“Knowledge is the Best Inheritance”

'Knowledge is the best inheritance.'

(Amirul Mumineen SA)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2017.

Of all the things that we can leave behind for our children, knowledge is the best. Amirul Mumineen SA said, “knowledge is the best inheritance.” Material wealth may run out, but the wealth of knowledge is never depleted. It is an invaluable asset here and in the Hereafter. Knowledge is empowering because it enables one to not only earn a livelihood, but also to better understand himself and the world around him.

Imparting to our children the wealth of knowledge, especially the knowledge of Aal-e-Mohammed - the core of which is the recognition of Sahib-uz-zaman – is the most important responsibility we have towards them.

Our Awliyaa’ Kiraam have continuously emphasized the paramount importance of the ‘ilm of Aal-e-Mohammed. ‘Ilm is the foundation of Dawat. They also encouraged their followers to pursue all other fields of knowledge.

At the beginning of the 20^th century Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA recognized the importance of organized primary education and literacy. He encouraged Mumineen, boys and girls, to pursue schooling and founded and established more than 300 high schools. As a result, our community achieved a near 100% literacy by the time India gained independence. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA continued those efforts. It was in Syedna Burhanuddin’s RA era that Burhani College was founded and the school network was further expanded.

Just as Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA recognized the necessity of primary education in the 20^th century, at the turn of 21^st century, Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin RA recognized the importance of higher education. In addition to personally undertaking the education and tarbiyat of his sons and daughters in the ‘ilm of Aal-e-Mohammed, he encouraged them to pursue higher education in reputable universities world-over. He set an example that the best education of deen and dunya can both be attained without compromise. He also established the Qutbi Jubilee Scholarship Program (QJSP) during the golden jubilee celebration of Syedna Burhanuddin’s RA fifty years as Dai-l-Mutlaq and Syedna Qutbuddin’s RA fifty years as his Mazoon.

Syedna Qutbuddin’s RA successor, Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS is building on that legacy. In the recent press meet in Mumbai he outlined his vision for the community and his hope that this program would go from strength to strength. He referred to a recent survey which found that the percentage of boys who had completed primary education in the community was 88% while the percentage of girls who had completed primary education was 92%. The percentage for higher education however was not as equal. He expressed his hope that the ratio would demonstrate the same level of achievement in higher education for boys and girls as it is for primary education. He also expressed his wish that the QJSP program would support and foster higher education in the community and extend its efforts to the wider Muslim community and humanity at large.

As QJSP launches its updated website and application process for 2017, we offer thanks for the leadership and guidance of our Hudaat Kiraam, who guide us toward the best of inheritance, the inheritance of knowledge.