Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 116)
Educational Lessons from the Story of Prophets Musa and Al-Khidr (AS)
First Lesson: The Scholar’s Humility and Avoiding Intellectual Arrogance
One of the greatest educational lessons derived from the story of Prophets Musa and Al-Khidr (AS) is the necessity for scholars to remain humble and to avoid intellectual pride. No matter how extensive a person’s knowledge may be, it should never lead to arrogance or the feeling that one no longer needs to learn from others. Absolute knowledge belongs to Allah alone, and there will always be someone who possesses greater knowledge in a particular field.
The Qur’an proclaims: (نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتٍ مَّن نَّشَاءُ وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ) Translation: “We elevate in ranks whomever We choose, and above every knowledgeable individual is one who possesses greater knowledge.” [1]
In another verse, Allah says (وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا), Translation: “You have been given only a little knowledge.” [2]
A practical example of this principle appears in the story of Prophet Musa (AS). This event provides a profound lesson for all students, teachers, researchers, and callers to Islam: they should never become proud of their knowledge or imagine that they have reached the highest level of learning. However vast human knowledge may be, it remains insignificant compared with the infinite knowledge of Allah.
Therefore, people of knowledge should always:
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Recognize their knowledge as a blessing from Allah (SWT) rather than a means of superiority over others.
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Remain willing to learn from others, even if those individuals are younger or hold a lower social status.
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Guard their hearts against self-admiration and pride when receiving praise from people.
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Attribute every scholarly achievement to Allah and continually ask Him to increase them in knowledge and insight.
The Qur’an declares that every blessing, including knowledge, comes from Allah: (وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ) Translation: “Whatever blessing you have is from Allah.” [3]
Knowledge is therefore a divine gift that Allah grants to His servants according to His wisdom, and the different levels of human knowledge are determined by His will. The more knowledge a person acquires, the greater should be his humility, manners, and sense of responsibility. The hallmark of a true scholar is humility before Allah and respect for other people of knowledge.
Second Lesson: Knowledge Is an Endless Path Toward Human Perfection
From the Islamic perspective, Allah (SWT) is the ultimate source of all knowledge, and His knowledge has neither limit nor end. The Qur’an says: (قُل لَّوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا) Translation: “Say: If the sea were ink for writing the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought another sea like it to replenish it.” [4]
Therefore, no matter how much knowledge a person acquires, he should never consider himself free from the need to learn. Instead, he should always strive to increase his knowledge. When Prophet Musa (AS) learned that one of Allah’s servants possessed knowledge that he himself did not have, he eagerly undertook a journey to learn from him.
Allah also taught this principle to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by commanding him: (وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا) Translation: “And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'” [5]
It is noteworthy that Allah commanded His Messenger (PBUH) to ask for an increase only in knowledge, highlighting its lofty status and immense value. [6]
The Virtue of Knowledge in the Qur’an
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Knowledge Distinguishes Human Beings from Other Creatures
The distinguishing characteristic of human beings is their ability to think, understand, and learn. Those who fail to benefit from these faculties are described in the Qur’an as follows: (لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ آذَانٌ لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا أُولَٰئِكَ كَالْأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ) Translation: “They have hearts with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like livestock; rather, they are even more misguided.” [7]
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Knowledge Is the Source of Human Honor
After teaching Prophet Adam (PBUH) the names of all things, Allah commanded the angels to prostrate before him (وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ…). These verses demonstrate that knowledge is the foundation of human dignity and honor. [8]
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Knowledge Leads to Reverence for Allah
The Qur’an states: (إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ) Translation: “Only those of His servants who possess knowledge truly fear Allah.” [9]
The deeper a person’s knowledge of Allah becomes, the greater his reverence, humility, and devotion to Him.
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Knowledge Raises One’s Rank
Allah (SWT) says: (يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ) Translation: “Allah will raise in rank those among you who believe and those who have been given knowledge.”
To be continued…
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References:
[1]. Surah Yusuf 12:76.
[2]. Surah Al-Isrāʾ 17:85.
[3]. Surah An-Naḥl 16:53.
[4]. Surah Al-Kahf 18:109.
[5]. Surah Ṭā Hā 20:114.
[6]. Al-Zamakhsharī, Jār Allāh Maḥmūd, Tafsīr al-Kashshāf, p. 667.
[7]. Surah Al-Aʿrāf 7:179.
[8]. [8]. Surah Fāṭir 35:28.
