The document discusses the importance of seeking knowledge from qualified scholars and teachers rather than just acquiring information. It emphasizes that true knowledge resides in comprehending the meanings and significance of information, which requires guidance from learned individuals who can help interpret information in its proper context. Accessing teachers directly is valued over just obtaining course materials or notes secondhand.

1. “ O MY CHILD! “ ELUCIDATIONS OF SELECTED EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK BY HUJJATUL ISLAM IMAM ABU HAMID AL-GHAZALI R.A. THE HERITAGE READING CLUB OF: BY : USTAZ ZHULKEFLEE HJ ISMAIL IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) 2nd SESSION (18 JUNE 2011) A CONTINUATION

6. When knowledge grows, the circle will expand. But with this expansion the circumference (RED line) also increases. Remember : RED line (circumference) indicates our encounter with knowledge which we now realize we do not know. The GREEN area represents whatever Knowledge that we have. BLACK space represents Infinite Knowledge “ We don’t even know that we don’t know them” “ The more we know, the more will we encounter aspects of knowledge which we do not know. And only realization of this which motivates us to grow in learning” *Extracted and elaborated from “Beginners’ Manual on Islam” by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj ismail (PERGAS) When you acquire them, your knowledge grows (DARK GREEN area ) All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED

7. “ Those who do not know that they do not know.” “ Those who know that they do not know.” “ Those who do not know that they know.” “ Those who know that they know.” And the wise (those who truly know), will always look at what they are ignorant of, maintaining humility , striving to continue learning, rather than become conceited with whatever little they had already learnt. THE HEEDLESS THE IGNORANT THE NEGLIGENT THE WISE All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRULY WISE

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9. EPISTEMOLOGY Seeking an Islamic perspective ... All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED

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11. Amongst the definitions: “ ....... Knowledge is the arrival * ( hu s ul - ) of the meaning ( ma’na - ) of a thing or object of knowledge in the soul of the subject; and simultaneously,..... Knowledge is the soul’s arrival ( wu s ul - ) at the meaning of that thing or the object of knowledge.” By “meaning” ( ma’na - ) is: “ the recognition of the proper place of anything in a system ...” : Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas * “ attainment; acquirement” is a better translation . EPISTEMOLOGY All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED

13. EPISTEMOLOGY All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) NOW, TO CONTINUE ...

19. Note : Arabic word “ universe ” and “ a scholar; one who is knowledgeable ” is spelt: ( ) All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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26. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) “ TRADITIONAL LEARNING FROM ISLAMIC TEACHERS AND SCHOLARS”

27. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) MUQADDIMAH: (A senior student explained) : “I have acquired various disciplines of knowledge, spending the prime of my life in learning and accumulating this knowledge. Now I ought to find out, what knowledge will benefit me tomorrow and will be my companion in the grave, and what knowledge is useless to me, so that I may abandon it, as the Messenger of Allah – Allah’s blessings and Peace be upon him – has said: “ O Allah! I seek refuge with Thee from knowledge that does not benefit.”

34. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) “ He is not from my Ummah (community), One who do not respect our elders, or One who is not merciful (kind) to our young, and One who do not know our ‘Ulama’ - Islamic scholars (and respect their rights ) .” ( Hadith of reported by at-Tabraniy ) PROPHET MUHAMMAD S.A.A.W. SAID:

35. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) PROPHET MUHAMMAD S.A.A.W. SAID: “ The best ones amongst you is the person who makes you remember Allah when you look upon him; and whenever he speaks it increases you your knowledge (of the Deen), and with his deeds it inspires (motivates) you to strive for your Hereafter.” ( Hadith reported by Hakim from Ibnu ‘Umar r.a .)

36. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) PROPHET MUHAMMAD S.A.A.W. SAID:

37. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) " Verily Allah does not remove knowledge from the (hearts of the) people, rather he takes away knowledge by taking away its people (the true scholars – ‘ULAMA ), until there are no more scholars, the people then take leaders that are ignorant, and when they are asked, and give religious rulings, (they give) without knowledge, so they misguide and are misguided.“ ( Hadith reported by Ashaab as-Sunnan from Ibnu ‘Umar r.a .)

38. SINCERE ADVICE TO MUSLIM ‘ INTELLECTUALS ’ All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

45. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) LEVELS OF CERTAINTY LEVELS OF UNCERTAINTY ‘ ILMUL YAQEEN Certainty with knowledge and Intellection. ‘ AINUL YAQEEN Certainty by sight and sensory perception. HAQQUL YAQEEN True certainty – ‘tasting’; direct experience of Reality; RAIBA – suspicious misgivings; wavering doubt; uncertainty; SHAKK – doubt,; uncertainty, distrust; sceptical; DZONN – conjecture; assumption; yet still not certain; guess; inclining towards holding opinion even though still without valid proof of certainty.

46. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) “ Knowledge is hostile to the haughty youth, just as flood water is hostile to the highlands.” A SCHOLAR WROTE (POEM)

47. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) A SCHOLAR WROTE (POEM)

48. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) “ Neither the teacher nor the physician advise you unless they are honoured. So bear your disease patiently if you have wronged its healer ; and be satisfied with your ignorance if you have wronged a teacher.” A SCHOLAR WROTE (POEM)

49. MUQADDIMAH: (A senior student explained) : “I have acquired various disciplines of knowledge, spending the prime of my life in learning and accumulating this knowledge. Now I ought to find out, what knowledge will benefit me tomorrow and will be my companion in the grave, and what knowledge is useless to me, so that I may abandon it, as the Messenger of Allah – Allah’s blessings and Peace be upon him – has said: “ O Allah! I seek refuge with Thee from knowledge that does not benefit.” All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

50. MUQADDIMAH: (A senior student explained) : “I have acquired various disciplines of knowledge, spending the prime of my life in learning and accumulating this knowledge. Now I ought to find out, what knowledge will benefit me tomorrow and will be my companion in the grave, and what knowledge is useless to me , so that I may abandon it , as the Messenger of Allah – Allah’s blessings and Peace be upon him – has said: “ O Allah! I seek refuge with Thee from knowledge that does not benefit.” All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

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52. All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011) TO BE CONTINUED ... INSHA-ALLAH

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