The Religion of Islam too has exhorted its followers to...

The Religion of Islam too has exhorted its followers to pursue the path of learning from the cradle to the grave. The Prophet of Islam has said: Search for knowledge is the duty of every Muslim. Allah likes the seekers of knowledge. [2] Imam Jafar Sadiq says: Even if my companions are motivated to acquire [1] Usool al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Page 48. [2] Ibid., Page 30. knowledge at the threat of a whipping, I would approve of it.

[1] The Prophet of Islam has said: Barring two types of persons, there is no reward for anyone else; First the erudite scholar and then he who is busy acquiring knowledge. [2] Imam Jafar Sadiq said: Persons are of three types: (1) The erudite scholar, (2) The seeker of knowledge, and (3) The others are mere a heap of garbage. [3] Hazrat Luqman, the Prophet, told his son: Spare some time in the day and night for reading and acquiring knowledge. If you stop reading, your knowledge will dissipate.

[4] Imam Jafar Sadiq said: Search for knowledge in all conditions is absolutely necessary. [5] The Prophet of Islam has said: Search for knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and every Muslim woman. [6] Imam Jafar Sadiq says: [1] Usool al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Page 33. [2] Ibid., 33. [3] Ibid., Page 34. [4] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 1, Page 169. [5] Ibid., Page 172. [6] Ibid., Page 177. If the people knew the uses of knowledge, they would have tried to acquire it even at the cost of their very lives.

For this purpose they would have undertaken hazardous sea voyages. [1] The Prophet has said: If I spent one day without adding to the store of my knowledge, I would consider that day unlucky for me. [2] It is the duty of the parents to send their children to schools for acquiring knowledge of reading and writing.

Islam has very clear directions in this regard for the followers of the faith: Imam Jafar Sadiq says: A child plays for seven years, studies for seven years and for another seven years learns about Right (Halal) and Wrong (Haram). [3] The Prophet of Islam has said: A son has three rights over his father: (1) The father must select a good name for him, (2) The father should teach him to read and write, and (3) when he grows up, get him a spouse.

[4] When a child is taken to the school, and the teacher instructs him to say Bism Allah (In the name of Allah Almighty), Allah will spare the childs parents from [1] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 1, Page 177. [2] Majma al-Zawaid, Vol. 1, Page 127. [3] Mustadrak, Vol. 2, Page 645. [4] Ibid., Page 625. the fire of the Hell!