By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Muslims have been urged to remain humble and continuously seek knowledge as a foundation for proper worship and personal development.
The call was made by Ustaz Auwal Abdulkarim of JIBWIS, Calabar, during an awakening Tafsir held at the JIBWIS Mosque in Calabar, Cross River State.
Speaking during the lecture, Ustaz Abdulkarim stressed that Islam places great importance on the pursuit of knowledge.
He explained that Allah (SWT), through the Holy Qur’an, commands believers to acquire knowledge so they can worship Him correctly.
He noted that the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), delivered through Angel Jibril (Gabriel), was the command to “Read,” emphasizing the central role of learning in Islam.
The Islamic scholar recounted an incident from the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), where an elderly man was learning the Arabic alphabet to read the Qur’an.
Some companions expressed surprise that the man had started learning at such an advanced age.
According to Ustaz Abdulkarim, the Prophet responded by saying that it is never too late to seek knowledge.
He then pointed to a group of young boys engaged in idle games, explaining that they were the ones wasting their time and energy.
The lesson, he said, underscores that no one is too old to learn, while young people should make productive use of their time.
He added that seeking knowledge is essential in every aspect of life, as it enables individuals to contribute meaningfully to society and avoid ignorance.
Ustaz Abdulkarim further explained that no one can secure meaningful employment without acquiring the necessary education or training.
He noted that even vocational and skills acquisition programmes require learning and proper instruction.
He therefore urged Muslims to embrace the pursuit of knowledge throughout their lives, reminding them of the Islamic teaching to seek knowledge “from the cradle to the grave.”
