| Campaign against Ignorance |
| The first and foremost condition for the vitality of a nation is acquisition of knowledge. It is for this reason that in the terminology of modern writers the nations which are advanced in the matter of knowledge and culture are called 'alive' and on the contrary the backward communites are styled as 'dead' and 'barbaric'. Roots of this interpretation can be observed in the words of the religious leaders of Islam. The Holy Prophet(saw) says: "Scientific discussions enliven the dead hearts, provided they lead to Allah and His commands." The distance in Paradise between one who dies while endeavouring to acquire knowledge so as to animate the Muslims and that between the Prophets will be of one degree only. In view of this Islam has encouraged the people very much to acquire knowledge and science. As a matter of fact it has made it obligatory of them. The holy Prophet(saw) says: "It is obligatory for every Muslim to acquire knowledge. Allah likes those who seek knowledge." "It is obligatory for every Muslim to acquire knowledge. Acquire it from its proper place and impart it to one who deserves it, because to teach for the sake of Allah is good, to seek knowledge is worship, to discuss it is praise to Allah, to utilize it is jihad in the cause of Allah, to teach it to an ignorant person is alm and to pass it on to knowledgeable persons is the source of proximity to Allah." "A person who seeks knowledge is like one who observes fast during daytime and prays during night. It is better for man to acquire one chapter of knowledge than to possess a mountain of gold as big as 'Abu Qubais' and to spend it in the way of Allah." Imam al Sajjad (as) says: "If people had known the advantage of acquiring knowledge they would have acquired it even if it had necessitated the shedding of their hearts' blood or going down into the deep seas." Islam attaches so much importance to the acquisition of knowledge that it has declared the path of knowledge and wisdom to be the path leading to Paradise. The holy Prophet of Islam(saw) says: "Allah opens to path of Paradise to one who takes a step on the path of acquisition of knowledge." c |
| In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful |
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