Ya Bunayya: #09 – Literacy, Intelligence and Knowledge

Yā Bunayya!

Being an illiterate who can’t read nor write doesn’t necessarily render you ignorant, unintelligent, or uninformed. Likewise, being literate who can read and write doesn’t necessarily make you informed, intelligent or knowledgeable.

How many people were born visually impaired, and hence, they are unable to read and write, but are more intelligent, and more knowledgeable than many sighted ones among us!

Ya Bunayya,

It’s unfortunate, that we’re made to believe that once you’re able to read and write, you’re knowledgeable and a person of authority by default.

The destructions you read about to have happened in this world, and those you’ll live to see are mostly done or caused by literates. Some of whom are highly schooled. The wars, the killings, and most of the mischiefs you see are masterminded by highly literate groups.

Ya Bunayya,

While it’s unarguably basic human necessity to be able to read and write, and for that matter, to be technology literate, real knowledge is that which Allah bestows upon you and opens your heart to. Remember that. Always!

The Prophet Muhammad never read nor wrote. But Allah made him knowledgeable and enabled him to produce the best of generations who transformed the world in a span of 23 years. No one has ever or shall ever be able to do that. Instead, the most knowledgeable among us today must refer to him, to gain credibility.

Ya Bunayya,

As you pursue literacy, you should equally prioritize the knowledge bestowed upon The Prophet Muhammad for that is what will earn you the happiness of this life and the next. That’s if you put it into practice. Practice!

With the happiness of this life, you’ll be merciful towards fellow mankind and lead and advocate justice. Just as the Prophet and his companions did. And with the happiness of the next life, we hope that Allah will look at us with eyes of His mercy.

Allāhu Ḥāfiẓ!