Importance of Secular Education & Prophet Yusuf

[sheikhonderun]

This is an excerpt from one of Tariq Masood’s speeches. Its translated more or less meaning. My notes are in brackets.

Knowledge that you are getting in universities this is secular education. This is also important. Islam doesn’t negate this. But if this knowledge is making you heedless of Allah then this ‘knowledge’ will be means of you going to hell. In Islam, its valuable to obtain knowledge whether its of this world or hereafter. I hope I can explain the value of (secular) education through incident of Prophet Yusuf. When King of Egypt called Yusuf (as), upon giving the correct interpretation of the dream. Yusuf (as) realized that King is pleased with him and wants to grant him position.

(“And when King spoke to him, he said, “Indeed, you are today established [in position] and trusted.” (12:54))

Yusuf (as) could have said build a mosque. Think about it? King was Non-Muslim. He could have said I am Prophet of Allah, prayers will be held at the mosque and remembrance of Allah will be established. Make for me madrasah (seminary of Islamic education). He could have said that. Rather he asked to be made Minister of Finance. Knowledge of finance, economics, management this is secular knowledge. This is not divine knowledge. But Yusuf (as) is asking to be made Minister of Finance. Why?

“I am truly reliable and adept.” (12:55)

Minister of Finance has two requirements which are hard to find :

(1) The individual should possess this knowledge. How much should be stored and how much should be given out. So that there is no shortage of resources in the country and economy is strong. Isn’t Budget of the country announced on this basis? Any small shop owner will not be able to do this. Not anyone can just advise the government that you should store this much, import this and export this. For this economics is studied and you have to be strong economist. Allah made Yusuf (as) proficient in knowledge of economics so he could rule and become Minister of Finance.

(2) Second requirement is he be someone who protects the treasury (reliable and not corrupt). It shouldn’t be that to protect treasury you need to employ more people to prevent treasurer (from stealing). My friend has store that contains goat feed (corn, oats, barley). He employed an individual to look after it so no one steals anything. Employee used to snack now and then finishing half bag every week. In order to prevent him from snacking he had to then hire another individual to watch over him given first employee was not reliable.

Yusuf (as) knew he wouldn’t have benefited humanity and he wouldn’t have served Allah’s religion building mosque or madrasah as much as compared to becoming Minister of Finance. Because he knew there would be famine in Egypt, storage of resources will get finished so most vital profession at that time will be Minister of Finance. That in time of famine its critical that resources be managed. Yusuf (as) ended up asking for position from Non Muslim king. In consequence, Bani Israel (Muslims of that time) were able to migrate to Egypt and blessings of Yusuf (as) (being in position of authority) were experienced for long period or centuries.

What do we learn from this?

Mosque and Madrasah are at its place (they are important). I myself am product of madrasah. But with this (secular knowledge) if you intend to do something worthwhile or great change for benefit of humanity in order to gain Allah’s pleasure. Then in the fields of science and technology you don’t have to just get ahead but excel in them. And with these (noble) intentions if you are progressing this wouldn’t be called pursuing materialism but this would be following way of Prophets.

https://sheikhonderun.wordpress.com/2022/01/08/importance-of-secular-education/

 

[Omar del Sur]

what kind of Sheikh preaches secular education? was this written by a Sheikh or by Kemal Ataturk?

here are some words on knowledge from a real scholar:

"All praise and thanks are due to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds;
and the good end is for the pious. Prayers and peace be upon
His Slave and Messenger; the best of His creation, the faithful
to His revelation, our Messenger and Leader, Muhammad the
son of 'Abdullaah; upon his family, his Companions and
whoever follows his way until the Day of Judgement. To
proceed:
Indeed the virtues and merits of knowledge ('ilm) are well
known to everyone. It is the most noble thing that one can ask
for, and the best thing a seeker can strive to attain. Knowledge
consists of many branches, but according to the scholars of
Islaam: "What is meant by knowledge in the absolute sense is
Islamic knowledge."
This is the intended meaning of knowledge in the Book of Allaah
and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
In the absolute sense, it is knowledge regarding Allaah, His
names and attributes, knowledge of His rights over His
creation, and what He, the One free from all defects, the Most
High, has prescribed for them. It is the detailed knowledge of
the path that leads to Allaah; knowledge of the purpose of our
creation; and the end which the slave will result in, in the
Hereafter.
This Islamic knowledge is the best of sciences worth acquiring
because through it Allaah is recognized and acknowledged, and
by it He is worshipped. One who possesses this knowledge
knows what Allaah has made lawful for him and what He has
prohibited him from; what pleases Him and what evokes His
anger. With this knowledge a person knows his result with
Allaah and his end. From amongst the people, those who have
taken upon themselves to observe the precepts of the Religion
will result in Paradise and bliss, and the rest (which are the
majority) will result in a place of disgrace, humiliation and
misery. The people of knowledge have cautioned us about this
and explained that knowledge is confined to this meaning."

-Sheikh Ibn Baz

Islamhouse PDF viewer

above is a translation of his small book on knowledge.

and of course I am not against secular education, I myself am studying programming- but the most important knowledge is the knowledge Sheikh Ibn Baz was talking about.

 

[sheikhonderun]

what kind of Sheikh preaches secular education? was this written by a Sheikh or by Kemal Ataturk?

here are some words on knowledge from a real scholar:

"All praise and thanks are due to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds;
and the good end is for the pious. Prayers and peace be upon
His Slave and Messenger; the best of His creation, the faithful
to His revelation, our Messenger and Leader, Muhammad the
son of 'Abdullaah; upon his family, his Companions and
whoever follows his way until the Day of Judgement. To
proceed:
Indeed the virtues and merits of knowledge ('ilm) are well
known to everyone. It is the most noble thing that one can ask
for, and the best thing a seeker can strive to attain. Knowledge
consists of many branches, but according to the scholars of
Islaam: "What is meant by knowledge in the absolute sense is
Islamic knowledge."
This is the intended meaning of knowledge in the Book of Allaah
and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
In the absolute sense, it is knowledge regarding Allaah, His
names and attributes, knowledge of His rights over His
creation, and what He, the One free from all defects, the Most
High, has prescribed for them. It is the detailed knowledge of
the path that leads to Allaah; knowledge of the purpose of our
creation; and the end which the slave will result in, in the
Hereafter.
This Islamic knowledge is the best of sciences worth acquiring
because through it Allaah is recognized and acknowledged, and
by it He is worshipped. One who possesses this knowledge
knows what Allaah has made lawful for him and what He has
prohibited him from; what pleases Him and what evokes His
anger. With this knowledge a person knows his result with
Allaah and his end. From amongst the people, those who have
taken upon themselves to observe the precepts of the Religion
will result in Paradise and bliss, and the rest (which are the
majority) will result in a place of disgrace, humiliation and
misery. The people of knowledge have cautioned us about this
and explained that knowledge is confined to this meaning."

-Sheikh Ibn Baz

Islamhouse PDF viewer

above is a translation of his small book on knowledge.

and of course I am not against secular education, I myself am studying programming- but the most important knowledge is the knowledge Sheikh Ibn Baz was talking about.

No where in my post does it say that religious or Islamic education is not important (infact the scholar referred to Islamic education as proof or daleel indicate importance of secular education)

This is like saying if someone said programming is great career choice the other person says what do you mean? Do you mean the medical field is bad choice? Just saying this career choice is good doesn't negate other career choices.

Similarly both religious and secular education are important. Is religious education superior to secular? Yes it is given that if person were to die void of faith then his hereafter is destroyed even if he/she be greatest scientist in the world. But again never in the post was religious education not considered important. That was your interpretation.

Now I know you quoted Ibn Baaz (Allah have mercy on him). I don't blindly follow any scholar as scholars are not Prophets. Infact the scholar I translated Tariq Masood there are certain things I dont agree with him. For me I look for proofs in Quran and Sunnah.

In Quran, Yusuf mentioned “I am truly reliable and adept.” (12:55) to the King (Non Muslim employer). The word adept means he is knowledgeable and possesses this skill. What he is referring to other than economics of managing the stores? Is he referring to divine knowledge? He is not given that he is talking to Non Muslim King and its not the requirement to do the job of Minister of Finance.

When you will gain employment, will you go your future Non Muslim employer with Ibn Baaz books or you are going to show case your technical skills in programming ie secular education.

With secular knowledge that Yusuf (as) had, he was able to save generation during the time of famine in Egypt.

"and whoever gives life to it, (i.e., a self) then it will be as if he had given life to mankind altogether" (5:32)

Additional proof:
"And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war" (8:60 How can someone prepare for war if they are not knowledgeable about machinery ie secular knowledge? Would this secular knowledge be of benefit to muslims? Offcourse it would.

Additional proof:
"A scribe should not refuse to write as Allah has educated him." (2:282) What is reference here alluding to? Debt agreement. So isnt legal education similar to secular education but Allah is referring this "Allah has educated him". Is this of benefit to muslims? Offcourse it is.

You yourself are pursuing programming believing that this will benefit you. If you use this programming, perhaps teach others how to program so others are empowered to earn a living. Is this something of service to humanity? Will not bring Allah's pleasure? Offcourse it would.

Significant amount of dawah is being done via technology ie websites etc. Now if someone were to use this technology (product of secular knowledge) towards the good. Isnt it good?

I will conclude with Prophet (saw) "Actions are based on intentions" (Bukhari)

Above are sufficient daleel/proof from Quran and Sunnah.