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DaSangarTalib
03-28-2006, 07:03 PM
:salamext:

Since most modern universities all over the world either belong to, or are derived from the European university tradition, it can be inferred that modern university education dates back to a little over eight hundred years. The history of modern universities could be traced to the University of Paris, which was founded in France in 1150 C.E.

It would be recalled that this University was the only center of learning and excellence in Europe for many years before the Oxford University was established during 1167-1168. Some 50 years later, some of the scholars at Oxford migrated to Cambridge, precisely in 1209 to establish the University of Cambridge. The next university did not come into existence before 1828.

It may be observed that the Muslim Arabs had established educational institutions at Basrah, Kufah, Baghdad, Cairo and Cordova long before Europe could establish its universities.

It is on record, for example, that Al-Azhar University in Cairo predates any university in the Western world. There are other several examples. Sufficient it is to mention the example of Muhammad Ibn Musa, popularly known and called Al-Khwairzmi (780-850). He was one of the greatest scientific minds Islam has ever produced.

Apart from compiling the oldest astronomical tables, Al-Khawarizmi prepared material on arithmetic and algebra. His work on algebra was entitled: Hisab Al-Jabr wal-Muqabalah (the calculation of integration and equation). The translated version of this word was used until the Sixteenth Century as the principle textbook on mathematics in European universities.

Just like Muhammad Ibn Musa, there are a host of Muslim Arabs, who contributed immensely to knowledge. Al-Razi (865-925), for example, known in the West as Rhazes, was a man of many parts; a theologian, philosopher, chemist, physician and author, who had to his credit over a hundred books, including an encyclopedia of medical knowledge entitled: Al-Hawi.

This book was translated into Latin in 1279, and it remained a standard work in medical schools in Europe for 700 years. The List of these great scholars is endless. But since the focus of attention in our discussion is the Qur'anic approach to learning, we may like to examine those factors, which have facilitated the acquisition of knowledge for the early Muslims and which can still help those, who are genuinely interested in the pursuit of knowledge.

Perhaps the first motivation for knowledge is the Qur'anic command to all Muslims to seek knowledge. The very first verses to be revealed to our Noble Prophet (PBUH) was concerned with reading and writing.

The Qur'an says: "Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created - Created man, out of a leech-like clot: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, He Who taught (the use of) the pen; taught man that which he knew not." (96:1-5)

In the above passage, man is encouraged to read materials available to him in order to acquire knowledge. The secret of knowledge, according to the Glorious Qur'an, is not esoteric: it is only a system of applying one's faculties to the acquisition of knowledge through extensive reading.

Next to reading is the principle of questioning. The Qur'an says: "Ask the followers of the remembrance (i.e. Divine Book) if you know not." (16: 43)

It is evident from this Qur'anic passage that it is not enough to read, rather it is equally essential for a reader to ask questions as he reads. If a mind is not willing or not awake or too lazy to ask questions, such a mind will not be able to grasp what he reads. Thus critical thinking and questioning constitute the basis of the Qur'anic approach to learning.

Another very important principle of learning to which Qur'an attaches real importance, and which many people overlook is traveling. The Qur'an encourages undertaking travels in search of knowledge, and for the purpose of study of the condition of different lands and people.

The story of Moses and Al-Khedr in search of knowledge is highlighted in the Holy Qur'an giving an example to the importance of undertaking travels for learning. So, it is on record that early Muslims responded to this Qur'anic call for seeking knowledge.

Mention must be made of Al-Bukhari, who traveled for about 16 years during which he collected 600,000 Hadiths. His collection became the most important of the six authentic books of Prophetic traditions, which have an unquestionable authority, second only to the Qur'an itself.

If one goes by this principle and travels with the right frame of mind, one will definitely gain some knowledge. The famous English essayist, Francis Bacon, has attested to this fact when he says: "Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education, in the elder, a part of experience."

Furthermore, it is most helpful in the Qur'anic approach to learning to have fear of Allah. The Qur'an says: "Fear Allah and Allah teaches you. Allah is well acquainted with all things." (2: 282)

Calmness is another principle which the Qur'an recommends for any seeker after knowledge. The Glorious Book of Allah states: "O you who believe: persevere in patience and constancy…" (3: 200) A person, who is genuinely interested in the pursuit of knowledge, should remain level-headed and steadfast under all circumstances. He should not be easily swept off his feet by shallow arguments or lose his head as a result of being instigated by others.

Finally, a seeker after knowledge, according to the Qur'anic approach to learning, must treat the whole society in which he lives and the entire world at large as his own institution of learning bearing in mind that life is one long learning process. Summarizing this principle, the Prophet (peace be on him) was quoted as saying: "A piece of knowledge from wherever gained is like a lost property recovered; let him who finds it take it as it was his own."

---

:wasalamex
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romina
05-19-2006, 09:37 AM
pride,greed and envy are the three basic traits which the foundation
of all sins and crimes in this world .All three were clearly demonstrated
in the very beginning of mankind when satan refused to boe down before Adam and
arrogantly declared that he was better.It was pride which led to disobedience
to Allah. Eve,owing to her greed,was persuaded by Satan that eating
from the forbidden tree' would be to her benefit.Cain became envious of his
brother Abel and killed him.Envy led to the capital sin and crime
the Holy Prophet (s) has said:"Allah saya,greatness is my
prerogative and whoever tries to share it with me (becomes proyd) I will put him in Hell."
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IceQueen~
05-19-2006, 09:45 AM
knowledge is the heritage of the prophets too..
masha allah-this is a really nice reminder
Jazakallah Khair bro/sis-may Allah reward you, ameen.:w:
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saidaharther
05-19-2006, 09:57 AM
salam alaikum
jazak allah hayr
mashalah it is veyr amazing the dedication Muslims put into learning about islam and many other fields of knowledge, today muslims left their religion and now they are behind in everything (most of them) that is very sad
salam alaikum
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IceQueen~
05-19-2006, 11:12 AM
i wish there was an 'alimah course according to authentic sunnah and quran in manchester...
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romina
05-19-2006, 07:28 PM
assalam o allaikom
enshallah Allah help the muslim to be better than now
and know our prophet better
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- Qatada -
05-19-2006, 07:36 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by romina
pride,greed and envy are the three basic traits which the foundation
of all sins and crimes in this world .All three were clearly demonstrated
in the very beginning of mankind when satan refused to boe down before Adam and
arrogantly declared that he was better.It was pride which led to disobedience
to Allah. Eve,owing to her greed,was persuaded by Satan that eating
from the forbidden tree' would be to her benefit.
Cain became envious of his
brother Abel and killed him.Envy led to the capital sin and crime
the Holy Prophet (s) has said:"Allah saya,greatness is my
prerogative and whoever tries to share it with me (becomes proyd) I will put him in Hell."

:salamext:


The christians and the jews blame Hawwa (eve) [peace be upon her] - and they say that she persuaded Aadam (peace be upon him) to eat from the tree.


The Judaeo-Christian conception of the creation of Adam and Eve is narrated in detail in Genesis 2:4-3:24. God prohibited both of them from eating the fruits of the forbidden tree. The serpent seduced Eve to eat from it and Eve, in turn, seduced Adam to eat with her. When God rebuked Adam for what he did, he put all the blame on Eve, "The woman you put here with me --she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it."; Consequently, God said to Eve: "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you." To Adam He said: "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree .... Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life..."


Whereas in islam, we do not blame Eve, and unlike the christians and jews - we believe that both Aadam and Hawwa (eve) were equal to be blamed for eating from the tree.


"O Adam dwell with your wife in the Garden and enjoy as you wish but approach not this tree or you run into harm and transgression. Then Satan whispered to them in order to reveal to them their shame that was hidden from them and he said: 'Your Lord only forbade you this tree lest you become angels or such beings as live forever.' And he swore to them both that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought them to their fall: when they tasted the tree their shame became manifest to them and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: 'Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that Satan was your avowed enemy?' They said: 'Our Lord we have wronged our own souls and if You forgive us not and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost' " (Quran 7:19:23).


A careful look into the two accounts of the story of the Creation reveals some essential differences. The Quran, contrary to the Bible, places equal blame on both Adam and Eve for their mistake. Nowhere in the Quran can one find even the slightest hint that Eve tempted Adam to eat from the tree or even that she had eaten before him.

Eve's Fault?
http://www.islamawareness.net/Adam/fault.html


Allaah Almighty knows best.




:wasalamex
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Angel
06-01-2006, 05:23 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by romina
assalam o allaikom
enshallah Allah help the muslim to be better than now
and know our prophet better
yh insha allah may allah help all muslims dat need help
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