The Islamic ‘dilemma’

"Read, in the name of thy God who created; created man out of a clot of congealed blood. Read and thy God is Most Bountiful. He who taught with the pen (writing and reading). Taught man that which he knew not."  

[Surah Al-‘Alaq, Verse 1-5]

   These are the first few verses of the holy book of Quran. Allah the almighty, ordered us humans to read, and seek knowledge. Thus, it is clear, that the propagation of the religion itself is through the means of knowledge. Thus regardless of any aspects of knowledge, it would be considered acceptable, be it in the teachings of aqidah or ibadah, right to the more ‘western’ types of knowledge such as science and even entrepreneurship. Specializing in a more ‘secular’ part of education does not make you any less of a Muslim and vice versa. But from the views of a portion of the community, there is a bold line that separates the knowledge of the deen, and the knowledge of worldly matter. Through this arguable point of view, it may seem wrong for one to specialize in a ‘worldly’ field and would prefer him/her to pursue all into the knowledge of the deen.

   But, let us take a look at an example, the man who contributes most of what we know as Algebra today, Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khawarizmi.  He specializes in the field of modern mathematics. By knowing this fact, does it make him less of a Muslim?

   The world needs to have individuals that could erase the lines between theological knowledge and other secular knowledge thus applying it into the world that he/she lives in. Having individuals who could lead the community onto thinking right, would lead to a nation that could see, and think right as well based on facts and pure rationale by the guidance of Al-Quran and Sunnah.

   We need to step up our game, in the eyes of the world. Yes, we are oppressed, we may appear as a community that believes in terrorism but that doesn’t stop us from achieving greatness of the nation through the power of knowledge. Wake up fellow Muslims. It is time to lead by example.

I shall quote from an American author, Tim Ferris, ‘’Someday is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.’’

   So act now. 

Editor: Hadri Hadi bin Md Yusof

Economic and Welfare Bureau 2012/ 2013

Muslim Society (MSOC)

International Medical University (IMU) Bukit Jalil.