Elements And Concept Of Knowledge

This definition of knowledge leads us to the following four

Elements of knowledge:

1. Observer

2. Object

3. Observing Capability

4. Objectivity

Observer

A person who seeks knowledge or is e ager to learn about

some truth is called an observer . This is the distinction of

man alone who is the best of all the creation of Allah

Almighty. An observer i s generally known as a student,

the one who is all the time inquisitive to know something.

Knowledge is an unfathomable ocean. No one can claim

possession of the whole of knowledge . He who knows a bit

of it is known as a scholar .

Object

The thing that is being explored , sought for and known is

called an object. It implies any reality concrete or abstract,

whether  employing senses or intellect. The entire creation

that exists in the embrace of universe and its physical and

metaphysical entity sand truths, all are the objects of

knowledge.

Observing capability

This is the third element of knowledge. This relates to the

Susceptibility and potential of an observer to know

something. If the object is of sensory nature, the observer is

required to possess sensory capability to observe , perceive

and know the object through five senses. On the other hand

if the object can be known through reason and intellect the Islamic Concept of Knowledge 

observer needs to have intellectual capability without which

objects of reason cannot be encompassed. Thirdly if the

knowledge of an object cannot be acquired without ecstasy

and intuition the observer has to first equip himself with

this faculty . And over and above all is the capability of

receiving revelation which is the attribute of the Prophets

and the Messengers alone . This is beyond human capabilities

and cannot be acquired; this is absolutely a divine capability

which Allah (swt) be stows only upon His chosen servants,

the Prophets and the Messengers.

Objectivity

The fourth and the last of the elements of knowledge is

objectivity. It signifies purpose-oriented quest to perceive

and know the object. This necessitates perceptibility of the

object through any of the observer’s capabilities, that it can

be grasped with any of the inquisitor’s potentials.

The concept of knowledge in the light of

Surah Al-Alaq

Let us now see the concept of knowledge in the light of the

first five verses of Sur ah Al-Alaq of the Holy Qur’an. It was

17 of Ramadan. The sacred seclusion of Mount Hira cave

was perfumed with the holy presence of Allah’s Beloved

when it glowed with the brightening arrival of the angel

Gabriel . Allah Most Gracious (swt) addressed His Most

Exalted of men and His Final Messenger (swt) sent towards

mankind in the following divine words through revelation.

The Quran ( Chapter 96 : Verse 1 – 5 )

 “(O Beloved !) Read (commencing) with the name of

Allah (swt) Who has created (everything); He created

man from a mass suspended like a leech (in the

mother’s womb). Read and your Lord is Most

Generous; He Who taught man (reading and writing)

by the pen. He Who (besides that) taught man (all

that) which he did not know.”

These are the five verses that contain the note of

knowledge. Man knew nothing but now he was blessed with

knowledge . He started knowing (the reality of the things).

He was brought to light from the dark and deep ditch of

ignorance . It was light of awareness that was conferred

upon him. Knowledge is, in truth, a journey toward slight

and awareness.

Through mediation of the Holy Prophet  (saws) Allah

Almighty  (swt) connected man to the system of education

and exploration of knowledge revealed in these five verses

and kindled human mind with countless lights of

consciousness and cognition. This was the first centre of

enlightenment in Islam that came about under the divine

guidance in the holy seclusion of Mount Hira cave ; the Holy

Prophet (saws) was its first disciple and the Creator of the

Universe his Guide , the Teacher and the Trainer. If we

ponder over various aspects of the above mentioned verses,

and prepare its synopsis the following three scientific and

doctrinal features stand out:

                                               

1. Quran, 96:1-5 . Islamic Concept o f Knowledge

1. The Concept of Creation

2. Human Creation

3. The Grandeur of Allah (swt)

But as these topics do not relate to the inquiry of this

treatise and we are to talk only about the concept of

knowledge we , therefore , confine our work only to

exploring the following six features of the concept of

knowledge concealed in these verses.

Six aspects of the concept of knowledge

1. Knowledge:  We would see what knowledge is? And

what is its nature?

2. The objective of knowledge: Why should we attain

and venture for knowledge? And what is its purpose?

3. Syllabus: What i s the syllabus of Islamic concept of

knowledge and on what aspects of it Islam sheds light?

4. The outcome of knowledge: What would be the

Possible result or outcome after acquiring knowledge ?

5. Means of knowledge: What should be the means of

knowledge? What is the identification of its origins?

6. The scope of knowledge: What should be its scope ?

Let us elaborate these aspects one by one .