How to Seek Knowledge as a Muslim

This article was written in collaboration with Ustaz Muhd Saiful Alam Shah and Ustaz Abdullah Al-Muaz from Office of the Mufti. Articles on Muslim.Sg may be reproduced electronically or in print with prior permission from Muslim.Sg. Proper credit must be given to the author(s) and Muslim.Sg.

Seeking Guidance From Those Who Are Well-Versed

In the pursuit of a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings, it is essential that we seek guidance from knowledgeable and reputable religious scholars, known as asatizah, who are ARS-certified teachers.

This practice of seeking knowledge and guidance from the learned is a long-standing fundamental and universal tradition of our human history. In fact, the Quran emphasises this principle clearly:

فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

“If you do not know, then ask those who have knowledge”

(Surah Al-Anfal, 16:43)

When it comes to religious texts and religious sciences, our asatizah plays a pivotal role in providing insights, interpretations, and advice, including on matters of faith. Their wisdom and expertise serve as a guiding light when we seek to strengthen our connection with our faith and lead a fulfilling religious life.

Read: 3 Things Every Muslim Needs To Know About Seeking Knowledge

Look out for onsite and online classes at Learnislam.sg 

In the famous classical manual on seeking knowledge, Ta‘lim al-Muta‘allim Tariq al-Ta‘allum (Instructing the Student on the Manner of Learning), it was recorded that Hakim As-Samarqandi advised the following:

“When you go to Bukhara,^[1] do not rush to choose between the various Imams (scholars), but settle down for a couple of months and reflect on your choice of a teacher. For if you (quickly made up your mind to) go to a scholar and invest your time learning under his tutelage, you may find (later) that his teaching is not suitable or appealing to you. (Because of this) You may leave him and go to another teacher. No blessings will come to you by studying in such a manner. 

So take a couple of months to reflect on choosing your teacher and consult (others) in your choices so that you don’t have to leave and withdraw from the teacher (that you were invested in). (It is better) that you remain with him until your studies have prospered and you profit from it.”

How Do I Start Learning About Islam?

From this advice, we can deduce many lessons to learn from. We shall highlight a few:

1. The importance of finding a teacher or a Murabbi (a religious teacher who offers both religious education and guidance) to engage with and guide us.

2. Especially in choosing a teacher to learn about our faith, we must be respectfully critical in our judgement. For example, just because a person may sound spirited in his or her lectures, it doesn’t always mean that it is the best advice or if the teaching suits our context. Each of us is responsible to make our own assessment. Not every teacher can understand and give guidance which is suitable for our context. The ARS (Asatizah Recognition Scheme) is useful to ensure and affirm that our teachers are aware of our unique context as Muslims living in Singapore.

Having local teachers who understand the context well is really important. Al-Imam Al-Qurtubi mentioned in his tafsir: “..(The public) must seek a learned person who lives in the same era/time (zaman) and country (balad), and inquire him about his pressing issue..”^[2] This statement emphasises the importance of seeking guidance from local religious teachers who are not only intellectually capable to address issues but also has a good understanding of the dynamic context.

3. Do not rush too quickly to make conclusions. Learning about our religion and its sciences can help us align our hearts with faith, thus fostering a sense of fervent passion to learn deeper. This is one of the many benefits of seeking knowledge. However, we need to be careful in our pursuits and to not rush in making conclusions. Developing a sense of intellectual humility is a universal value that is often under-emphasised. The advice above reminds us the importance of taking time to reflect and think about our decisions carefully. It was recorded by Abu Ya’la that the Prophet s.a.w. said: “Deliberateness is from Allah, and hastiness is from shaytan”. 

Allah s.w.t. mentions an episode from the life of Prophet Musa a.s. to address this matter. In Surah Al-Kahf, Prophet Musa a.s, despite being a highly regarded messenger of Allah and the most knowledgeable man of his time, was tasked to meet a righteous man (often known as Khidr) and learn from him. This, again, underscores the importance of learning from a learned person.

While learning from the man, Prophet Musa a.s. encountered several unusual events which made him form assumptions and doubts about him, thus questioning his methods. This continued to be the case despite being told by the righteous man at the start that he will eventually explain the reasons behind all these events.

This story teaches us the importance of patience, humility, and the willingness to learn from those who have more knowledge. It reminds us to avoid hasty judgements and to trust that there may be reasons beyond our current understanding.

Read: Making Sense Of World Events Through The 4 Stories Of Surah Al-Kahf

Consulting Others To Form A Balanced Perspective

We can also deduce from the advice of Hakim As-Samarqandi above the importance of consulting others to form a balanced perspective. By conversing and connecting with others, we can hope to check our biases or be informed of new considerations we didn't initially think about.

This is another universal practice that is important in our daily activities and especially so in studying religion. To enhance the knowledge of what we have just learnt, we can cross-check with our teachers, friends or other learned individuals to revise and assess.

The Quran teaches us to consult others in all important matters:

وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ

“Consult with them about matters”

(Surah Ali-’Imran, 3:159)

Even the Prophet s.a.w. would consult his companions and family members. Seeking the views and perspectives of others doesn’t mean that we are weak-minded or too reliant on others. Conversely, it shows our confidence and the depth of our understanding.

Read: Nurturing Faith and Islamic Knowledge Starts from Young

Alhamdulillah, now we can have safe and easy access to seek the views of our asatizah at mosques. Students who go to a full-time or part-time madrasah can also approach their respective asatizah and seek their views even on contested issues. Alternatively, if you prefer to ask anonymously, perhaps due to a sensitive question, you may seek views and consult an asatizah at Mysafespace.Sg

Embracing Credible Sources

In today's digital age, information is everywhere. It is crucial for us to discern credible sources of religious knowledge. Consuming information from reputable and scholarly sources, such as recognised Islamic institutions, is imperative in fostering a comprehensive understanding of Islamic teachings. By embracing credible sources, we can safeguard ourselves against misinformation and ensure that our religious knowledge is rooted in authenticity and scholarly rigour.

This practice of verification is fundamental in studying our religious sciences. The Islamic tradition has witnessed the development of various disciplines derived from the scholarly study of our religious texts. One particular field of knowledge is known as the science of hadith (‘ulum hadith), which can be viewed as a pioneering field in the development of bibliographical methods; a study of techniques for compiling and verifying information. This science is a testimony to the monumental efforts of our scholars in compiling and verifying hadith through strict processes while also documenting the chain of narration and the conditions of the narrators. Each narrator is scrutinised to further refine the status of each hadith narration.

Although much of these works (hadith narration) are now digitalised, offering us easier access, there are still many who took advantage, or perhaps recklessly, in cherry-picking texts from the enormous corpus of hadith literature. As Muslims, the least we could do today is to verify information and seek knowledge from credible sources.

Understanding Religious Texts and Addressing Disinformation

The Quran and Hadith are the primary religious texts of Islam, containing profound wisdom and guidance for humanity. However, not all religious texts can be read literally, and their interpretation requires deeper scholarly insight and contextual understanding.

Asatizah, especially those who received formal training in Islamic theology and jurisprudence, can offer nuanced interpretations of religious texts, guiding individuals to comprehend the underlying meanings and principles encapsulated within them. Embracing the guidance of asatizah ensures that individuals approach the religious texts with understanding, avoiding misinterpretation and distortion of our sacred scriptures.

In recent times, we have witnessed how disinformation and fabricated religious texts have been exploited to justify violence and extremist ideologies. One such example is the misrepresentation of the ‘black flag’ hadith, which has been manipulated to propagate violent agendas. 

Example of a Weak and an Inauthentic Hadith

There are a few hadith narrations that talk about the ‘black flags’. However, all of it is considered weak (dha’if) and inauthentic. Hadith narrations, which are considered weak, can neither be used as a pillar for our beliefs (‘aqidah) nor can they be used as evidence (dalil) to justify a point or position.

For example, Imam At-Tirmizi recorded the following hadith in his works:

تَخْرُجُ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ رَايَاتٌ سُودٌ لَا يَرُدُّهَا شَيْءٌ حَتَّى تُنْصَبَ بِإِيلِيَاءَ

“Black flags will come from Khorasan, nothing shall turn them back until they are planted in Jerusalem.”

(Sunan At-Tirmizi)

However, Imam At-Tirmizi himself declared this narration to be ‘weak’. Other narrations have different texts but convey about the same message: that nearer to the end times and as a prologue to the appearance of Imam Mahdi, a black flag will appear from Khorasan,^[3] signifying a righteous military force that will triumph over the enemies of Islam. Some of these hadith also call on Muslims to support and join the army of the black flag when they appear.

Read: Dealing With Claims of Signs of the End of the World in Islam

The use of black flags by Muslim movements is not new and is present throughout our history. Even in recent times, the black flag is used by multiple militant groups that contest with one another, such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Jabhah An-Nusrah. In fact, all these groups were denounced by our scholars and the majority of Muslims around the world.

So, having an army under the black flag and initiating the movement from Khorasan does not even automatically make them the prophesied army, as stated in the above narration. More than a thousand years ago, the Abbasid Caliphate also used the same ‘black flag’ strategy to rally people and bring down the Umayyad Caliphate.^[4] After a thousand years, the prophesied Imam Mahdi has not appeared yet. Muslims should not fall for groups who carry the black flag and claim to be the true army of Imam Mahdi. Instead, these groups must be judged by their actions.

Read: Addressing Misconceptions: Jihad and Martyrdom

Due to the lack of authentic evidence, the black flag cannot be used as an Islamic symbol to justify a position. In fact, no symbol in Islam can ever justify any acts of terror and extremism.^[5]

We must be aware of such disinformation and seek guidance from credible asatizah to discern the authenticity of hadith and religious narratives. 

Conclusion

The ongoing crises around the world highlight the challenges humanity faces today. Navigating such a dynamic yet turbulent time is indeed difficult. However, by coming together and strengthening our resolve, we can persevere, insyaAllah. Thus, it is more important than ever to hold onto our faith and follow prophetic guidance.

Read: Navigating The Crisis In Gaza: A Guide by the Asatizah Youth Network 

The guidance of asatizah and the discernment of credible sources are fundamental in nurturing a comprehensive understanding of prophetic teachings and upholding the integrity of religious knowledge. 

By seeking counsel from our reputable scholars and embracing authentic sources of religious information, we can all embark on a journey of enlightenment, gaining profound insights and wisdom that enrich our faith. 

May Allah s.w.t. protect us, our families and community from such propaganda. May He shed the light of truth upon us, guide us to that which pleases Him and protect us all from the evils of this world and the torment of the Hereafter. Ameen

Read: The Importance of Seeking Knowledge in Islam

Notes

[1] An Islamic centre of learning in the middle age. Bukhara is in present day Uzbekistan.

[2] Abu Abdullah Muhammad Al-Qurtubi, Al-Jami’ Li-Ahkam Al-Quran (Tafsir Qurtubi), Mu-assasah Ar-Risalah, Volume 3, pg. 16-17, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:170)

[3] A large land that is part of modern-day Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan

[4] Dr Muhammad Haniff Hassan and Mustazah Bahri, The Black Flag Myth: An Analysis From Hadith Studies, Countering Islamic State Ideology: Voices of Singapore Religious Scholars, Pergas, pg. 24

[5] Ibid