Islam is a religion of knowledge and at the Al-Ameen College we wholeheartedly embrace this. Al-Ameen College emphasises the great importance of knowledge and education, as does Islam. The Holy Quran emphasises the importance of seeking knowledge and so does Al-Ameen College. When the Quran began to be revealed, the first word of its first verse was ‘Iqra’ that is, ‘Read.’
Allah (SWT) says in Noble Quran:
Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not” (Quran, 96: 1-5)
Seeking knowledge is mandatory for all Muslims, as it is for all our students. The main purpose of seeking knowledge is to bring us closer to our Creator Allah (SWT).
Knowledge is the key to success in this life and in the hereafter. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran: “And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge” (Quran 20:114). Knowledge protects us from many difficulties and has many benefits in this world and in the hereafter. Knowledge is the foundation of our lives, and religious knowledge enables us to know about our Creator Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) also says in the Noble Quran: “Allah raises of those who believe and those who have been given knowledge many levels.” (Quran 58:11). Whoever leaves behind beneficial knowledge will continue to be rewarded, as long as people are still gaining benefit from this knowledge. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “When a man dies all his deeds come to an end except for three: an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him” (Al-Bukhari). This is the value of knowledge and the reason for it being a pillar of this College.
Our College inculcates in students the importance and value of seeking knowledge to understand our existence, the creation of this world and everything in it. If we want to know about the purpose of our creation and this world, then we must seek knowledge. We must have knowledge about what is permissible and impermissible in our daily lives. We must also learn how to purify our hearts and deeds from guilty traits. Students must know how to purify their hearts from the love of wealth, status, and fame, and how to dedicate one’s love for Allah (SWT) alone. Students must also learn the manners taught to us by our religion, and that we should try to live our lives according to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Seeking knowledge will make the path to Paradise easy, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever treads a path in seeking knowledge, Allah (SWT) will make easy for him the path to Paradise” (Al-Tirmidhi). This hadith together with many others are inculcated in students to motivate and nurture a desire to be life-long learners, seeking knowledge from the ‘cradle to the grave’.