THE QUR’AN, THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE, AND FREE SPEECH IN ISLAM
There was a time in my life when I believed that the western civilization values knowledge, that it is free speech which has made the difference – because they value intellectualism, that Enlightenment and Renaissance were the pinnacle of the human civilization in terms of knowledge, education, science, and intellectualism.
Then time came – perhaps through experience and direct confrontation with the very institutions of this civilization, when I realized the truth about the western civilization, the truth which was displayed in front of my eyes as if watching a hidden camera of a bogus scholar which is no more than an imposter or of an ostentatious CEO who turns out to be no more than a puppet of the ruling elite.
The western civilization supposedly is based on the principle of free speech and promoting knowledge and intellectualism, but that’s no more than a slogan. They speak of free speech, knowledge, science, evidence, proof, education, yet means of seeking knowledge, doing science, pursuing education, and engaging in free speech are all heavily controlled by the Government, as well as the institutions of knowledge and the necessary finances related to them are all the monopoly of the government.
The West speaks of free speech, yet the Government controls everything: finances, jobs, businesses, the judicial system, the intelligence service, the police service, and above all, taxes, which are used directly or indirectly to suppress free speech and independent intellectualism.
What kind of free speech do they talk about when we are ruled by draconian governments, controlled and oppressed by unprecedented spy governments – which control everything behind the scenes: finances, jobs, who is allowed to study, or engage in knowledge and intellectualism?
On the other hand, the most blessed time in my life was when I discovered the truth about Islam and how much it promotes knowledge – in the most genuine way, far from political propaganda and the hollow slogans of the West.
The Qur’an urges and encourages the believers to learn, to study, to use their brains, to raise questions, to pursue the truth, to clarify, to teach others with insight, to be transparent, to judge fairly and justly, not to be afraid of saying the truth, to value the pen – as it has been mentioned as a great blessing in the first five ayat revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).
Traditionally in Islam, kids memorize the Qur’an at an early age, and they are taught that there is great reward in this deed, as the Prophet Muhammed has said, “The best among you is the one who memorizes the Qur’an and teaches it to others.”
The Qur’an calls on the believers, or all humans, to reflect, to read, to ponder on and observe carefully the creation of God – everything around us, and even walk on Earth to look into the past civilizations.
Islam is the religion of scholars, knowledge, and intellectualism.
Sabri Lushi
March, 2024
