Ali ibne Abi Talib on the Importance of Education and Seeking Knowledge
Knowledge as Criterion of Personal
Distinction: A
person is worth what he excels at; your superiority over others is in
proportion to the extent of your knowledge and wisdom.[i]
Education and Leadership: Whoever wants to be a leader should
educate himself before educating others.[ii]
Theory and Practice: Theoretical as well as practical knowledge are the best signs of distinction; deep thinking will present the clearest picture of every problem.[iii]
Theory and Practice: Theoretical as well as practical knowledge are the best signs of distinction; deep thinking will present the clearest picture of every problem.[iii]
On the Need for Studying History: Learn lessons from past events in order to understand and prepare for future events, because they are similar to one another; and study how nations are similar in their states and traits.[iv] Studying the causes of the rise and fall of civilizations is a critical means to acquire knowledge.[v]
Legacy of Scholars: Scholars live forever. They disappear
only in physical image, but in the hearts and minds of people, their memories
and messages last forever.[vi]
Linkage Between Knowledge and Practice: Knowledge and its practice must go
hand in hand. Whoever is knowledgeable must act. Knowledge calls upon action;
if answered, it will remain, but otherwise, it will disappear.[vii]
Education
Process: Education involves the observation of events, learning lessons from
history, and acquiring wisdom through thinking and analysis.[viii]
Specialized Training:
Administrative officials of the government cannot serve efficiently without
proper education and training.[ix]
Benefits
of Education: He who acts without knowledge is like the one
who is without direction. Consequently, his objectives remain unachieved. But
the one who is well educated and well informed treads a clear path. Lack of education hinders one’s capacity to
comprehend. Knowledge arms an individual to face the dangers of life.[x]
Chapter 5
[i] Nahjul Balagha Saying no. 81 & 175.
[ii]
Ibid., Saying no. 73.
[iii]
Ibid., Saying no. 4.
[iv]
Ibid., Sermon no. 69 & 192.
[v]
Ibid., Saying no. 30.
[vi]
Ibid., Saying no. 146.
[vii]
UNDP and Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Arab Human Development Report 2002, p. 82.
[viii] Nahjul Balagha, Saying no. 146.
[ix]
Ibid., Letter no. 53.
[x]
Ibid., Sermon no. 153 & Letter no. 31.
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