By: Mr. Fathur rohman
Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim, whether male or female, this is based on the hadith of the Messenger of Allah: ” كل مسلم ومسلمة طلب العلم فريضة على “. “أطلبوا العلم ولو بالصين ( Seek knowledge even to China). God gave primacy and glory to the people of knowledge as his word in the Holy Qur’an Surah al-Mujaadalah verse 11: “Allah will exalt those who believe among you and those who are given some degree of knowledge.” The people of the Remembrance will also be eased his way into heaven by God and always pray for the angels “Whoever goes to seek knowledge Allah will facilitate for him the way to heaven” (Narrated by Muslim). And there are many more evidences that explain the virtue and glory to those who seek knowledge and have knowledge both the Holy Qur’an and the hadith.
Al Imam Al Ghozali in his book Ihya’ ‘ulum al-din divided science into two parts: the shar’i science and non shar’i. Shar’i science is the science that comes from the prophet through revelation. Shar’i is grouped into fardlu ‘ayn such as theology (tauhid) and Islamic laws (fiqh), such as praying, wudlu etc. And fardlu kifaya such as Arabic syntax (nahwu), Arabic morphology (shorof), inheritance (faroidl). While non shar’i science is classified into good science to be studied due to the interest of the Muslims such as medicine, astronomy or mathematics to determine the beginning of the month and time of praying or science permissibly studied such as history, language etc. and non shar’i science which is forbidden to study such as witchcraft, black magic and things that harm others.
Science is like a light, meaning that people who have the knowledge and people who practice the science will get a lot of benefits both for themselves or for others. So the science is illuminating every step of life. Because of the science noble, so to achieve it should pass many ways that will impact to the maximum results. In seeking knowledge, it should consider some manners or behaviours to reach out the knowledge, namely:
1.Intention
According to Shaykh al Zarnuji in his book Ta’limu Al-muta’allim Thoriqo Al-ta’allum, the students should intend to seek God’s blessing, to go to heaven, eliminate ignorance in himself or others, or turn on and perpetuate Islam. In studying, they should accompany with a sincere heart for God truly, not to brag, showing off their cleverness, feeling the most clever by themselves but to remove themselves from ignorance and make themselves useful to others and the universe. Prophet Muhammad has reminded us “إنماالأعمال بالنيات (the quality of the charitable is depending on intentions)” in another hadeeth” بصورة أعمال الدنياويصير بحسن النية من اعمال الاخرة كم من عمل يتصور بصورة أعمال الاخرة ثم يصير من اعمال الدنيا بسوء النية وكم من عمل يتصور
(Lots charities look like charities in the world, but because a good intention become into the afterlife charities and so many charities looks like charities into afterlife, but because of the bad intention they become charities in the world).
After straightening the intention of searching science, the student should be aware that knowledge is obtained solely from God’s grace is not just the result of his labors alone. But science must be pursued by way of learning (ikhtiyar). How hard to reach the science, the student must believe that God will provide a way out of the best as his words in surah Al-Insyiroh 5-6 verse “That every trouble has an ease / a way out “. It is same as in English proverb” Where there is a will, there is a way ” (Dimana ada kemauan, disitu ada jalan keluar) and” If you can dream it, you can do it ” (Jika kamu bisa memimpikannya, kamu bisa melakukannya) and the other proverb “A man without ambition is like a bird without wings” (Seseorang yang tidak punya cita-cita bagaikan burung tak bersayap). This means that the difficulty in studying both in the understanding, or the steep cost of studying will be resolved. When the student is in confident and optimistic it can be passed.
2.Mean business
In studying the student should learn seriously and never stop. Allah in His words hinted : “And those who strive in our way, We (Allah) will surely show them the way.”. There is an Arabic proverb that says “من طلب شيأ وجد وجد” (Everyone who looks for something and serious he will get it). It is almost synonymous with the English proverb “Success never comes to the indolence” (Sukses tidak akan datang kepada orang yang malas). Besides earnest, in studying the student should have lofty ideals so that knowledge can be achieved maximal. because of serious and lofty ideals is the main capital in studying “Dream the impossible to reach the stars” (Gantungkan cita-citamu setinggi bintang di langit). To do two things above then do not put it off as long as possible now “Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today” (Janganlah tunda sampai besok apa yang bisa anda lakukan hari ini) and the other saying “Lost time never found” (Waktu yang hilang tidak bisa ditemukan lagi) or “Do not wait until tomorrow what you can do today, Because tomorrow maybe too late” (Jangan menunggu sampai besok untuk melakukan sesuatu yang bisa kamu lakukan hari ini karena mungkin besok sudah sangat terlambat).
3.Study Continuously
Seekers of science should not be easily satisfied with the knowledge gained but should continue to look for more “Fall stand up one time and two times” (not known to give up before work) and “Never say never” (Jangan bilang tidak bisa). As the adage delivered by Sofyan bin Uyainah: “Someone is going to remain as long as he’s good at studying. But if he considers himself was knowledgeable (be satisfied) then it means he is stupid. “Arabic proverb says” الاستقامة خير من الف كرامة “constantly is better than a thousand karama / glory. Allah more like a little practice but is conducted continuously than a lot of practice but it is only done once.
4. Patience in seeking Sciences
One commendable patience that must be owned by a student is patient with his teacher. As the story of Prophet Musa and Prophet Khidr peace be upon them (Surat al-Kahf: 66-70). Do not get desperate in their studies if it has difficulty in understanding and learning science. Although it took a long time to understand the science, but it’s never too late “Better late than never” (Lebih baik terlambat daripada tidak sama sekali). Because patience according to Ali bin abi tholib is one of the six keys to seek knowledge. Alah will always be with those who are patient and Allah does not love those who despair of His mercy as His words “Allah is always with those who are patient” and “And you all do not despair of the grace of God.” Antoine De Saint said “You have to Endure caterpillars if you want to see butterflies”. (Anda harus tahan terhadap ulat jika ingin dapat melihat kupu-kupu). This means that people who seek knowledge to be patient in the face of challenges that patience will pay off later on.
5. Respect and honor to people who deliver our knowledge
People who seek knowledge must have good behaviors (akhlaq al-karimah) either to the teacher or anyone else because it is a reflection on their intelligence “A useless life is fruitless life” (Hidup tak berarti tanpa berbuat sesuatu yang bermanfaat). Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was sent to this world, one of the aims is to improve human morality, as his word “إنما بعثت لأتمم مكارم الأخلاق”. Among the honors student to teacher is silent or ask at the right time and the right place and do not interrupt the teacher, listened solemnly, and watched as he explained, and so on. People who talk a lot without any benefit reflects the knowledge gaps before others “It’s the empty can that makes the most noise” (Seseorang yang banyak bicara biasanya tidak berilmu/tong kosong berbunyi nyaring). Should be asked to remove the doubts and ignorance ourselves, not to belittle, trap, test, humiliating teachers and so on. People who do not want to ask a waste of a lot of knowledge for himself. When the good relationship between teachers and students is the case then there will be a strong bond between them even though separated by distance and time “Out of sight near by heart” (Jauh dimata dekat di hati).
