Knowledge

When I graduated with a civil engineering degree in 1976, I thought I have some knowledge.More than two decades later,when I was asked," What is knowledge?",I could not give an answer.Knowledge has many definations, but the one that means something to me is the defination by Prof Dr Syed Naguib al-Attas in his book entitled Prolegomena to The Metaphysic of Islam:

Knowledge is both the arrival of meaning in the soul as well as the soul's arrival at meaning.

Later, I realised that what I have learnt is a small portion of a body of knowledge in one discipline of engineering. I have acquired the understanding of its theory and practice over the years.Then I began to question whether I really have the knowledge of engineering in my particular discipline? Or just a datebase of information on civil engineering?

In all humility, after more than a quarter century of working in engineering and management fields,real understanding comes after some practice. It did not come in volumes like some engineering manuals, but it trickles a bit at a time.

Imaam Sufyan ibn 'Yyaynah was asked,"Who is most in need of seeking knowledge?'.He answered," Those who have the most knowledge".When he was asked,"Why?" ,he replied,"Because if they make a mistake,it is worse".

Not only lacking in undertanding the worldly knowledge, I also discovered that I have very little knowledge on Islam, my own religion.What I have acquired over the years while in schools is very little and shallow indeed. I believe all of us muslims/muslimah must put extra efforts to learn more about Islam. Just compare your knowledge on Islam to your knowledge about your job or your profession?

Now only I undertand that knowledge comes with arrival of meaning.My degree only certified that I have attended the course and passed my examination at Sheffield University in civil engineering.Period.

Note: The above photo is one of the 'Usrah' session that I attend every two weeks,insyaAllah.

Comments

[md]

Abedib,

If I can recalled a conversation that we had sometime last year, I did mention to you that, "the more I learned, the more I noticed that I knew very little..".

IMHO I'm quite agree with the proverb "tuntutlah ilmu dari dalam buaian sehingga ke liang lahad". We should not stop to learn. It is sunnah. Wallahu'alam.

[Adib]

MD,
This posting is a reminder to me and others that most of us after we graduated, we got caught in our work and do very little reading and learning.

For those who called themselves professionals, they need to continuously updating their knowledge;failing which ,IMHO, they cease to be professionals.

When it comes to religous knowledge,amal must complement knowledge.

[jiwarasa]

Pak Adib,

Just to share.

Learning is any relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of experience. - Stephen P Robbins

which means that learning must lead to change in behaviour. Learning is futile if it is not reflected in changes in our behaviour. In our case learning should lead us to become a better Muslim and a better person.

Wallahua'lam

[Adib]

Thanks Jiwarasa for your inputs!
Another thing that we evaluate is what knowledge do we have and what knowledge that we must have-for this temporal world as well as for the next world.

Prof Kamal hasan of UIA wrote that knowledge are divided into three categories:

1.empirical knowledge.
2.scientific knowledge.
3.revealed knowledge(wahyu).

We need all of the above.