1. WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE?
It is truly said: KNOWLEDGE is power - a great power, with tremendous potentialities and unfathomable capabilities. The ever growing expanse of knowledge in the modern age in all direction has amply unfolded and demonstrated the great significance and influence of knowledge over all things existing on the surface of the earth and beyond.
The Holy Quran - the most accomplished and the final revealed Divine Book has laid great stress on the acquisition of knowledge and it's blessings, inviting human endeavour in seeking and preserving more and more knowledge for leading a successful life in this world and the Hereafter.
The very first Revealed verses of the Holy Quran proclaim in an unambiguous manner that the acquisition of knowledge is the most fundamental pre-requisite for survival and development of existence (Wajud) in all its pervasive sense. Says the Holy Quran: "He (Allah the Almighty) taught (man) the use of the Pen (the basic implement in the field of knowledge) and taught man which he knew not (a divine invitation for research and advancement of knowledge so as to lead the life in conformity and obedience to Divine Pleasure)." 1
2. THE TWO CATEGORIES OF KNOWLEDGE
In its abstract sense, there are two kinds of Knowledge (or learning); the one which is taught in Madrasahs, school, colleges and universities (in the progressive order). For a lay-man as well as for the majority of the populace this is what constitutes the knowledge and it is believed to be sufficient to satisfy our material quest and urge in this behalf.
3. VERSES OF THE QURAN PERTAINING TO I'LM-I-GHAYB
There are many verses in the Holy Quran in which there is mentioned or reference to I'lm-i-Ghayb (The Knowledge of Unseen). It is clear from these verses that this I'lm-i-Ghayb pertain and belong to Almighty Allah alone.
The following verses of the Holy Quran corroborates this proposition:-
A. "With Him are the Keys of the Unseen; the treasure that none knows but He." 9
B. "I know the secrets of the heaven and earth." 10
C. "Say: O Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)! The Unseen isfor Allah". 11
D. "The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is asked todeclare: Say, I tell you not that the Treasures of Allah are with me, nor do know on my own, what is hidden (In the Unseen)." 12
From these verses, it is learnt that the Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) belongs as His most exclusive supreme prerogative to Allah the Almighty. None on his own, can know the Unseen (Ghayb) unless bestowed by Almighty Allah as a grace (and not as a matter of right to claim).
4. LEVELS OF I'LM-I-GHAYB POSSESSED BY THE AMBIYA (ALAIHIMUS SALAAM)
This, however, does not mean that Allah the Almighty restricts and retains the Knowledge of Unseen exclusively to Himself and does not reveal any part of it to any other person. No, not at all. Allah the Almighty has revealed and honoured His apostles as much and as and when He willed, for guidance and enlightenment to cope with the circumstances and situations confronting them viz-a-viz the enemies of Allah, and to fulfill the mission assigned to them. These phenomena have been illustrated at various places in the Holy Quran.
Some of the relevant verses are quoted below:-
A. Regarding Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) and the Angels, it is said: "He (Allah) taught the names (nature and qualitative attributes) of all the things and placed them before the Angels". 15
B. Regarding Hazrat Da'ud (alaihis salaam), it is said, "He (Allah) gave Da'ud power and wisdom and taught him whatever (else)He willed." 16
C. In respect of the I'lm-i-Ghayb to Hazrat Sulaiman (alaihis salaam), it is said, "O People! We have been taught the speech of the birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little of) all things." 17
D. For Hazrat Lut (alaihis salaam), it is said, "And to Lut We gave Judgement and Wisdom." 18
E. About Hazrat Yaqub (alaihis salaam) it was said, "He was, by Our instructions full of Knowledge (and experience), but most men know not." 19
F. Hazrat Yaqub (alaihis salaam) himself told his sons about this blessing from Allah thus, "Did I not say to you, I know from Allah that which you know not." 19
G. About Hazrat Yusuf (alaihis salaam), it is said, "When Yusuf attained his full manhood, We gave him Power and Knowledge; thus do We reward those who do the right things." 20
H. Regarding Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam), it is said, "When he reached full age and was firmly established (in life), We bestowed on him Wisdom and Knowledge." 21
The grant of I'lm-i-Ghayb is admitted by a great honour and whosoever of the Apostles are bestowed this Unique Divine blessing become the holders of great Divine Treasure. However, there is no uniform and set pattern of Divine Message transmitted to each recipient in accordance to their status.
5. I'LM-I-GHAYB OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)
The Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) was also bestowed upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). This I'lm-i-Ghayb was, in essence, the most revealing and surpassing miracle given to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
This miracle, in it's totality and persuasiveness, surpassed all miracles given to other Prophets taken together. More or less 124 000 Apostles were raised at different periods of time with some specific knowledge of the hidden realm, i.e. I'lm-i-Ghayb. But the Knowledge of the Unseen bestowed upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was limitless in scope and magnitude. This is to say that each and every miracle in the nature of I'lm-i-Ghayb given to different Prophets was also given to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
The uncontroversial fact remains that Allah the Almighty granted the I'lm-i-Ghayb to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and if anyone denies and suspects the veracity of this Divine Truth, he is surely guilty of falsehood and diminishing the eminence of Divine Favour. If there be such a one, he ought to be condemned as a blasphemer, worthy of being expelled from the rank and file of Muslimhood. The quality of a true Muslim is that he accepts and believes as true each and every command of Almighty Allah and acts upon it ungrudgingly and unreservedly and induces others to do so.
6. THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF THE GHAYB OF THE HOLY PROPHET(SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)
In the light of the foregoing evidence it must be admitted that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was endowed with the Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) as a Grace from Allah.
Examining the Knowledge of the Unseen possessed by the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as a SHAHID or witness to all affairs, the following verses carry us to the visionary world of enlightenment where we stand completely wonder-struck at the very idea of the extent of the knowledge which Allah the Almighty revealed to him so as to make him the true representative of Divine rights, not alone on this earth, but even forces of heavenly kingdom operating at the present moment as well as that would take place in the universe and the Hereafter. It is but essential that we should bow our heads and accept the truth of Divine assertions, and spare ourselves the repercussions, should any shade of wavering creep our mind and vision. It is beyond our capacity to guess the extent of Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) bestowed upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) by Almighty Allah. Only Allah knows that He has bestowed upon His beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
This, in other words, means that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is fully informed and kept in touch with all those events which he shall be witness to. Incidently, this also means that he is keeping watch over our deeds and misdeeds at all times. We should therefore beware of our activities lest any of them displeases or grieves him.
This fact is further corroborated by the (under noted) traditions (Ahadith) of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam):-
A. In one tradition it is said: "As I see in front of me, so I see things clearly behind me." 45
B. In the second tradition the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: "I saw Prophet Musa (alaihis salaam) in the valley of Azraq, while passing from Mecca to Madina. He was reciting Talbiah. On another ocassion, I saw Prophet Yunus (alaihis salaam) wearing a long woollen overcoat and riding a red camel." 46
C. In the third Tradition, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is described witnessing Paradise and Hell. 47
D. From the fourth Tradition it is learnt that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) knows each inmate by name going in the Paradise or in the Hell. 48
E. From the fifth Tradition, it is learnt that when a man enquired from the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) whether he would go into Jannah or Jahannam, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied without a moment's pause that, "You shall go to Jahannam." 49
F. The sixth Tradition says: "My entire Ummah was presented before me with each individual's scroll of deeds, good as well as bad." 50
G. In the seventh Tradition, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "One night, my Ummah was presented before me at my Hujrah and I know each of them as clearly as anyone knows his colleague." 51
7. THE PROPHET (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) ALSO DISTRIBUTEDPORTIONS OF HIS I'LM-I-GHAYB TO HIS SERVANTS
It is learnt from different Traditions of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) that he not only favoured his devotees and admirers with this rare and Divine gift, but did so in a greater and open-hearted manner, taught them how communion with Divinity may be maintained and carried forward as the intellect advances and progresses in the realm or history. This is an expression of Divine Dispensation of charity among the fellow beings, the humanity at large for whose benefit the vast universe has been created.
The following verse of the Holy Quran bears testimony to his truth: "The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) does not withhold grudgingly a Knowledge of the Unseen." 60 It amounted to saying, "whatever you ask will be answered and whatever you will require, shall be granted."
I might refer to but one verse of the Quran: "Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah." 63
8. CONCLUSIVE FACTS CONCERNING I'LM-I-GHAYB
From what has been discussed with apparent justification and presentable conviction, the following broad basic realities about the Knowledge of the Unseen must be borne in mind to avoid any pitfalls from any biased and intense quarters in this behalf.
A. This first thing to be noted in this connection is that the "Unseen" is a reality, concrete and irrefutable.
B. That the "I'lm-i-Ghayb" or the "Knowledge of the Unseen" belongs exclusively to Allah the Almighty as His Exclusive Divine Prerogative, none having any share in it, or any power to controvert and refute His Exclusive Domain. His knowledge is total.
C. Allah the Almighty bestows this Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) to his chosen servants.
D. Allah the Almighty has granted this Knowledge of the Unseen to the Apostles and Prophets.
E. Allah the Almighty has granted this Knowledge of the Unseen to the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
F. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) bestowed this Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) to his companions who in turn passed this knowledge to the qualified persons who were entrusted with the mission to propagate the Religion of Allah to succeeding generations.
No doubt, the great poet philosopher of Islam, Allama Iqbal, has aptly summed up the illustrious personality of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in one of his beautiful couplets:
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About the AuthorZaheer