Chapter 22

THE GRAND GOALS

Thepurposebeyondseekingknowledge,fromthe Islamicviewpoint,
isnotattainingnarrowmaterialobjectivesorgainingpersonalearnings
thatare unrelatedtothe factualityof spiritsanddisciplining.Actually,
the goals, we will refer to some hereinafter, are nobler and more
elevated.

Activitiesofthe seekersof knowledgeshouldbepurelyintended for
God’ssake,awayfromanymaterialbenefit.Theoppressiveefforts—in-
cludingtheturmoilandthehardstrivingofcontinuousnights-thatthe
studentsencounterforreceivingknowledgeshouldneverbeexertedfor
a worldly affair, which leadsto nonsense. Such effortsmust achievea
greattriumphtheresourcesofwhichshouldspreadoverthesocietyasa
whole. Nothing is more beneficial and widespread than working for
God’ssakeandsatisfaction.ThesectofIkhwanus-safahasdedicatedthe
goalsoflearningtotheworkforGod’ssake.Theysaid,“Obrethren!You
shouldrealizethateveryitemofknowledgeorartthatdoesnotleadto
theHereafterwillbealossandanargumentontheResurrectionDay.”.
Al-Ghezali also dedicated the processes of learning to this aspect. He
said,“Oyoungster!Manyarethenightsthatyouhavepassedwithseek-
ingknowledgeandscanningbooks,andyouhaveabstainedfromsleep.
Idonotknowyourintendment.Ifithasbeenobtainingtheconcernsof
thisworld,collectingitswreckages,andholdingitspositionsandosten-
tationbeforetheothers,thenwoeisyou!Ifyourintendmentisenliven-
ingthe Prophet’spractices, refiningyour ethics,andviolating thebad-
tending soul, then you will get many happy returns!”.

The Prophet (s) repudiated all of the material intendments that are
pursuedbythosefaithlessones.Hesaid,“Heshouldfindhimselfaplace
inthehell-firethatwhoeverseeksknowledgefordisputingwiththeill-