The Urgency of Science in the Journey of Life

Majalahnabawi.com – Is very valuable in this life, it is not heavy to carry whenever and wherever we are and will continue to increase if it continues to be practiced and taught to others, of course, in terms of goodness. From Abu Hurairah RA. that the Prophet Muhammad Saw said:

مَنْ دَعَا إِلَى هُدًى كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلُ أُجْوْرِ مَنْ تَبِعَهُ لَا يَنْقُصُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ أُجُوْرِهِمْ شَيْئًا. وَمَنْ دَعَا إِلَى ضَلَالَةٍ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْإِثْمِ مِثْلُ آثَامِ مَنْ تَبِعَهُ لَا يَنْقُصُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ آثَامِهِمْ شَيْئًا

“Whoever invites to goodness, he will get a reward as much as the reward of those who follow him without reducing their reward in the least. On the other hand, whoever invites him to go astray, will get as much sin as those who follow him without reducing their sins in the least. (HR Muslim no. 2674, Abu Dawud no. 4609, Ahmad; With a slightly different pronunciation, this hadith was also narrated by Imam Tirmidhi no. 2674, Ibnu Majah no. 206, Ahmad, Ad-Darimi & Ibn Hibban)

Science is like a light that illuminates us from the darkness. When the light comes, of course, everything that is around us can be seen so that in the end we can do many things with the light of that gift. And of course, that light will not be given by God to the master of immortality. Imam Syafi’i Rahimahullah once said:

وَأَخْبَرَنِيْ بِأَنَّ الْعِلْمَ نُوْرٌ ۝ وَنُوْرُ اللهِ لَا يُهْدَى لِعَاصِيْ

And (Imam Waki’) told me that knowledge is light. And God’s light is not possible to be given to a master of immorality.” (I’anatuth Talibin, 2:190).

Science is one of the tools to lead a happy life. We know that the human body apart from being made up of the physical, of course, there is also the spiritual. If the body needs food and drink, then our spirit also certainly needs knowledge.

Knowledge is light and guidance that must be spread and cannot be hidden. Therefore, Rasulullah Sallallahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam also explained the dangers of hiding religious knowledge that must be conveyed to the people. From Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad Saw said:

»مَنْ سُئِلَ عَنْ عِلْمٍ عَلِمَهُ ثُمَّ كَتَمَهُ أُلْجِمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِلِجَامٍ مِنْ نَارٍ«

“Whoever is asked about a knowledge that he knows, then he hides it, then he will be whipped on the Day of Resurrection with a whip from hell.” (HR Tirmidhi, no. 2649; With a slightly different pronunciation, this hadith was also narrated by Imam Abu Dawud no. 3658; Ibnu Majah no. 264; Ahmad & Hakim).

In the Al-Quran some verses invite us to have great attention to science so that we always worship and obey Allah Swt. as His Word:

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

“…Say, “Are those who know and those who do not know the same?” In fact, only people with common sense can receive lessons.” (QS Az-Zumar[39]: 9)

In addition, Allah will elevate sincere believers and knowledgeable people to several degrees. As His Word:

يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

“…Allah will raise (degrees) those who believe among you and those who are given knowledge by degrees. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” (Surah Al-Mujadalah[58]: 11)

Knowledgeable people are like fertile soil that grows various plants that are useful for humans and other creatures, and like a water reservoir that is very useful for fulfilling the drinking needs of humans, and livestock and for watering plants. In short, a knowledgeable person whose benefits are truly extraordinary lives not only for himself, but is also useful for other people, society, and the environment.

Once upon a time, when Prophet Sulaiman. offered by Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala for three things: wealth, power, and knowledge. He chose science. This choice is the smart, right, and best choice. With his knowledge, he gained power and an abundance of incomparable treasures, both in previous and subsequent eras.

Ali bin Abi Talib RA. Someone has also asked: “O Ali, which one is more important; knowledge or wealth? Then Ali replied, “Knowledge is more important than wealth. Ali then gave several reasons:

Knowledge is the inheritance of the Prophets, while wealth is the legacy of Qarun and Pharaoh.
Knowledge can take care of you, while your treasure takes care of it.
People who have wealth tend to have many enemies, while people who know have many friends.
Wealth when used will decrease, while the more knowledge is used the more it increases.
Wealthy people are usually given the title Bakhil, while people with knowledge are always given noble and honorable titles.
Wealth must be guarded against thieves, while knowledge does not need to be guarded against thieves.
On the Day of Resurrection, people with wealth will be reckoned with because of their wealth, while knowledgeable people will be interceded on the Day of Judgment because of their knowledge.
As time goes on, treasures are getting used up and damaged, whereas knowledge cannot be used up or damaged.
Wealth can harden and darken the heart, while knowledge illuminates the heart.
Wealthy people are usually said to be arrogant because of their wealth, while knowledgeable people are usually called Tawadu’, humble because of their knowledge.

Ali bin Abi Talib was indeed a smart and clever person. He understands the role of science in human life in this world and the hereafter. Therefore, we must also always understand that seeking knowledge and becoming a knowledgeable person is an order from Allah and His Messenger and will have many virtues. So it is appropriate for us to activate ourselves by learning and seeking knowledge. Because the awakening of the people will be realized by the awakening of their knowledge. But please note that the height of knowledge without being accompanied by noble character and adab will be something in vain.

The existence of knowledge in a person should make him more humble (humble) because knowledge is so broad that it is not appropriate for humans to be arrogant with the intelligence of their knowledge. Imam Syafi’i Syafi’i Rahimahullah once said:

لَنْ يَبْلُغَ الْعِلْمَ جَمِيْعًا أَحَدٌ ۝ لَا، وَلَوْ حَاوَلَهُ أَلْفَ سَنَة

إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ عَمِيْقٌ بَحْرُهُ ۝ فَخُذُوْا مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ أَحْسَنَه

“Not a person can fully master knowledge.. No, even if he travels to search for it for up to a thousand years.. Knowledge is like a very wide and deep ocean.. So take from everything the best.” (Diwan Imam Syafi’i)

Knowledge is indeed very important, but the foundation in the form of morals is more important. As Sheikh Yusuf bin Al Husain once said:

بِالْأَدَبِ تَفْهَمُ الْعِلْمَ وَبِالْعِلْمِ يَصِحُّ لَكَ الْعَمَلُ وَبِالْعَمَلِ تَنَالُ الْحِكْمَةَ

“By (learning) adab, you (become easy) understand knowledge, while with the knowledge your practice will be correct and with charity, you will get wisdom.” (Iqtidhaul ‘ilmil ‘amal, p. 170)

Even if we master a science without paying attention to morals and adab as a guide, then this will certainly lead to arrogance and destruction for the owner.