The prophets (‘a) and knowledge Under the motto of teaching and training...

The prophets (‘a) and knowledge Under the motto of teaching and training, the prophets ( ‘a ) have always embarked upon propagating the religion and conveying the divine message. They exerted most of their efforts in removing the obstacles along the way of ‘search for knowledge’. The prophets ( ‘a ) were often hated because of their incessant struggle against ignorance, superstition and blind following.

“No prophet has come with a mission other than inviting his people to desist from blindly following their forefathers and the ancients, asking them to reflect and freeing them from the bondage of dominant or prevailing unpleasant traditions.”[^4] The following famous account is familiar to all. One day the Holy Prophet ( ṣ ) saw two groups in the mosque—one group was busy in worship and devotional acts, and the other was engaged in learning and seeking knowledge.

By conveying a hint that showed the value of knowledge in the sight of the prophets ( ‘a ), he expressed more pleasure towards the group that was engaged in learning and seeking knowledge. Yes, the learned and the ignorant are not equal and in the religious value system; the learned, on account of the knowledge they possess, are always superior to the ignorant.

Even a little knowledge of religious teachings and principles is an indication of literacy and love of knowledge, and everyone must know that religion is not a hindrance to knowledge but rather its vanguard. How could the religion whose motto is, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave” encourage ignorance, illiteracy and blind following? The following statement of the Holy Prophet ( ṣ ) to Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī ( ‘a ) in this regard is quite interesting: “O ‘Alī!

In the race for nearness to God, if you mount the horse of knowledge, learning and reflection, you will be ahead of everybody including those who hasten toward God by means of worship, prayer and fasting, and you will attain divine proximity.”[^5] 2. The prophets (‘a) and empirical sciences To know and understand properly the positions of science and religion is so important for us.