You know, the very first word revealed from the heavens to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) wasn’t “pray” or “fast,” but “Read!” (Iqra!). SubhanAllah! This single command echoes through eternity, establishing the profound importance Islam places on learning, understanding, and seeking knowledge.

The root letters ‘ayn-lam-meem (ع ل م), from which ‘ilm derives, appear hundreds upon hundreds of times throughout the Quran. This isn’t a coincidence, my dear friends. It’s a clear sign from Allah (SWT) that knowledge is central to our journey towards Him.

Let us reflect together on some beautiful Quranic verses – divine quotes – that illuminate this path of knowledge and education.

1. The Education in the First Verse Revealed: Read!

Allah (SWT) begins His final revelation with this powerful instruction:

“ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ‎﴿١﴾‏ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ‎﴿٢﴾‏ ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ ‎﴿٣﴾‏ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ ‎﴿٤﴾‏ عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ ‎﴿٥﴾‏”  

“Iqra’ bismi Rabbika alladhee khalaq. Khalaqa al-insaana min ‘alaq. Iqra’ wa Rabbuka al-Akram. Alladhee ‘allama bil-qalam. ‘Allama al-insaana maa lam ya’lam”

“Read! In the Name of your Lord Who created, (1) Created man from a clinging substance. (2) Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, (3) Who taught by the pen, (4) Taught man that which he knew not. (5)” (Surah Al-‘Alaq, 96:1-5)  

The command Iqra’ (Read!) is given twice. It’s not just about literacy, but about seeking knowledge, reciting, understanding, and reflecting – all starting bi-ismi Rabbika (in the Name of your Lord). 

Knowledge begins with Allah and leads back to Him. 

This first revelation sets the entire tone: faith and knowledge are intertwined. It’s a direct call to learn, starting with the Quran itself.

2. A Quranic Supplication Quote on Seeking More Knowledge

Even the greatest of creation, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was instructed to continuously seek more knowledge. This is a lesson for all of us:

“وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًۭا”

“wa qul Rabbi zidnee ‘ilmaa”

“…and say: ‘My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.'” (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:114)

Allahu Akbar! If the Prophet (PBUH), who received revelation directly, was told to make this du’a (supplication), imagine how much more we need to ask this! 

The word zidnee (increase me) shows that seeking knowledge is not a one-time event, but a continuous, lifelong journey.

Understanding the depth of such verses truly comes alive when one delves into the Quranic Arabic itself. The richness and nuances often hold keys to deeper meaning. If you’re feeling inspired to begin that journey, exploring structured lessons like Quranica’s Quranic Arabic Course can be a wonderful and accessible first step, allowing you to connect more profoundly with these divine words.

3. ِA Quranic Verse About the Elevation Through Knowledge and Faith

Allah (SWT) explicitly promises to raise the status of those who combine faith with the pursuit of knowledge:

“يَرْفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ دَرَجَـٰتٍۢ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌۭ”

“yarfa’i Allahu alladheena aamanoo minkum walladheena ootoo al-‘ilma darajaat; wallahu bimaa ta’maloona khabeer”

“…Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees [ranks]. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Surah Al-Mujadila, 58:11)

What a beautiful promise! Yarfa’i Allahu – Allah elevates! He connects imaan (faith) and al-‘ilm (knowledge) as the means to attain higher darajaat (ranks, levels). 

This elevation can be understood in this life (respect, wisdom, ability to benefit others) and most importantly, in the Hereafter. It shows that seeking beneficial knowledge, especially knowledge of the Quran and the Deen, is an act of worship that Allah rewards immensely. 

Learning to read the Quran correctly with its beautiful rules (Tajweed) is a fundamental step in honouring these words and gaining this knowledge. It allows the verses to truly enter the heart. For those starting out, exploring courses like Tajweed for Beginners can make this blessed journey smoother and more rewarding.

4. A Quranic Quote About The Knowing vs. The Unknowing

The Quran elevates those who possess knowledge, making a clear distinction between them and those who remain ignorant:

“قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ”

“qul hal yastawee alladheena ya’lamoona walladheena laa ya’lamoon; innamaa yatadhakkaru ooloo al-albaab”

“…Say: ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:9)  

This rhetorical question strikes powerfully, doesn’t it? Allah makes it self-evident: the one who knows cannot be equal to the one who doesn’t. 

This isn’t about worldly status, but about the light of understanding, guidance, and closeness to Allah that knowledge brings. 

5. The Purpose of Revealing Quran is to Reflect Upon its Verses

Why learn the Quran? Is it merely to recite the sounds beautifully (though that is also blessed)? Allah tells us the deeper purpose is reflection and understanding.

This blessed book was revealed for a specific purpose:

“كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌۭ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ”

“Kitābun ’anzalnāhu ’ilayka mubārakul-liyadabbarū ’āyātihī wa liyataḏakkara ’ulul-’albāb.”

“[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.”  (Surah Sad 38:29)

Here lies the heart of engaging with the Quran: liyadabbarū ’āyātihī (لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ) – so that they may reflect upon its verses. 

The word tadabbur implies deep reflection, pondering, going beyond the surface meaning to grasp the wisdom within. 

This is the goal! And again, it is the ’ulul-’albāb (people of understanding) who truly benefit (liyataḏakkara – that they may be reminded/take heed). 

Okay, my dear brothers and sisters, the Quranic ocean of knowledge is vast and deep. Let us dive a little further and explore four more pearls of wisdom regarding ‘ilm. These verses offer further dimensions to our understanding, reminding us of the connection between knowledge, reverence, responsibility, and the infinite wisdom of our Creator.

Read more about: Quranic Verses about Dua

6. A Quranic Quote on How Knowledge Leads to Awe of Allah

One of the most profound fruits of true knowledge is the development of khashyah – a state of reverential awe and fear of Allah rooted in understanding His Majesty and Power. The Quran explicitly links knowledge with this state:

“إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ”

“innamaa yakhsha Allaha min ‘ibaadihi al-‘ulamaa; inna Allaha ‘azeezun ghafoor.”

“Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.” (Surah Fatir, 35:28)

This isn’t simply fear, but a profound reverence born from recognizing Allah’s attributes, His creation’s intricacies, His power, and His mercy (‘Azeez, Ghafoor). 

The more one learns about Allah and His signs, the greater their awe and consciousness of Him becomes. This highlights that seeking knowledge is a path to deeper spirituality and God-consciousness.  

7. A Quranic Quote on Pursuing Certainty

Islam guides us to build our beliefs and actions upon firm knowledge, not conjecture or hearsay. We are accountable for how we use the faculties Allah has given us to acquire understanding:

“وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًۭا”

“Wa laa taqfu maa laysa laka bihee ‘ilm; inna as-sam’a wal-basara wal-fu’aada kullu ulaa’ika kaana ‘anhu mas’oolaa.”

“And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:36)  

The command lā taqfu means do not follow, pursue, or speak about that of which you have no certain knowledge (‘ilm). This is a fundamental principle guarding against assumption, speculation, and spreading falsehoods. 

8. A Quranic Quote on Grasping the Vastness of Allah’s Knowledge

To cultivate humility in our pursuit of knowledge, the Quran presents a powerful image illustrating the infinite nature of Allah’s wisdom compared to our limited human capacity:

“قُل لَّوْ كَانَ ٱلْبَحْرُ مِدَادًۭا لِّكَلِمَـٰتِ رَبِّى لَنَفِدَ ٱلْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَـٰتُ رَبِّى وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِۦ مَدَدًۭا”  

“Qul law kaanal-bahru midaadal-likalimati Rabbee lanafidal-bahru qabla an tanfada Kalimatu Rabbee wa law ji’naa bimithlihee madadaa.”

“Say, [O Muhammad], “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 the like of it as reinforcement.”” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:109)  

Imagine all the oceans (al-baḥr) turned into ink (midād) to write the Kalimāt (Words, Knowledge, Wisdom, Decrees) of Allah. That immense ocean of ink would run dry before the knowledge of Allah could ever be fully recorded, even if another ocean were brought to replenish it! 

9. A Quranic Quote on Gaining Knowledge Through Reflecting on Creation

Knowledge in Islam isn’t confined to textual study; Allah invites us to learn by observing and reflecting upon the universe He has created. The cosmos itself is a book filled with signs for those who ponder:

“إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ”

“Inna fee khalqis-samaawaati wal-ardi wakhtilaafil-layli wan-nahaari la’aayaatil li’oolil-albaab.”

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, there are signs for people of understanding.” (Surah Aal-i-Imran, 3:190)  

Li ūlil-albāb – for those possessors of lubb, intellect, deep understanding, those who think and reflect. Pondering the vastness, precision, and beauty of the universe leads to knowledge of the Creator’s existence, power, wisdom, and mercy. This encourages an empirical and reflective approach to learning, complementing the knowledge gained from revelation.

10. A Quranic Command to Ask Who Have Knowledge

Knowing where to seek knowledge is as important as desiring it. When faced with uncertainty or lack of knowledge, Allah gives us clear, practical instructions:

“فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ”

“Fas’aloo ahladh-dhikri in kuntum laa ta’lamoon.”

“So ask the people of the message [ahl adh-dhikr] if you do not know.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:43)

It highlights a core principle: knowledge is often acquired through inquiry and learning from those who possess it. It counters arrogance and encourages the humility to admit when we don’t know and to seek guidance from reliable sources. This principle is why seeking qualified teachers is so vital on the path of learning the Quran and Islam.

Begin Your Blessed Journey of Knowledge with Quranica

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