Islam and the pursuit of knowledge: Muslims are the first beacon of world civilization.

The first word of Islam is 'Iqra' or 'Read'. This word was uttered by Gabriel (AS) in the cave of Hira in Mecca in 610 AD. That divine sound was the first inspiration for Muslims to pursue knowledge and science. Over time, this single sound wave has made Muslims passionate about knowledge and scientific research.

No other religion or doctrine in the world has given so much importance to the pursuit of knowledge as Islam has. There are many quotes in the Quran and Hadith on the importance and greatness of knowledge. Almighty Allah taught His beloved Prophet (PBUH) the supplication for increasing knowledge. Almighty Allah says, ‘And say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Surah: Taha, verse: 114)

To encourage every Muslim man and woman to acquire knowledge, the Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘The acquisition of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.’ (Ibn Majah, Hadith: 224)

The Prophet (PBUH) instilled the spirit of acquiring knowledge among Muslims in such a way that young, old, male and female were all inspired to acquire knowledge. As a result, they would not hesitate to travel a month’s journey from Medina to distant Syria just for a single Hadith. They used to travel from Andalusia or Spain to Khorasan for knowledge.

In order to gain knowledge from the Prophet (PBUH), one companion would do worldly work in turn, while another would gain knowledge from the Prophet (PBUH) and pass it on to the other. Abu Hurairah (RA) would spend his days in one corner of the Prophet's Mosque without eating or drinking to gain knowledge from the Prophet (PBUH). In this way, as a result of the pursuit of knowledge, a nation immersed in the darkness of ignorance became a wonder nation in knowledge and science that the whole world could emulate.

Muslims have made and are making amazing contributions to all worldly sciences, including the interpretation of the Quran, Hadith and its interpretation, literature and rhetoric, linguistics, jurisprudence, and other religious philosophies. The role of Muslims in all fields of meteorology, physics, medicine, astronomy, law, geology, chemistry, mathematics, philosophy, history and sociology, political science, art and literature is unforgettable.

Their progress in every branch of knowledge was loud and successful.

In surgery, Abul Qasim Zahrawi's 'At-Tasrif', in eye diseases and their relief, Abul Qasim Mawsili's 'Al Muntakhab fi Ilazil Uyun', in chemistry, Jabir bin Hayyan's 'Kitabur Rahmat', 'Kitabut-Tajmi', 'Sundukul Hikma' and 'Risalah fil Kimiya', in scientist Razi's 'Kitabul Hajar', 'Kitabul Aksir', 'Kitabud-Tadbir', Ibn Abdul Malik Al-Khawarizmi Al-Kasir's 'Aynus-Sanah', in astronomy, Al-Battani's 'Kitabul Jiz', Abu Mashar Al-Jafar's 'Jiz Abi Mashar', in great scientist Al-Biruni's 'Qanune Masudi', in algebra, Omar Khayyam's 'Kitabul Jabr', Al-Karkhir ‘Al-Kafi fil Hisab’, ‘Hisabul Jabri wal Muqabalah’ by ​​Musa al-Khwarizmi, known for his algebra, ‘Al Qanun Fit-Tib’ by Abu Ali Ibn Sina in medicine, ‘Firdausul Hikmah’ by ​​Ali Ibn Rabban, ‘Al Kitabul Mansuri’, ‘Al Kitabul Hawi’, ‘Al Judari wal Hasbah’ by ​​scientists, ‘Al Kitabul Al-Farawi’ in political science, ‘Siasat’ and ‘Ara’ by Farabi, ‘Muqaddamah’ by ​​Ibn Khaldun, ‘Jamharat-un-Nasab’ by Kalbi in history, ‘Al Magazi’ by Waqidi, ‘Futuhul Buldan’ by Balachjuri, ‘Tarikhul Rusul wal-Muluk’ by Imam Tabari, ‘Miratuz-Zaman’ by Al Masudi, known as the Herodata of Arabia, ‘Tarikhul Islam', Imam Ibn Asakir's 'History of Medina and Damascus', Spanish scholar Ibn Khaldun's 'History of Ibn Khaldun', and hundreds of thousands of Muslim books continue to bear the bright legacy of Muslims in knowledge and science. These books, like diamonds, have become the guiding principles of modern civilization.

After these books of knowledge were translated from Arabic to Latin and English, new horizons of knowledge and scientific pursuits were opened. (Contribution of Muslims to Science, Muhammad Nurul Amin)

Therefore, Muslims are the first and true beacon of world civilization. Behind the progress and dazzling excellence of today's modern world lies the indomitable pursuit of knowledge and relentless pursuit of knowledge of Muslim scholars. Many researchers in the West and Europe have frankly admitted this. For example, the famous orientalist Carlyle wrote, 'The Arabs were desert-dwelling Bedouins. They were neglected for ages. Then, when a prophet appeared among them, they became the center of knowledge and science. After scarcity, they gained abundance. After being neglected, they achieved a prestigious place in the world. Within a century, they had enlightened the entire world with their knowledge and science. [Ar-Rasulul Mu'allim wa Asalibuhu Fittalim; Shaykh Abdul Fattah, 11 (commentary)]