The Pleasures of Learning
The rise of Muslims to the zenith of civilization in a period of four decades was based on Al-lslam's emphasis on learning. This is obvious when one takes a look at the Qur'an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaahu alayHi wa AaliHii Wasallam) which are filled with references to learning, education, observation, and the use of reason. The very first verse of the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet of Al Islam (SallAllaahu alayHi wa AaliHii Wasallam) on the night of 27th of Ramadan in 611 AD reads:
"Read: In the name of thy
Lord who created man from a clot. Read: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who
taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not."
"And they shall say had we
but listened or used reason, we would not be among the inmates of the burning
fire."
"Are those who have
knowledge and those who have no knowledge alike? Only the men of understanding
are mindful. "
(Quran, 39:9)
And the Qur'an exhorts
the Muslims to do scientific research:.
Every Muslim man's and every Muslim woman's prayer should be:
The following traditions of the Prophet SallAllaahu alayHi wa AaliHii Wasallam)
supplement the foregoing
teachings of the Qur'an in the
following way:
1. Seek
knowledge "even though it be in China."
2. "The
acquisition of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, whether male or
female."
3. "The
ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr."
4. "Seek
knowledge from the cradle to the grave."
5. "God
has revealed to me, 'Whoever walks in the pursuit of knowledge I facilitate for
him the way to heaven.'
6. "The
best form of worship is the pursuit of knowledge."
7. "Scholars
should endeavor to spread knowledge and provide education to people who have
been deprived of it. For, where knowledge is hidden it disappears."
8. Someone
asked the Prophet (SallAllaahu alayHi wa AaliHii Wasallam)
:
"Who is the biggest scholar?" He replied: "He who is constantly
trying to learn from others, for a scholar is ever hungry for more
knowledge."
9. "Seek
for knowledge and. wisdom, or whatever the 'vessel from which it flows, you
will never be the loser."
10.
"Thinking deep for one hour (with sincerity) is better than
70 years of (mechanical) worship."
11.
"Worship, without knowledge, has no goodness in it and
knowledge without understanding has no goodness in it. And the recitation of the
Qur'an, which is riot thoughtful has no goodness in it."
12.
"To listen to the words of the learned and to instill unto
others the lessons of science is better than religious exercises."
13.
"Acquire knowledge: it enables its possessor to distinguish
right from the wrong, it lights the way to heaven; it is Our friend in the
desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless- it guides us to
happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an Ornament among friends and an
armor against enemies."
The Islamic Empire for more than 1,000 years remained the most
advanced and civilized nation in the world. .This is because Al-Islam stressed
the importance and respect of learning, forbade destruction, developed in
Muslims the respect for authority, discipline, and tolerance for other religions. The teachings of Qur'an and Sunnah drove many Muslims to their accomplishments in science and
medicine.
By the tenth century their zeal and enthusiasms for learning
resulted in all essential Greek medical and scientific writings being
translated into Arabic in Damascus, Cairo, and Baghdad. Arabic became the
international language of learning and diplomacy. The center of scientific
knowledge and activity shifted eastward, and Baghdad emerged as the capitol of
the scientific world. The Muslims became scientific innovators with originality
and productivity.
For example Islamic medicine is one of the most famous and best
known facets of Islamic civilization, and in which the Muslims most excelled.
The Muslims were the great torchbearers of international scientific research.
Some of the best and most eloquent praises of science ever written came from
the pens of Muslim scientists who considered their work to be acts of worship.
The same motives led to the establishment of Al-Azhar (800 AD) the first university in the world. They hit the
"source ball of knowledge" over the fence to Europe. In the words of
Campbell, "The European medical system is Arabian not only in origin but
also in its structure. The Arabs are the intellectual for-bearers of the
Europeans."
One of the secrets of success in any profession is to be the most
learned or best-informed person in his/her own profession. Learning is a
pleasure. It is not, then one should cultivate the enjoyment associated with
learning. Although the pleasure of learning is universal, there are many dull
incurious people in the world. There are several reasons for this. Some people
are made dull by bad teaching, isolation and following a routine life-style.
For some people it is the pressure of hard work and poverty. For those who are
rich, their ephemeral and trivial delights come in the way of the pleasures of
learning. The human mind can survive not only poverty but also even wealth with
luck, determination and guidance. For example I come from a poor family and due
to poor teaching I lost interest in learning mathematics. As a result I scored
only 39% in mathematics (35% required for a pass) in S. S. L. C. (Secondary
School Leaving Certificate, India) in the Intermediate Science examination I
scored 50% in mathematics. When I entered the Bachelor of Science degree class,
I realized there is no way I can escape from mathematics and I resolved to
conquer mathematics. With determination I found pleasure in learning
mathematics by myself. The pleasure was akin to one derives in falling love
with his/her beloved girl/boy friend or would be wife/husband. This pleasure
changed my whole life. I started to score 100% in mathematics in all the class
tests and mid-term examinations. In the final B.Sc. examination I scored more than
70% in mathematics.
Take the example of Archimedes. When he discovered the principle
of specific gravity by observing his own displacement of water in a bath tub,
he leaped out with great joy, and shouted, "Eureka, Eureka!" ("I
have found it. I have found it!"). He was overwhelmed with joy and ran
naked. All children possess the same instinct which prompted his outburst, and
the rapture of its Gratification.
Learning is a natural pleasure. This pleasure is inborn and
instinctive. The pleasure of learning is one of the essential pleasures of the
human race. Without learning, survival itself is threatened. It is said that
the propagation of the human race might be endangered if the knowledge of sex
through seeing, reading or hearing is withheld from everyone.
The process of learning starts right after birth. It is true that
babies who can barely talk investigate problems with all the zeal and
excitement of explorers, make discoveries with the passion and absorption of
dedicated scientists. At the end of each successful investigation, one can see
on the tiny face an expression of innocent and pure heartfelt pleasure. The
process of physical growth stops when a boy or girl reaches puberty, that is
with the on set of menarche in the girls and with the change in the voice and
growth of moustache and beard in boys. After puberty it is impossible to
increase the height both in boys and girls. It is only possible to increase
their widths by fattening. On the other hand the mental faculties grow from
birth until death. At some point in our lifetime, the physical body becomes
sick or ill and gradually dies; even the emotions become duller. But the mind
continues to live, and even grows more lively and active, enjoys itself more,
works and plays with more expansion and delight. I have seen grand parents
obtaining B. A., M. A and Ph. D. degrees at the ages of 70, 80 or 90. There are
many examples in the history of Art, Music and Science, of both men and women
who significantly contributed and lead mentally productive lives at their ripe
old ages. My own grandmother at 90 has vivid memories and narrates events,
which occurred 70 or 80 years ago in her young age, very clearly. Learning
extends our lives into new dimensions. It is cumulative. Instead of diminishing
in time, like health and strength, its dividends go on increasing, provided one
continues to learn throughout life and integrate the thoughts and make learning
harmonious. One should make it a point to learn at least one new information
each day. Now one can learn even during sleep. This is accomplished with
headphones attached to the ears and repeats playing of phonographs or taped
cassettes. This method of sleep-learning is found most useful in linguistics-
to learn new languages.
The pleasure of learning is not confined to learning from
textbooks, which are too often tedious. But it does include learning from book
magazines (periodicals), newspapers, and movies. T. V., radio and traveler when
you stand in a big library in front of thousands of books do not think they are
lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. Each has its own
voice, which is as inaudible as the radiobroadcast waves falling directly on the
ears. Just as one switches on the radio to hear. So does one just need to open
a book to hear the voice far distant in time and space? One can hear the voice
speaking, mind to mind, and heart to heart. Reading of books gives you two
different delights. One is the pleasure of understanding the unknown and the
unexpected. The other pleasure is of deepening one's knowledge of a specified
field.
Apart from books, learning means keeping the mind open and active
to receive all kinds of experience. The Mahabharatha says " Learn from the
Environment and absorb the good things." As pointed out earlier there is great
emphasis on learning and seeking knowledge in Islam. The Prophet Mohammed (SallAllaahu alayHi wa AaliHii Wasallam) ordered Muslims to be active in
their search for learning, crossing oceans and continents if necessary. "
Seek knowledge even in China" he said. Learning also means learning to practice
one' s own professional skills-that of a surgeon, musician or craftsman.
Otherwise one can at least develop the ability l appreciate an art. Crafts and
hobbies lead you into fresh fields of enjoyment and give you relaxation and
activity without tension. You should know that tension is the prime cause of
heart attacks, ulcers, hypertension, and most of the human diseases. Travel is
an important part of the pleasures of learning. There are many examples of
best-informed people who never read books and newspapers, but acquired
excellent knowledge through travelling. One should travel with an open mind,
all alert eye and a wish to understand other people and other places.
Everybody knows ''Knowledge is Power" but now I can say
"Knowledge is Wealth". For the more learned you are, the more money
you can earn. It is fitting here to tell you the story of Diogenes, the great
Greek philosopher who lived during the time of Alexander the Great. Diogenes
was a very learned man and he shunned both power and wealth. Hence he was
called a cynic. He was known to have wandered searching for an honest man
carrying a lantern during day and night. He gave up everything he possessed,
except a coconut shell for drinking water. One day he saw a man drinking water
forming a cup with his hand. After seeing this Diogenes threw away his last
possession the coconut shell. The name of Diogenes spread throughout Greece.
Alexander the Great heard about
Diogenes and one day decided to see him. Mounted on horseback, Alexander the
Great went to Diogenes who was sitting on the ground. Alexander said ' Oh
Diogenes, I have heard a great deal about you and your life. I am very much
impressed by your life and it is my earnest desire to help you in whatever way
I can. Please let me know your desires so that I can fulfill them". To
which Diogenes replied "Your Excellency my only request is that you get
aside and allow the sun's rays to fall on my body." Alexander the Great
was deeply moved by Diogenes's reply and said "If I were not Alexander the
Great. I would be Diogenes." Now the point I want to make here is that
Diogenes never went to Alexander the Great, but that Alexander the Great came
to Diogenes for he was such a learned philosopher.
There are many people in this world who have played themselves to
death, or eaten and drunk themselves to death. Nobody ever died because of
thinking or learning. People, who avoid learning, or abandon it, find no joy in
life, find that life is drained dry. No learner has ever run short of subjects
to explore. The pleasures of learning lead to happiness. One can live longest
and best and most rewardingly by attaining and preserving the happiness of
learning. Learning is everyone's birthright. Everyone - young or old, rich or
poor, male or female, has access to learning. Exercise your birthright.
Remember what you have learned cannot be stolen by others.
Extract from:
http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_1_50/pleasures_of_learning.htm
With thanks from
Mr. Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D. President,
God bless the
entire humanity
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