On knowledge (ilm)

On knowledge (ilm)

(Translated from the Wajh-I Din of Hazrat Hakim Pir Nasir- Khusraw q.s.)

 “First a mu’min should know what knowledge is, and when he understands this, only then is he able to search for it. For if someone does not know a thing he can never find it. Thus we say that knowledge means to discover things as they really are. And the finder of things is the intellect and knowledge is in the Pearl of intellect. The witness of Intellect is the Word of God, may He be purified and exalted, which covers all spiritual and physical existents. And whatever is not covered by knowledge should not be called existent. Thus whatever is covered by knowledge is other than God. Since it is not worthy for God to be under anything, and knowledge comprises all things and all existents including the non-existent, therefore, it is not proper to say that God is existent or non-existent. For both these are under knowledge and God is above knowledge.

We say that pure knowledge is the command of God and he who attains a greater share of knowledge is closer to the command of God and has accepted a greater part of His command and is more obedient. And the more one possesses knowledge, the more he becomes obedient to God. And he who possesses complete knowledge attains the eternal favour, for the goal of the work of the possessor of knowledge is God’s mercy. Man is the last of the generated beings (i.e. the three kingdoms of nature, mineral, vegetable and animal) of the world and the return of man is to (God’s) commands, which is the cause of both worlds. And all things return to their origin. O mu’mins! Struggle to seek knowledge so that you may be closer to God, may he be Exalted and Glorified, for God’s mercy is knowledge.”