An Islamic Approach

2. Lecture 1: Islamic Approach to KnowledgeLecture 1: Islamic Approach to Knowledge
Dr. Asad ZamanDr. Asad Zaman

3. Why “for Muslims”?Why “for Muslims”?
Why not for everyone?Why not for everyone?
Islam has a unique approach to educationIslam has a unique approach to education
““Knowledge” has different meaning in IslamKnowledge” has different meaning in Islam
Prophet Mohammad SAW was sent as teacherProphet Mohammad SAW was sent as teacher
Western educationWestern education conflictsconflicts with Islamic values.with Islamic values.
We assume validity of Quran and Islam .We assume validity of Quran and Islam .
REJECT secular idea: There are realms of knowledge which have no relation toREJECT secular idea: There are realms of knowledge which have no relation to
religionreligion

4. Purpose : Living in Presence ofPurpose : Living in Presence of
GodGod
 Ehsan: Awareness of GodEhsan: Awareness of God
 Man and Jinn were created only for worship.Man and Jinn were created only for worship.
 He created Life and Death are to see who doesHe created Life and Death are to see who does
the best deeds.the best deeds.
 All actions of a Muslim are worship.All actions of a Muslim are worship.
 Study in a way such that this becomes worship.Study in a way such that this becomes worship.
 This is only possible for Muslim audience.This is only possible for Muslim audience.

5. Intentions: Why do we seekIntentions: Why do we seek
knowledge?knowledge?
 Quran: “O Allah, increase me in knowledge”Quran: “O Allah, increase me in knowledge”
 Allah SWT describes knowledge as a great giftAllah SWT describes knowledge as a great gift
 Prophet Mohammad SAW sent as a teacher.Prophet Mohammad SAW sent as a teacher.
 Man has potential to be Ahsan-e-Taqweem.Man has potential to be Ahsan-e-Taqweem.
 Eternal principles + local knowledge.Eternal principles + local knowledge.
 Knowledge of castles & cannons .Knowledge of castles & cannons .
 Feeding the poorFeeding the poor

6. Encouragement to SeekEncouragement to Seek
KnowledgeKnowledge
 Quran starts with IqraQuran starts with Iqra
 Praises Lord who gave man knowledge.Praises Lord who gave man knowledge.
 Teaches us to pray for increase in knowledge.Teaches us to pray for increase in knowledge.
 ““Seek knowledge from cradle to grave.”Seek knowledge from cradle to grave.”
 Aalim is superior to Abid like moon to stars.Aalim is superior to Abid like moon to stars.
 Ink of scholar is like the blood of a martyr.Ink of scholar is like the blood of a martyr.

7. Value & Effect of Knowledge.Value & Effect of Knowledge.
 Islam led Muslims to world leadership.Islam led Muslims to world leadership.
 Ignorance has led to decline.Ignorance has led to decline.
Seek knowledge forSeek knowledge for
 Self-Purification (Tazkiya)Self-Purification (Tazkiya)
 Spiritual Advance & TransformationSpiritual Advance & Transformation
 Seek to Transform OthersSeek to Transform Others
 Revolutionize the world.Revolutionize the world.

8. Contrasts: Purpose of LearningContrasts: Purpose of Learning
IslamicIslamic
 Seek Spiritual AdvanceSeek Spiritual Advance
 Seek to Serve Others, inSeek to Serve Others, in
order to Serve Allahorder to Serve Allah
 Seek USEFUL knowledge.Seek USEFUL knowledge.
Avoid USELESS knowledgeAvoid USELESS knowledge
 Engagement and StruggleEngagement and Struggle
 Justice even while beingJustice even while being
engaged.engaged.
WesternWestern
 Value according to MoneyValue according to Money
 Career advancementCareer advancement
 Seek to profit from othersSeek to profit from others
ignorance.ignorance.
 All knowledge is usefulAll knowledge is useful
 Neutral & DetachedNeutral & Detached
ObservationObservation
 Selfishness is natural for all.Selfishness is natural for all.

9. Fact/Value DistinctionFact/Value Distinction
IslamIslam
 All participants shareAll participants share
responsibility.responsibility.
 The Statistical ConsulantThe Statistical Consulant
must know what his analysismust know what his analysis
will be used for. He iswill be used for. He is
responsible for outcomes.responsible for outcomes.
 Data is chosen because ofData is chosen because of
values, is not objective asvalues, is not objective as
claimedclaimed
WestWest
 Scholars are scientists –Scholars are scientists –
values don’t impinge on factsvalues don’t impinge on facts
 Inventor of Atom Bomb notInventor of Atom Bomb not
responsible for deaths.responsible for deaths.
 We provide facts to policyWe provide facts to policy
makers. Policy makers usemakers. Policy makers use
norms to decide.norms to decide.
 Facts are objective, opinionsFacts are objective, opinions
unimportant.unimportant.

10. Islamic Rules for Teachers &Islamic Rules for Teachers &
StudentsStudents
Rules for Teachers:Rules for Teachers:
Students are precious: “mines of gold & silver”Students are precious: “mines of gold & silver”
Invite and facilitate learning.Invite and facilitate learning.
Value the time of students.Value the time of students.
Provide useful knowledge: dont “cover” bookProvide useful knowledge: dont “cover” book
Achieving this will often require research.Achieving this will often require research.

11. Rules for Students: SeekRules for Students: Seek
KnowledgeKnowledge
 with humility, Knowledge belongs only towith humility, Knowledge belongs only to
Allah, and He gives to whomsoever he wishes.Allah, and He gives to whomsoever he wishes.
 In obedience to Allah, who asks us to seek it.In obedience to Allah, who asks us to seek it.
 Do not seek it for status, or pride, or to makeDo not seek it for status, or pride, or to make
arguments.arguments.
 With effort and sacrifice, understanding that itWith effort and sacrifice, understanding that it
is a great treasure of Allah.is a great treasure of Allah.

12. Emulating the ProphetEmulating the Prophet
 Gratitude for what has been given to us:Gratitude for what has been given to us:
4:113 God has bestowed upon thee from on high this
divine writ and [given thee] wisdom, and has
imparted unto thee the knowledge of what thou
didst not know. And God's favour upon thee is
tremendous indeed

13. Act on Knowledge ObtainedAct on Knowledge Obtained
 We must put knowledge into practice:We must put knowledge into practice:
It is narrated by Jabir R.A. that the Prophet
S.A.W. stated that Knowledge is of two kinds.
One which enters the hearts, and that is the
useful knowledge. The other is only on the
tongue (without action or sincerety) and that is
argument of Allah against the son of Adam
A.S..

14. Summary: Islamic Versus SecularSummary: Islamic Versus Secular
 All knowledge is fromAll knowledge is from
AllahAllah
 Seek knowledge forSeek knowledge for
pleasure of Allahpleasure of Allah
 How to use knowledgeHow to use knowledge
of Statistics to pleaseof Statistics to please
Allah?Allah?
 Two types ofTwo types of
knowledge: wordlyknowledge: wordly
versus religiousversus religious
 Seek knowledge forSeek knowledge for
worldly profitsworldly profits