Search for Knowledge is an Expression of Faith

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Ya Ali Madad and Salgirah Mubarak! On the occasion of the 86th birthday of Noor Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam (a.s.), we extend Salgirah Mubarak to the global Jamat. Let us reflect upon the Institution of Imamat and offer heartfelt gratitude for the guidance and vision of our present and living Holy Imam.

On this day, may Noor Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, the 49th direct lineal descendant of the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.), grant peace, prosperity, happiness, barakat, higher spiritual enlightenment, spiritual & luminous tayid (help) and empowerment to the global Jamat as we go through this difficult period. Ameen.

Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (O Allah! Bestow Peace on and through Muhammad and his Descendants).

Noor Mowlana’s Hazar Imam’s Emphasis on Search for Knowledge

Through his farmans, Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam has taught us that the search for knowledge is an expression of faith and has directed us to use knowledge to understand better the creation of Allah. I came across an article titled ‘The Metalaw of Holistic Haqq: Toward a Just Third Way beyond Capitalism and Socialism in the Holy Land by Robert Dickson Crane which is published in the journal, Sacred Web 33:101-119. I now present content from this book which will help us to understand why it is important the real nature and inner characteristic of everything we do on a daily basis.

The Essence of Holistic Education

Modern theories of education usually deny the possibility of an essence in anything, including the essence of their own relativism. Centuries ago Islamic scholars developed a perspective in what is known as maqasid al shari’ah, which in its essence is the science of ultimate ends. This is based on the common purpose of all sentient beings and even on every plant and animal in its own way, which, in turn, is based on study of their common origins.

Robert Dickson Crane. 2014. Sacred Web, pp. 104-5.

Qur’anic Teachings From Crane’s Article (1)

In the Qur’an, Surah al Rahman 55:6, we read, wa al najmu wa al shajaru yasujdan, “and the stars and the trees bow down to God”, but in ways you do not understand. As developed in my book, Rehabilitating the Role of Religion in the World, in the section on shar’i principle or maqsad of haqq al mahid (environmental justice), this is developed further by reference to Surah al Nur 24:31: “Are you not aware it is God whose limitless glory all [creatures] that are in the heavens and on earth extol, even the birds as they spread our their wings? Each [of them] knows how to pray unto Him and glorify Him. And God has full knowledge of all that they do, for God’s is the domain over the heavens and the earth, and with God is the journey’s end.” Allah tells us in Surah al ‘Isra 17:43-44, “And there is not a single thing but extols His limitless glory and praise. But you [O humans] fail to grasp the manner of glorifying Him”. The Qur’an summarizes all this in the simple phrase, “Wherever you turn, there is the face of God”.

Robert Dickson Crane. 2014. Sacred Web, p. 105.

The Position Qur’anic Teachings From Crane’s Article (2)

The Qur’an speaks of an inner truth on Creation. Thus, in Surah al Hijr 15:85 we read, wa ma khalaqna al samawat wa al ‘ard wa ma bainahuma ille bil haqq, “and We have created the heavens and the earth and all that lives in between with an inner truth”. This is repeated again and again in different contexts, in Surah Yunus 10:5, Al-i ‘Imran 3:191, Hajj 22:18, and Sad 38:27, where the term batilan is used and best translated as “meaning and purpose”.

Robert Dickson Crane. 2014. Sacred Web, p. 105.

The Position Qur’anic Teachings From Crane’s Article (3)

Introducing Surah al Hijr 15:85 is 15:75, which reads ina fi dhalika i’ayatini lil mutawasimin, “in this are messages for those who can read the signs”. The root word wasama in its fifth form tawasama means to watch or examine closely. Both of the classical commentators Razi and Zamakshari say that mutawasim means “one who applies mind to study the outward appearance of a thing with a view to understanding its real nature and its inner characteristics”. This search for the inner or higher truth of reality is the highest purpose of the Maqasid al Shari’ah as meta-legal guidelines for human responsibilities and rights.

Robert Dickson Crane. 2014. Sacred Web, p. 105.

Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam’s Response to Global Environment Change

The study of Nature us being actively promoted by Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam as described in the following statement:

Among other things, new technologies can help address growing environmental urgencies, I think, for example, of the pressing need for energy and water conservation, and of the risks associated with climate change, weather extremes and geological instability. Used alertly and intelligently, new technologies can help us cope with bewildering environmental challenges.

His Highness the Aga Khan, Doha, November 2010

AKDN’s Environmental and Climate Commitment

Each AKDN agency and institution plays a crucial role in helping to protect the environment and mitigate climate change, whether generating clean energy, operating climate-friendly hospitals and health centres, working to reduce the risk from climate-induced disasters, promoting environmentally conscious tourism, or undertaking climate research.

AKDN is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Accord and aim to become net zero carbon by 2030.

We all have an excellent chance to participate in the study of Nature and provide expertise to solving problems facing humanity. This is a part of the ethic of our faith!

Let us offer gratitude for being under the umbrella of a present and living Imam who is the 49th direct lineal descendant of the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.). Shukran Lillah Wal Hamdu Lillah and Salgirah Mubarak!

Angelic Salwat Supplication

Let us now start supplicating with angelic salwat, Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (O Allah! Bestow Peace on and through Muhammad and his Descendants) to our beloved NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam for mushkil aasan for material and spiritual upliftment.

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Ardent Prayers

May our beloved NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam, through the knowledge and barakat of the Holy Qur'an, Holy Ginans & Qasidas, Ayatul Kursi and Angelic Salwat, grant the global Jamat luminous (noorani) and spiritual (ruhani) tayid (help) to advance materially, spiritually and intellectually. May Mowla bestow Sunshine in our hearts, light in our foreheads, and the inner vision of the Truth in our intellects. Ameen.

May Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam fill our spiritual hearts with his NOOR and nothing else, and empower us to overcome fear, anxiety and uncertainty as we pass through this calamity! Ameen.

May the Almighty Creator help the whole humanity because we are all created from a Single Soul! Ameen.

Rakh Mowla je Noor te Yaqeen (Certainly, we trust in Mowla's Light only)

Haizinda — Qayampaya
(Our Present Imam is Living and His NOOR is Eternal)