All Creatures Pray for Scholars, Islamic Teaching Affirms

Islamic teachings emphasize the profound value of knowledge and scholars, asserting that all of creation prays for those who pursue learning. This concept, rooted in Hadith, highlights the significant role scholars play in guiding and improving the world.

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What is the logic of fish in the ocean praying to students of knowledge and scholars?

The article illustrates this by explaining how scientists, through their research, contribute to the well-being of the planet. For instance, environmental scientists advocate for the protection of rivers and oceans, crucial habitats whose stability impacts Earth's ecosystem. Their efforts in forming policies and advising authorities help curb environmental damage, thereby safeguarding all creatures.

In recognition of such contributions, two prominent scholars were recently honored. Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar, Rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and Prof. Sheikh Dr. Ahmad al-Raysuni, a Moroccan Islamic jurisprudence expert and founder of the World Union of Islamic Scholars, received the Tokoh Maal Hijrah 2026 award. The author, affiliated withIIUM, expressed immense pride in Dr. Bakar's award, acknowledging his 56 years of dedication to knowledge and his recent articulation of Tawhidic Epistemology, which posits that all knowledge originates from God and is interconnected.

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Whoever embarks on a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make the path to paradise easy for him. Indeed, the angels spread their wings for the sake of the students of knowledge. The knowledgeable are prayed for by all creatures in the heavens, the earth, and the fish in the sea. The superiority of a scholar over a mere worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over all other stars. Scholars are the inheritors of the prophets. Prophets do not leave behind dinars or dirhams, but they leave behind knowledge. Whoever takes hold of it has taken hold of a great fortune.

Dr. Bakar's extensive career, spanning 56 years, has not only accumulated immense personal knowledge and merit but has also fostered a legacy through his students worldwide. The article briefly touches upon the 'greed' for scholars shown by the Prophet Muhammad's companions in Medina, suggesting a historical precedent for valuing learned individuals.

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All knowledge originates from the One God, Allah the All-Knowing. All knowledge is interconnected, ultimately leading to the glorification of Allah.