“
Their concept of knowledge was eloquently expressed, for
instance, by Muâdh b. Jabal (d. 18/639, one of the trusted lieutenants of
the Prophet, and certainly no forerunner of
Sufism): “Study knowledge,
for studying knowledge is the fear of God. Searching for knowledge is the
worship of Him. Learning knowledge is the glorification of Him. Doing
research in knowledge is a holy war in His behalf. Teaching knowledge
to those who do not know is charity. And lavishing knowledge upon
those who deserve it is nearness to God. Knowledge is a friend in
loneliness. It is company for him who is all by himself. It is a guide under
any circumstances whatever, an ornament among friends, a relative
among strangers, and a lighthouse on the road to Paradise. Through
knowledge, God lifts up people and makes them guides toward the
good (life) who serve as examples to be followed and whose actions are
studied and imitated and whose opinions are accepted. Their friendship is desired by the angels who touch them with their wings. In consequence,
everything wet or dry asks for forgiveness for them, down to the fish and
the reptiles of the sea and the wild beasts and the domestic animals
of the land, as well as heaven and its stars. Knowledge is the life of
the heart after blindness (?), the light of the eyes after darkness, and
the strength of the body after weakness. Through knowledge, man
reaches the stations of the pious and the highest ranks. Reflecting upon
knowledge and learning it are considered equivalent to the performance
of fasting. It is an act of obedience to God, of worship of Him, and of
declaring His oneness. It constitutes ascetic behavior. It accomplishes
the strengthening of family ties. Knowledge is the leader, and action
is its follower. It is an inspiration given to the blessed. It is something
that is denied to the unfortunate.” Such general praise of knowledge
is heard constantly throughout Muslim history, in almost the same
words and phrases. Here, however, it is used as an argument, obviously fictious and unhistorical, to prove the exclusive concern of the ancient
Muslims with knowledge, in the Sufî sense.
”
”
Franz Rosenthal (Knowledge Triumphant: The Concept of Knowledge in Medieval Islam (Brill Classics in Islam))