In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Importance of Acquiring Beneficial Knowledge of Both Religious and Worldly Sciences

Imam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

Allah commanded us many acts of worship and prohibited unlawful things. It is impossible to obey a command and avoid a prohibition without first learning and obtaining information about it; similarly, prohibitions emphasise the requirement of having the knowledge through which they are distinguished. And, just as Allah has permitted (certain) dealings while forbidding (others), it is impossible to discriminate between what is lawful and what is prohibited without knowledge. Indeed, Allah dispraised those who did not acquire an understanding of the prescribed boundaries of what was revealed to His Messenger in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

In several verses of the Qur’an, Allah commanded (the believers) to perform Jihaad (see footnote a), prepare as much strength as possible against the enemy, and be wary of them. This can only be accomplished by understanding the art of war and the crafts on which strength and caution depend.

Islam commanded the study of trade and economics to the point where it commanded that young orphans (i.e. young adults) should be observed and instructed in trade and earning opportunities. Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَٱبۡتَلُواْ ٱلۡيَتَـٰمَىٰ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغُواْ ٱلنِّكَاحَ فَإِنۡ ءَانَسۡتُم مِّنۡہُمۡ رُشۡدً۬ا فَٱدۡفَعُوٓاْ إِلَيۡہِمۡ أَمۡوَٲلَهُمۡ‌ۖ

And try orphans (as regards their intelligence) until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgement in them, release their property to them. [Surah An-Nisaa Aayah 6]

Islam did not order the guardians to give orphans their wealth (i.e. their inheritance) unless it is known (with certainty) that they are rational and knowledgeable about subjects pertaining to earning and commerce.

This perfect Shariah commanded the study of all beneficial sciences, such as understanding pure Islamic monotheism, the sound fundamentals of the faith, the sciences of sound Islamic jurisprudence and rulings, the sciences of the Arabic language, economics, Siyaasah (see footnote b), and all sciences that result in welfare and rectification for both groups and individuals. There is no useful knowledge relating to religious and worldly issues except that this Shariah directs, motivates, and arouses the desire for it. This Shariah brings together religious and worldly sciences; rather, it enriches the worldly sciences through the religious sciences. Those who held extreme views on this subject confined themselves to some religious sciences and thus fell short and committed a grave mistake.

Materialists, on the other hand, confined themselves to some worldly sciences and denied everything else, so they deviated from the upright path and conduct until it led them to disbelief, and thus their creed and morals became disorderly, and their sciences had no real significance; (see footnote c) neither purified the minds and souls nor facilitated sound moral nurturing. So, the harm caused by their worldly sciences was greater than the benefit, because they benefited from them in terms of improving crafts, inventions, and their accessories, but they were harmed in two ways: first, these worldly sciences became the greatest catastrophe for them and all humanity, because of the annihilation, deadly wars, and destruction that resulted from them. Second, they became haughty and amazed by these worldly sciences, and thus they despised the Messengers’ knowledge and matters of the religion. Allah said:

إن الذين يجادلون في آيات الله بغير سلطان أتاهم إن في صدورهم إلا كبر ما هم ببالغيه فاستعذ بالله إنه هو السميع البصير

Verily, those who dispute about the Ayat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, without any authority having come to them, there is nothing else in their hearts except pride (to accept you (Muhammad ) as a Messenger of Allah and to obey you). They will never have it (i.e. Prophethood which Allah has bestowed upon you). So seek refuge in Allah (O Muhammad from the arrogant people). Verily, it is He Who is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer]. [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 56]

Allah said:

وَجَعَلۡنَا لَهُمۡ سَمۡعً۬ا وَأَبۡصَـٰرً۬ا وَأَفۡـِٔدَةً۬ فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُمۡ سَمۡعُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَبۡصَـٰرُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَفۡـِٔدَتُہُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ إِذۡ كَانُواْ يَجۡحَدُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَحَاقَ بِہِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

And We had assigned them the (faculties of) hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts, but their hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and their hearts availed them nothing since they used to deny the Ayat (Allah’s Prophets and their Prophethood, proofs, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, and they were completely encircled by that which they used to mock at! [Surah Al-Ahqaaf. Aayah 26]

Allah said:
فلما جاءتهم رسلهم بالبينات فرحوا بما عندهم من العلم وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون

Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)]. [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 83]

Allah said:
فلما جاءتهم رسلهم بالبينات فرحوا بما عندهم من العلم وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون

Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)]. [Surah Ghaafir. Ayah 83]

Based on what we have said, it is apparent that the beneficial sciences pertaining to this world and the Afterlife are those endorsed by the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger. This knowledge encompasses all useful and sound knowledge–it does not affirm its origins and negate its branches, nor does it affirm the aspect related to religion and reject the aspect related to worldly life, and vice versa; and its creed embraces belief in every truth, every (sound) reality, every book that Allah revealed, as well as every Messenger sent by Allah. (1)

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Footnote a: Read this article transmitted by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah from Al-Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan. https://abukhadeejah.com/salafi-shaikh-fawzaan-on-jihaad-in-our-times-and-the-guidelines-of-jihaad-according-to-islam/

Footnote b: What is Siyaasah? It refers to the regulation of citizens’ affairs. It has authority over both individual behaviour and the behaviour of society as a whole. It entails Islamic jurisprudence, through which rulers are provided with knowledge and awareness of the Shariah laws pertaining to the administration of the state, its structures, and Shariah principles. [At-taleeq Alaa As-Siyaasah Ash-Shar’iyyah. Page 5 By Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)]

Footnote c: Read this useful article by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh: http://www.aboutatheism.net/articles/juvtbpd-understanding-the-two-definitions-of-science-and-scientific-enquiry.cfm

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Ad-Deenus Saheeh Yahillu Jamee al-Mashaakil (The right religion is the answer to every problem- page 7-8. slightly paraphrased]