INTRODUCTION
The word IQRA is the very first word in the Qur’an revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) at the Cave of Hira. It is an imperative command to "Read" or "Recite." Its implications are vast, extending far beyond the simple act of reading a physical text, thus making the acquisition of knowledge obligatory on every Muslim.
It is important that the acquisition of knowledge must be God-centred. The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to seek refuge in Allah from useless knowledge. All learning and intellectual pursuits must be undertaken with the conscious awareness that all knowledge originates from Allah.
There however is another type of knowledge that transcends beyond what meets the eye. The Prophet Moses experienced this with Khidir. “He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding,” (Surah Baqarah 2:269). Unfortunately, Moses was unable to acquire this knowledge.
INTELLECT and INTELLECTUALISM
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason,” (Surah Baqarah 2:164).
Iblis is exceptional. He is considered to be the Father of Logic and Reasoning. His argument was valid about having to submit to Adam, a lump of clay. A similar intellectual approach is adopted by advocates of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Choice. However, Allah had deemed it otherwise. A true Believer (Mo’min) complies with this Qur’anic verse: “The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination." (Surah Baqarah 2:285). Iblis had failed to submit and obey Allah. He used his intellect and intellectualism to uphold his arrogance and righteousness. The outcome is expressed in this Qur’anic verse: And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze," (Surah Mulk 67:10)
Recently, I was forwarded an article for the benefit of non-Muslims by a friend, which dealt with the meaning of Islam and being a Muslim in relation to submission to the One True God by all the Prophets. To many non-Muslims, notably Christians, it is an eye-opener, because like the Jews, they too have this notion that Islam is a religion after Christianity, with no connection or relationship whatsoever with Muhammad (s.a.w.), whereas all their so-named Jewish or Christian prophets were worshipers of the same One and Only God, whom Muslims refer to by name as Allah, and whose line ends with Muhammad (s.a.w.).
At the point of departure from this existence, knowledge will not save you but Firmness of Conviction will. The Traditional approach to Islam begins with Rukun Islam (The Fundamentals of Islam). At this level of understanding, everything can be expressed in a mundane context. However, when you transcend to Rukun Iman (The Articles of Faith), everything is accepted on pure belief. It is based on: “O you who believe…”
We all possess knowledge on Islam, yet countless have passed on to Hell due to corruption, self-enrichment, abuse of power, mismanagement etc., without any real concern or fear in their hearts. Their children in turn have acquired this ill-gotten wealth without any fear too, which clearly shows that all this Intellectual Knowledge on Islam is part of our menu in daily life. To this Allah reminds us in Surah Takathur: “Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you. Until you visit the graveyards. No! You are going to know. Then no! You are going to know. No! If you only knew with knowledge of certainty...”
DISCERNMENT
“And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness,” (Surah Shams 91:8). From this Qur’anic verse, we know that Allah has granted us the capacity to recognise right from wrong; good from bad. If you reflect upon this Qur’anic verse, it appears to be straightforward: that is our general understanding of it. However, when you view a person’s upbringing, his environment, his religious beliefs, they all shape his approach to discernment. If you view it from the perspective of Qada’ and Qadar, your destiny to some extent has been preordained.
To be honest, Allah made you what you are, and you are living your life as it has been planned for you or ordained for you (a Sufi perspective). We live amongst people who possess their own perception of life. Some can tell you about every ‘alam’ (spiritual world) in Sufi existence without every enjoying any state. All this intellectualism has a purpose and serves to a certain point but one needs to transcend from being just a Muslim’ to a Mo’min. Discernment in the right context, refers to the value system established by Allah in the Qur’an and Ahadith. It is NOT based on our assumptions or evaluations as a right.
GOING BEYOND
One of the major reasons why Muslims dominated the world in the past was due to their acquisition of worldly and spiritual knowledge, and when you look at us today, we have been overtaken by theological debate and enforcement, rather that clarity and guidance.
The Qur’an is not an Encyclopedia. It provides us with a framework of guidelines, which in turn have been elaborated and explained further by the Prophet (s.a.w.). This format has been observed by the scholars of Islam. This format has been expanded upon to incorporate further elaboration to existing foundations within the framework of Islam. Anything that does not comply with this standard approached is viewed as the logic and reasoning of Iblis. However, there is a need to differentiate the Intellectualism of Iblis and that which does not have any direct reference to the Qur’an and Ahadith but through an analogical argument, indirectly based on both the Qur’an and Ahadith.
In one of my articles on my blog, I have theoretically and intellectually proven that Allah is within you (not in you), through His breath into Adam (a.s.). This very ‘breath’ or ‘spark’ is the very thing that keeps us alive. I further said, “Allah is within you; outside of you; everywhere and in everything. He is Creation, Manifest through His Divine Names and Attributes.” Ibnu Arabi has made mention of these and many things beyond standard orthodox perceptions. There is nothing wrong with these perceptions because they all exists within the Framework of Tawheed.
Every beginner in Islam, needs to acquire knowledge. However, like a person shopping for eggs in the market, you start off by seeking large eggs but ultimately eat the egg, not the shell. Every coconut has a husk and shell but you are interested in its kernel because it provides you with coconut-milk to cook your curry. You cannot be a L-Driver throughout your whole life. You need to transcend from being just a Tabliqh follower, carrying luggage from place to place, sleeping in mosques, just to be spiritually inspired to servitude.
Jalaluddin Rum of Turkey, described this situation by presenting two groups of artisans. One dealt with an intricate carving and another group who polished a brass sheet. It resulted in the intricate carving being reflected in the polished brass sheet. What all this signifies is that while it is very important to abide by the Shari’ah of Islam (Fiqh/Hukum), it is the Spiritualty of Islam that survives.
Every non-Muslim needs to come out of his shell of righteousness and view Islam with an open mind, based on what Islam is and not based on viewing Muslims worldwide. Every Muslim too needs to come out of his own coconut shell and view Islam in a wider context and not just in a literal, ritualistic, political context but through its moral righteous content in the form of character, trustworthiness, reliability, in living up to Allah’s expectations.
BRIEF CONCLUSION
In brief, I am of the view that every beginner in Islam (including Muslims), needs to be enlightened about Islam not only in an intellectual manner but in a spiritual context. Most westerners do not go along with the ‘must accept’ or 'must obey' attitude over faith and belief. However, as expressed earlier, one cannot remain a L-Driver throughout one’s life, depending on deeds and rewards like kids do. There is a need to transcend to a level of submission to Allah, seeking nothing but His Pleasure without any expectations, lest you corrupt your intentions with rewards for doing anything. There is a need to focus on one’s self. Looking ‘inward’ rather than ‘outward’ deals with self-purification and refinement. It leads to our ultimate destination. It ultimately determines our ability to remain steadfast in faith and practice, lest we are consumed by the ‘glitter of this worldly existence’. [Mokhtar Stork, 14 Dec 2025]
