Alhamdulillah for the opportunity that Allah has given me today. For being able to deliver the khutbah and as well as leading the Jumu’ah (Friday Prayer) in front of other Muslims that work and live within this community. May the true taqwa make us among His slaves that attain blissfulness and success in this world and the Hereafter.
The title of today’s khutbah is Seeking Knowledge Has No End to It.
Seeking knowledge (‘ilm) is an obligation upon every Muslim individual. With knowledge, we will be able to know Allah SWT, fulfill all of His Commands, and avoid all of His prohibitions. Moreover, serving as vicegerents or leaders on this earth also necessitates knowledge so as to be able to administer and bring prosperity on Allah’s earth, as stipulated by Him SWT. The Muslim ummah that is knowledgeable will attain success in this world, even more in the Hereafter.
The significance of seeking knowledge is mentioned in verse 122 of Surah at- Tawbah:
“And it is not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion and warn their people when they return to them that they might be cautious.”
Through this verse, Allah SWT provided a leeway for those that are seeking knowledge to not participate in military expeditions so that they will remain behind and take on the role of educating and guiding others. Allah SWT raises the darajah (degrees) of the believers as compared to the disbelievers. Amongst the believers, Allah SWT raises the darajah of those having knowledge. It goes to show that imaan and ‘ilm are important aspects that must be given grave emphasis when Allah SWT has combined both matters in the verse recited.
Allah SWT also says in Surah al-Mujaadalah verse 58:
“…Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given
knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”
There are other virtues bestowed by Allah SWT upon those that strive in the pursuit of knowledge. In the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
“Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.”
(at-Tirmidhi)
The path in seeking knowledge is always wide open. There are many academic institutions that offer various lifelong learning programs through certifications and diplomas in various fields including Islamic studies. Moreover, many mosques are ever filled with lessons and dawrah (intensives) on a daily basis. Knowledge can also be attained through lectures on TV and radio stations delivered by certified teachers and du‘aat (callers to Islam). Let us hasten to seize the very opportunity to gain sound knowledge in various
fields that are being offered. However, we must learn from teachers whom are recognized within their respective fields. This is imperative because nowadays, the society is exposed to strange ideologies, perverted knowledge, and many others. Some became extreme, fanatical, obsessed, and others. All these diseases will surely become cancer within the society. Hence, the cure necessitates possessing authentic knowledge.
‘Ilm can easy be attained through reading. Let us select reading materials that are knowledge-based, not purely entertainment. Nurturing the reading culture so as to gain knowledge is a command from Allah SWT, as He mentions in verses 1-5 of soorah al-‘Alaq:
“Recite in the name of your Lord who created – Created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous – Who taught by the pen – Taught man that which he knew not.”
A good and suitable place to increase one’s knowledge is the library. In addition to books, at times the library administration will organize many beneficial programs for its visitors. Therefore, let us cultivate library visitations as our weekly routine so that we will be exposed to a knowledge-filled atmosphere. One step to the library yields a plethora of knowledge. Firm imaan begets utmost conviction.
To sum up everything, let us altogether take beneficial lessons upon the following matters:
- The Muslim ummah must have certainty that seeking knowledge is a command from Allah SWT.
- The Muslim ummah must seek knowledge continuously especially Islamic knowledge as the beacon of life, until it breathes its last.
- The Muslim ummah must always strive in seeking knowledge so that it will be able to fulfill all ‘ibaadah (worship) required by Allah SWT, hence attaining His Mercy.
I hope from this sharing that I have shared today, everyone who is reading this will gain some benefits out of it and most importantly, will try to seek knowledge regardless of age, background and status because it has no end to it.
Adli Adnan
Head of Tarbiyah Cluster Isma UK-Eire
17 January 2020
Source:
1. Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) Khutbah’s Collection. Translated and modified
to meet the local audience in Rhyl, North Wales.
