‘Are those who have knowledge and those who have no knowledge alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful.’
(Quran, 39:9)
Treasure, they say, is either in the form of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects. But all these forms of treasure can be stolen and often decreases with time so we cannot really call it a lifetime asset. There is, however, another form of treasure, which cannot be stolen, increases by time, and is a lifetime asset as well. It is, knowledge. It gives you a high return on investment of your time.
‘Knowledge is the treasure of wise man’
William Penn
Allah Almighty declared human beings as the superior creature over other creatures based on knowledge. To get knowledge is obligatory in Islam, the following references show the importance of knowledge and how it can lead you towards paradise.
Firstly, let us begin by learning the supplication that Allah Almighty taught us when asking for knowledge from Him:
ربِ زِدنِی عِلماً
‘My Lord! Enrich me with knowledge.’
(Quran, 20:114)
Furthermore,
‘The acquisition of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, whether male or female.’
‘The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.’
‘God has revealed to me, ‘Whoever walks in the pursuit of knowledge I facilitate for him the way to heaven.’
‘Scholars should endeavor to spread knowledge and provide education to people who have been deprived of it. For, where knowledge is hidden it disappears.’
Some one asked the Prophet : “Who is the biggest scholar?” He replied: “He who is constantly trying to learn from others, for a scholar is ever hungry for more knowledge.”
‘Contemplating deeply for one hour (with sincerity) is better than 70 years of (mechanical) worship.’
We have many sources to get knowledge but the cheapest, and the most easily accessible source is Internet. Internet is the encyclopedia of knowledge. However, not every available source is authentic on internet. To quench your thirst of knowledge on Islamic Finance and related subjects you can download the free e-books through the website of Usmani & Co. (https://usmaniandco.com/resources/) written by Justice (retired) Sheikh Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani and his son Dr. Muhammad Imran Ashraf Usmani; Group Head and Vice Chairman of Shariah Supervisory board at Meezan Bank Ltd and CEO of Usmani & Co. Shariah advisory (Pvt) Ltd.
It is a roadmap to hunt for treasure.
