Today’s topic is: the source of all knowledge.

We live in the age of technology. With science making ground breaking revelations each day, we are more knowledgeable than ever. We pride ourselves on the journey we have covered.

Since the time we are young, we are in the process of learning. It won’t be wrong to say that a life of learning is a life well spent.

When we write the story of our life, who do we mention in the list of acknowledgements? “This book would not have been possible without…” We mention everyone in this list. But most of us will not remember to mention the One who has blessed you with this knowledge: Allah azzawajall.

Allah says in Surah Nisa, ayat 113,

“And if it was not for the favor of Allah upon you, [O Muhammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they will not harm you at all. And Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of Allah upon you been great.”

While the context of this ayat is a narrative in itself, something about the last part of this ayat tugged at my heart.

Allah address the Prophet (peace be upon him) directly and says that it is Allah who has taught you the wisdom you have, and it has indeed been one of Allah’s biggest favors on you.

Subhan’Allah.

There are times in our lives which we can easily call “moments of revelation”. Suddenly, out of nowhere, you start seeing sense in what was happening to you recently. You are struck with this new found knowledge of how different things in your life were set in motion to achieve the present (gift). And now that it all makes sense, you wouldn’t change any of it!

Knowledge without wisdom is incomplete, and often dangerous.

It is so important to ask Allah azzawajall to grant us wisdom and humility when He grants us knowledge.

The Book and it’s hikmah is the greatest blessing of Allah azzawajall and as mentioned in this ayat, it is given by Allah alone.

There can be several reasons why Prophet (peace be upon him) was addressed directly in this ayat.

1. To mention that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was given ilm solely from Allah.

2. To make it clear to the people that the prophet knew no “ghaib”, as misunderstood by some people today. He only knew that which was made known to him by Allah.

3. To reinforce that an “ummi” could not have known any of that which was being discussed in the context of this ayat, unless he really was told about it.

4. To prove that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was indeed the messenger of Allah.

There is a huge lesson for us in this ayat that if the Prophet (peace be upon him) was reminded that all his knowledge has come from Allah, we should remember it too. It is to remind us to stay humble and not feel proud of what we know.

Any skill you have, you owe it to Allah. If you excel at anything, it’s a gift from Him. Allah made it easy for you to be in a place in life where education was within your reach. A receptive mind that also retains knowledge, process it and extracts hikmah (wisdom) is a gift like none other.

If you wrote a book, who will be in your list of acknowledgements?