Dispelling Misconception through Correct Knowledge

Compiled by Br. Abdul-Halm Khall

Learning to Act, and Acting to Know

To preface this brief discourse, a salient analogy may prove beneficial. It is reported on the authority of Jaabir bin Abdullah , that he said:

We went out on a journey, and a man from amongst us was struck on the head by a rock, which fractured his skull. Whilst unconscious he became junub. Upon gaining consciousness, he inquired (of his companions): Do you deem it permissible for me to perform tayammum [rather than ghusl]? His companions replied: We do not think tayammum appropriate, whilst you are able to use water [for ghusl]. So the injured man performed ghusl, and consequently died. Then, when we came to Rasl Allh ( he was informed of what had transpired, whereafter, he exclaimed: They killed him, may Allh kill them! Why did they not ask, if they did not know? The only cure for ignorance is to ask. Verily [truly], it would have been enough for him to perform tayammum, or bandage his wound, wipe over the bandage and bathe the rest of his body.1 ),

Therefore, as we cannot act without knowledge (nor can we attain knowledge without action),2 let us always endeavour to apply this indispensable principle of dispelling the darkness of misconception with the Light of correct intellection to our daily lives, InshaAllh Tala.

Reported in Sunan Abu Dawood (1/93) Hadth No. 336, Sunan al-Daraqutni (1/349) Hadth No. 729, and alSunan al-Kubra al-Bayhaqi (1/347) Hadth No. 1075. 2 Sheikh Hamza Yusuf and Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allh, The Attributes of God in Islam (Alhambra Productions, Nawwawi Foundation, 2004).
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Indeed, the Boundless Wisdom of Allh affirms this the essentiality of this righteous pursuit, again and again, in the Glorious Qurn, for He is Al-Alm,3 Al-Hakm,4 Al-Mhyi,5 AlKhabr,6 Ar-Rashd,7 An-Nr,8 Al-Was,9 Al-Latf.10

[Allh sent] a Messenger [Rasl Allh ( the light.

)] reciting to you the distinct verses of

Allh, that He may bring out those who believe and do righteous deeds from darkness into And whoever believes in Allh and does righteousness He shall admit him into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. Allh shall have perfected for him a provision. 11
The Knower of All. Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat As-Sajdah (The Chapter of Prostration) 32:6-7. The Perfectly Wise. Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat An-Naml (The Chapter of the Ant) 27:6. 5 The Giver of Life. Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat Ar-Rum (The Chapter of the Byzantines) 30:50. 6 The All-Aware; The Well-Acquainted. Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat Al-Mulk (The Chapter of Sovereignty) 67:14. 7 The Righteous Teacher. Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat Al-Ala (The Chapter of the Most High) 87:7-8 (also, see Rumi, Mathnawi II:1552, 1554, tr. Helminski). 8 The Light. Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat An-Nur (The Chapter of the Light) 24:35 (also, see Rumi, Mathnawi 1:1126-7, tr. Helminski). 9 The All-Comprehending. Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat Al-Araf (The Chapter of the Elevations) 7:89. 10 The Subtle One. Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat Al-Anam (The Chapter of the Cattle) 6:101-103. 11 Refer to the Glorious Qurn, Surat A-alq (The Chapter of Divorce) 65:11. Also refer to Surat AlBaqarah (The Chapter of the Cow) 2:257, Surat Al-M'idah (The Chapter of the Table Spread) 5:15-16, Surat Ibrhm (The Chapter of the Prophet Abraham [Alayhis Salm]) 14:1-5, Surat Al-'Azb (The Chapter of the Combined Forces) 33:43, Surat Al-add (The Chapter of the Iron) 57:9, etc.
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