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The internet has killed knowledge seeking, and how we are wasting our potential without realizing it.

With the continuos development of technology, there is no doubt that is has created ease in a lot of aspects of our lives. Today I’m going to talk about the way it has changed our way of seeking knowledge—specifically Islamic knowledge.

I will be the first to admit that I love the convenience of searching up Hadiths, ayat, and Islamic rulings online (of course from reputable sources). However, one thing I do constantly think about is how much more effort the people in the past put into seeking knowledge. These people traveled in the hardest conditions to get information that they valued and yet some people these days can’t commit to one class in their own city or town with no excuse.

While I do understand that not everyone can or may not even want to pursue higher education in Islamic studies, I do find it concerning when people don’t even want to learn the bear minimum of Islamic knowledge. This knowledge is going to benefit you, and not learning about your obligations can be held against you if you have the resources to learn them.

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 224

I remember when I was in highschool if I ever suggested going to the masjid for learning opportunities, online classes, or even halaqahs at school, I was usually met with “Oh I learnt that when I was younger” or “I already know a little about that”. I didn’t even feel judgemental towards these people, I just felt bad that they were missing out on small opportunities to become better.

I think a big thing that contributes towards this carelessness of learning is the fact that we have so many resources nowadays and we don’t see the value of it. Someone can want an answer to something, and instead of going to people with actual knowledge they'll ask Sheikh Google and now even worse CHATGBT has joined the club! And there's nothing wrong with researching online, but it can’t be your main source of seeking knowledge.

Allah says is in the Quran:

فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ (٤٣)…

…If you ˹polytheists˺ do not know ˹this already˺, then ask those who have knowledge ˹of the Scriptures˺. Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 43

The general meaning of this part of the Ayah is that if you don’t know something, you should ask the people of knowledge.

We should try even if it is a little, to always be learning something from our religion everyday. What's the point of our life as Muslims if we are not continuously learning and striving to be better? Our purpose of creation is to worship Allah (Surah Dhariyat, Ayah 56), but how can you worship Allah if you don’t know how to and aren’t striving to improve everyday?

Sheikh Salih Al-Fawzan (حَفِظَهُ ٱللّٰهُ) said:

"Beware of getting tired of seeking knowledge. Seek knowledge, even if your comprehension is little. For little (knowledge) coupled with righteous actions, in it is a blessing and good. Continuing in seeking knowledge no doubt is good. Seeking knowledge is a form of worship, and is more virtuous than the supererogatory prayer." [Sharh Al-Fatwa Al-Hamawiyyah, Tape 14]

We should take the examples of those better than us, like the Sahaba and the pious predecessors in their ways of seeking knowledge. Any time they had a question they asked those that had knowledge. If the person was in a different area they travelled there no matter the length of time it took and the hardship to get there. They were consistent in their learning even if it was small. They respected their teachers and implemented what they learned.

Even people today travel from their comfortable lives to go and seek knowledge in other countires. I have a lot of respect for those people and especially the people who can’t and still make use of the resources they have where they live. It can be hard to focus in a country & environment that doesn’t cater to that journey, but it is possible and anyone can do it if they put in the effort and Allah wants them to.

I hope this is an encouragement for all of us to continue seeking beneficial knowledge and to not completely rely on the internet for our questions. Maybe I’ll make a seperate post about some example of people from the past who Allah blessed to excell in their knowledge. And if you’re finding the journey difficult, don’t give up, it’s meant to be hard and that’s what makes what you gain sweeter. ✨