Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Undoubtedly, one of the most fundamental characteristics of the religion of Islam is the value it attaches to reason, knowledge, learning, research, thinking and contemplation. Allah (swt) says, “So will they not understand?”[1], “Do they not see”[2] and “Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an?”^[3]. Because the religion of Islam was sent down to the darkness of ignorance to bring people to the light of truth.

Dear Jama’at!

We can clearly understand how important our religion is to knowledge from the following hadith: “Indeed the world is cursed. What is in it is cursed, except for remembrance of Allah, what is conducive to that, the knowledgeable person and the learning person.”[4] In this hadith, it is emphasised that all worldly things that prevent th remembrance of Allah (swt) are cursed and it is necessary to remember Allah (swt), to do deeds that are pleased with Him, and to constantly seek knowledge that will bring us closer to Him in order to achieve happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.[5]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Those who turn away and do not think about the verses of Allah (swt) and do not think about it are reminded in many parts of the Qur’an. So much so that even believers who have internalised their faith are asked to contemplate and strengthen their faith. In Surah An-Nisa, our Lord says: “O you who have believed, believe1 in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before.”[6]

Because, it is difficult for the servant to reach the correct belief that will form a shield against doubts without contemplating. In this context, in Surah Az-Zumar mentions, “‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.”[7]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The verses of the Qur’an are sent down for the improvement of the society and not to sit on shelves. Regarding this, Allah (swt) says: “Rather, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.”[8]

From the time of our Prophet Muhammad (saw) to the present day, the scholars of our ummah have made great efforts to preserve and spread knowledge through different means. Rasulullah (saw) said: Be a scholar, a student, a devotee, or a follower; do not be the fifth type lest you be ruined.”[9]. Our ummah has always respected gaining knowledge and scholars by observing with this prophetic warning.

Our duty is to identify the opportunities that will enable us and our family members to develop and benefit from them. Let’s enrol our children in weekend classes and do what is necessary for them to be successful. Let’s direct our youth to secondary education, further studies and various other youth programs. Let’s continue our journey of knowledge from the cradle to the grave by means of Islamic Theology courses, House Lectures, Qalam education academy, seminars and similar studies.

May Allah (swt) increase our knowledge and the respect we have for knowledge and scholars. May he make us one of his powerful servants who contemplate and strengthen their faith. Ameen.

[1] Surah Yasin, 36:68

[2] Surah Taha, 20:89

[3] Surah Muhammad, 47:24

[4] Tirmizî, Zühd, 14, H.No: 2322

[5] Bkz. Mubârekfûrî: Tuhfetü’l-Ahvezî (1990), 6/504-505

[6] Surah An-Nisa, 4:136

[7] Surah Az-Zumar, 39:9

[8] Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:49

[9] İbn-i Bette: El-İbâne, 1/341, H. No: 210

Khutba-Our Understanding of Knowledge and Faith