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1. SEPI
Writing Assignment1
1. According to the author, what constitutes true and beneficial knowledge in Islam?
Ans) The author states that knowledge in Islam consists of two types which are the experiential
knowledge of Allah and knowledge of the commandments of Allah. Experiential knowledge of
Allah is the type of knowledge that makes us feel nearness to Allah, love of Allah, fear of Allah
etc. Whereas, knowledge of the commandments of Allah refers to the knowledge of the divine
practices that Allah has ordered mankind to perform such as to offer prayers (Salat). By looking
at the reading we comprehend that the true and beneficial knowledge in Islam is the experiential
knowledge of Allah. The author again and again emphasizes on this fact by presenting various
Ayahs and Hadiths that mention the superiority of the experiential knowledge of Allah over the
knowledge of the commandments of Allah. Considering the reading we comprehend that Allah
prefers scholars over devout worshippers, and thus we conclude the fact that experiential
knowledge is the true and beneficial knowledge. This experiential knowledge is also known as
the “inner knowledge” which is present in the heart of man and is the true and beneficial
knowledge of Islam.
2. How does he define the righteous scholars?
Ans) The author defines the “righteous scholars” as the Heirs of the Prophet (May peace be upon
him) and that these people are the best of the scholars. By referring these scholars as the Heirs of

2. the Prophet (PBUH), the author means that these people are the successors of the Prophet
(PBUH). The righteous scholars are those scholars who possess the experiential knowledge of
Allah as well as the knowledge of the commandments of Allah. Other than that, they combine
the two types of knowledge with an intention that pleases Allah. Allah praises these types of
scholars by stating that everything in the world asks forgiveness from Allah for the righteous
scholars and that the Angels spread their wings for them. These scholars possess valuable
knowledge and what is most important is that they guide others to it as well. They truly fear
Allah and are aware of His names, commandments, attributes, what He loves and what He does
not love, His rulings etc.
3. How does this reading help you in understanding the reality of knowledge and scholars in
Islam? For example, you can discuss if you feel any change in your view on how you
conceive of knowledge and scholars in Islam after doing this reading. Similarly, you can
mention whether or not the reading helps to clarify your understanding of this topic, and
why. Likewise, you can discuss how the academic understanding of knowledge and scholars
in Islam differs from the popular media representations of this topic, and how that affects
you.
Ans) This reading made me realize that the knowledge of Allah is superior to the knowledge of
His commandments. However, this doesn’t mean that we all should learn the experiential
knowledge of Allah and abandon the knowledge of His commandments. The righteous scholars
are in fact those who possess both the knowledges and combine them together in their life. I
believe that all of us are supposed to learn the knowledge of Allah and also the basics of the

3. knowledge of the commandments of Allah. Allah loves those who seek to acquire His
knowledge and we should strive to do so and also perform the required Salah as we owe it to
Him. What I want to emphasize on mainly is that we should share the knowledge we learn with
others so that they may benefit from it as well. In this current era, Muslim people all around the
world believe that knowledge of Allah’s commandments is the greatest and they primarily focus
on it. The reason is that the experiential knowledge of Allah isn’t that widespread nowadays and
people aim to be devout worshippers to please Allah. Allah deserves all the worship in the world;
however, we shouldn’t abandon His knowledge but unfortunately that is what’s happening in the
world right now. The present scholars understand knowledge to be way different from what is
discussed in the reading and I believe the reason is that mankind is starting to abandon the
teachings of Quran and Sunnah which is the main source of beneficial knowledge. The reading
made me understand that the knowledge that exists in the current era isn’t actual knowledge but
the true knowledge was that of the Prophet (May peace be upon him) which Allah blessed him
with. The scholars have the purpose to possess the knowledge themselves and share it with
others but sadly, we’re in an epoch that rejects true knowledge as knowledge. It’s my opinion
now that people are turning ignorant and they’re procrastinating to learn true knowledge. This
reading has helped me understand all that based on logical proofs and also by stating various
verses from the Quran as well as Sunnah. Lastly, it’s my belief that we should follow our
Messenger as he was sent to mankind as a guide.