Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Undoubtedly, one of the matters that Islam shows the most importance to is knowledge. In the Qur’an, which is the main source of our religion, it is seen that the words derived from the root of ilm [knowledge] are used in about 750 places. This number reveals the value of knowledge in terms of the message of the Qur’an. Allah (swt) mentions in the Quran; “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?”[1], “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.”[2], “Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.”[3] Allah (swt) clearly declared the value of knowledge and scholars.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

One of the names of Allah (swt) is al-Alim. This name means “hidden, open, past, future, knowing everything down to the smallest details”. The Qur’an explains the knowledge of our of Allah (swt) in the following verse: “And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” Allah (swt) also wanted us servants to show the necessary interest and dignity in knowledge. Allah (swt) says in the Quran; “So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur’an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”[4] He gave the message that we should seek knowledge. From an Islamic point of view, the main purpose of knowledge is “Marifatullah”.

In other words, it is knowing and knowing Allah properly. May Allah (swt) make us one of his fortunate servants who know him well.

Dear Jama’ah!

Of course, any information that is beneficial to people and society is valuable. Throughout history, Muslims have respected all kinds of knowledge and scientific knowledge that contribute to the progress of humanity and lead to the growth of societies. However, they have tried to stay away from knowledge that is not for the benefit of humanity. Rasulullah (saw) used to say: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that is not beneficial, and from a heart that does not fear (You), and from a soul that does not feel content and from a supplication that is not answered..”[5] A Muslim who has Islamic moral values ​​refrains from talking about matters of which he has no knowledge. He becomes an aspirant of knowledge that benefits him, and he becomes a preacher with that knowledge. And he is humble before the knowledge of Allah (swt).

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

It is of course important that Muslim generations receive education in modern educational institutions. However, they should do this to gain knowledge, earn food and be useful to people in the direction of Allah’s consent. In addition to the knowledge aimed at prospering this world, we should also be concerned about giving our children Islamic knowledge that will save our hereafter. For this reason, we must ensure the continuity of our children in the education programs of our mosques, especially in regions where we are a minority.

May Allah (swt) make us one of his servants who give importance to knowledge. Ameen!

[1] Surah Az-Zumar, 39:9

[2] Surah Al-Mujadila, 58:11

[3] Surah Fatir, 35:28

[4] Surah At-Taha, 20:114

[5] Tirmizî, Deavât, 68

Khutba: Importance of Knowledge