In the Islamic theory of knowledge,
the term used for knowledge in Arabic is ‘ilm
Ramazan Ajredini

Knowledge’ falls short of expressing all the aspects of ‘ilm. Knowledge in the Western world means
information about something, divine or corporeal, which ‘ilm is an al-embracing term covering
theory, action and education.

‘ilm is Islam.

It may be said that islam is the path of “knowledge.” No other religion or ideology has so much
emphasized the importance of ‘ilm.

The Qur'an emphasizes that one should pursue only that aim of which he has a definite and clear
knowledge. "Do not pursue that (matter) of which you have no knowledge, for ears, eyes, and heart
all are accountable": (Surah Bani Israel, 17:36).

It is important to note that pen and book are essential to the acquisition of knowledge. The
Islamic revelation started with the word ira’ (read! Or ‘recite!’).

Allah is the first teacher and the absolute guide to humanity.

‘Ilm is of three types: information (as opposed to ignorance), natural laws, and knowledge by
conjecture. The first and second types of knowledge are considered useful and their acquisition is
made obligatory. As for the third type, which referes to what is known through guesswork and
conjecture, or is accompanied with doubt, we shall take that into consideration, since conjecture
or doubt are sometimes essential for knowledge s a means, but not as an end.
Guess and conjecture do not lead to such a knowledge.

`Most of them follow nothing except conjecture, and conjecture can certainly not take the place of
truth. Surely, Allah is fully aware of what they do" . (SurahYunus, 10:36).

From the point of view of the Qur'an conjecture has no value at all. In several verses it has been
described as a senseless and blind action. (Vide Surah al An'am, 6:148 and Surah Ale Imran,
3:154).

An important question arises as to how one can overcome his doubts regarding certain doctrines
about God, the universe, and man. It is generally believed that in Islam, as far as belief is
concerned, there is no place for doubting and questioning the existence of God, the prophethood of
Hadrt Muhammad (S) and the Divine injunctions.

‘Ilm is referred to in many Quranic verses as ‘light’ nur), and Allah is also described as the
ultimate nur. It means that ‘ilm is the general sense is synonymous with the ‘light’ of Allah.

Doubt is sometimes interpreted in the Quran as darkness, and ingnorance also is depicted as
darkness in a number of its verses. Allah is depicted as nur, and knowledge is also symbolized as
nur.

The Qur'an has mentioned some basic organs through which reliable knowledge is obtained. They are:

Ears for hearing, Eyes for seeing, Heart for understanding

"Allah brought you out of your mothers' wombs in such a state that you knew nothing. He gave you
ears and hearts, so that you may be thankful". (Surah al Nahl, 16:78).

There is another verse which says:

"Then He fashioned him and breathed His Spirit into him. He has given you ears, eyes and hearts;
yet you show little gratitude ". (Surah al Sajdah 32:9).

One of the main sources of our knowledge is hearing, through which we come to know of the
experience, investigations, and the ideas of others. We hear of many events from other individuals
and other reliable sources.

Another main source of our knowledge is seeing and observation.

The third source is inner perception and comprehension. The knowledge which is obtained through
seeing, hearing and inner observation still remains superficial and has little value till it is
further studied, evaluated and analyzed. This raw material must be processed in the region of
heart so that it may become reliable, valuable and fit for being accepted and followed.
  
"They have hearts but do not understand with them, they have eyes but do not see with them and
they have ears, but do not hear with them. They are like beasts or further astray. They are
heedless ". (Surah al A'raf, 7:179).

Allah is the light of the heavens and earth… Allah is the Master of the believers and he guides
them out of the darkness into light. Usually darkness is interpreted as unbelief and light as
faith in God. And Light may be attained by those who struggle against darkness.