THE CONCEPT OF ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE
The written characters, the words and the teaching of the written words are not llm (knowledge). The study of books, instruction and all things related to tuition and study are mere external forms and representations of llm like pictures or images of objects are not the actual objects. Since the words represent and are indicative of Ilm, they are figuratively described as llm. Among the definitions of llm given by the authorities some appear hereunder.
(1) Knowledge is Noor [Light] and ignorance is zulmat [darkness].
(2) Knowledge is that entity which no thief can steal, no eliminator can eliminate, no divider can divide. Fire cannot burn it; the ocean cannot drown it and worms cannot devour it. It remains attached to the Aalim. Wherever he goes and in whatever condition he may be in.
(3) Aini said: The Ulama differ in the definition of llm. Some say that, it is indefinable while others aver that it can be defined. The best. definition is: Knowledge is an attribute among the attributes of the nafs. It produces perfect recognition in the metaphysical realm.
(4) Hadhrat Ali [radiallahu anhu] said: llm is an everlasting treasure which will not perish.
(5) Ziyaad Bin Labeed (radiallahu anhu) said: Nabi [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] while explaining a certain matter said: That will occur when ilm disappears.
[Ziyaad] said: 0 Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam ]! How will llm disappear while we are reciting the Quraan and are imparting the Quraan. to our offspring and they to their offspring until the Day of Qiyaamah?
Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] said: Alas! 0 Ziyaad! I thought you were among the most intelligent in Madinah. What! Do these Jews and Christians not recite the Taurah and the Injeel while they do not practice on anything of these Books?
In Kaukab it is said: llm has no reality if unaccompanied by amal [practice], like the Ahl-e-Kitaab who are like asses loaded with books, for they derive no benefit from their knowledge.
In Mirqaat it appears:
An Aalim who does not act according to his knowledge is like a jaahil or worse. In fact, he is like an ass loading books. These people are like animals or more astray.
These statements show that llm is not books or what is written in books. Words and expositions are not llm. These are merely indicators of knowledge or reflections of knowledge. They create in one the desire for the acquisition of knowledge.
When Allah Taala desired to send the Noor of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) into this lowly and material world so that faidh (spiritual benefit) may be imparted to creation, He did not send it (the Noor) in its original form, but dispatched that Noor via a medium because we lack the capability of deriving benefit from that Noor in its original state. Even if we can derive some benefit from that Noor in its original form, it will be limited and without our knowledge. It would have been a Faidh which accrued to us unconsciously. It would have been like the light from the sun. We derive benefit from it, but not by our volition. The relationship of instruction (taleem) and the acquisition of knowledge [taallum) could not have been established with pure Noor in its original state. Thus the true purpose would have remained unattained. And, the true purpose of the dispatch of this Noor into this material realm is, in fact, this taleem and taallum. Thus Allah Taala sent Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in material form, with a physical body for our benefit.
In the same way llm is too a Noor which Allah Taala sent for our benefit in the form of words and inscriptions. Thus, Ilm is not mere words and inscriptions, but is in reality a Noor bestowed to us in the form of letters and words so that we may attain via this medium the haqaaiq, ma-aarif and laws (i.e. the realities of the Noor of knowledge. Alas! By afar and great, people are unaware of this transcendental reality. It is because of this ignorance that nowadays the acquisition of mere words and letters is considered a great achievement and excellence. But, the Noor of knowledge through understanding and insight is not acquired thereby.