Why Is Transforming Knowledge into Ma’rifa Essential?
In previous lessons, we explored the concepts of knowledge and ma’rifa or knowledge and asset and discussed their significance. We explained that knowledge refers to our information, while through ma’rifa we attain belief, power, and asset. Attaining knowledge is the prerequisite for acquiring ma’rifa or asset and the path from knowledge to ma’rifa is traversed through consistent practice and action. In this lesson, we will delve more specifically into the importance and necessity of transforming knowledge into ma’rifa.
Clearly, the purpose of acquiring knowledge and information is nothing other than acquiring ma’rifa and ability. For example, it is entirely reasonable to expect someone who has completed a computer training course to be proficient in using a computer and be able to work with it smoothly. Similarly, we would expect someone who has attended English proficiency classes to be able to speak English fluently. In fact, we all expect these individuals to be able to put the received knowledge and information into action and master it through practice. If they cannot do so, then the knowledge they have acquired would be fruitless and of no benefit to them. Someone who has read several books on controlling negative thoughts, attended related classes, and sought help from specialized counselors, but still struggles with negative and distressing thoughts and lacks the ability to control them, demonstrates that the knowledge and information they have gained have not been transformed into ma’rifa and power. In other words, they have only wasted their time, and their problem remains.
Unfortunately, there are many who fall prey to lust for knowledge and are constantly accumulating information in their minds without ever putting that knowledge into practice in order to acquire asset and power.
Undoubtedly, transforming knowledge into ma’rifa is far more critical and essential in terms of human and spiritual knowledge. Since, firstly, it has a direct relationship with the purpose of our creation and our eternal bliss, and secondly, it is the source of happiness and peace for us in this very world.
Transforming Knowledge into Ma’rifa: A Prerequisite for Eternal Bliss
As we know, the prerequisite for having an eternal life of bliss is acquiring ma’rifa or a sound heart in this world [1]. In other words, the failure in transforming knowledge into ma’rifa leads to pain and suffering in our eternal life. In our birth into the hereafter, similar to our birth from the mother’s womb into this world, there are six types of births. Only in healthy and robustly healthy births do the fetus provide all the necessary equipment and develop organs required for this world, bringing them along into the world and consequently, making them compatible with the living conditions of the world. However, in the other types of births, as soon as the newborn enters the world, they must endure the suffering and pain of treatment according to their lack of compatibility with the world, which in some cases might last an eternity.
Similarly, to have a healthy birth into the hereafter, we must prepare all the necessary tools and equipment for living in the hereafter and be compatible with the living conditions of Heaven. Lacking these tools and assets is equivalent to suffering and Hell, like a newborn who has not brought along healthy eyes or a healthy heart into this world and endures constant pain and suffering. Of course, the extent and duration of this suffering depend on the degree and type of our incompatibility, and in some cases, the suffering and Hell may be eternal. The tools needed for the hereafter are the very ma’rifa or human assets, that is, the divine names and attributes that we have acquired in this world. The more divine names and attributes we acquire, the greater our wealth and asset will be in the hereafter. This is where we truly grasp the importance and necessity of transforming knowledge into ma’rifa. No matter how much knowledge and information we have, if they do not transform into ma’rifa and asset, they will be of no benefit to us. For example, if we have extensive knowledge about rahmaniyyat or kindness but fail to practice this kindness toward all created beings, whether humans, animals, plants, or even inanimate objects, it means our knowledge has not been transformed into ma’rifa, and we have not acquired Allah’s name of Ar-Rahmaan, The Beneficent.
Transforming Knowledge into Ma’rifa: The Prerequisite for Happiness and Inner Peace in This World
In general, acting upon religious and ethical teachings and acquiring divine attributes and ma’rifa lead us to become happy, calm, and compassionate individuals. The more divine attributes or ma’rifa we acquire, the stronger and more enduring these qualities become within us, to the point where no worldly matter can disturb our happiness, inner peace, or love for others. For example, a father who has acquired ma’rifa, even after returning home exhausted from work and facing the demands of his crying child, will remain calm and patient, responding with kindness.
In another example, when an individual faces a tragedy, such as losing a loved one, they do not break down or become agitated but instead maintain their inner peace. Therefore, transforming knowledge into ma’rifa ensures that shortcomings and challenges in other dimensions of our existence such as financial struggles, illnesses, lack of affection, or mistreatment by others cannot rob us of our happiness and peace. In other words, acquiring ma’rifa allows us to more fully enjoy our life in this world, as well as attain eternal bliss in the hereafter. The more assets we have, the greater our power will be in the face of hardships. Of course, these very challenges and crises in life, along with how we respond to them, are the means through which we acquire divine names and assets. For instance, if we never encounter difficulties or hardships, how can we practice patience and perseverance in action and embody Allah’s name of Sabur (The All-Patient)? If no one oppresses or harms us, how can we practice forgiveness and embody the divine name of Ghafur (The All-Forgiving)? In fact, all our relationships, decisions, thoughts, and behaviors in this world must be in line with acquiring assets and moving toward a beautiful and blissful eternity.
Knowledge Without Ma’rifa: A Burden in the Hereafter
If the increase in knowledge and information does not lead to the acquisition of divine names and ma’rifa, it often cultivates vices such as arrogance and pride within us. In other words, the knowledge that has the potential to lay the foundation for our eternal happiness and bliss, when not acted upon, instead becomes a burden—leading to additional suffering and torment in the hereafter. This is due to our failure to put what we have learned into practice.
Of course, let us not forget this important point: Acquiring knowledge is essential and the first step on the path to attaining ma’rifa. Negligence, carelessness, and laziness in this regard lead to far worse consequences, as in such cases, we have not even taken the first step toward acquiring ma’rifa.
In this lesson, we discussed the necessity of transforming knowledge into ma’rifa. We stated that transforming knowledge into ma’rifa is not only crucial for achieving eternal bliss, but serves as the source of our inner happiness and peace in this world. In other words, traversing the path of acquiring ma’rifa and becoming similar to our Beloved, Allah, beautifies both our worldly life and our hereafter.
References
[1]. Quran, 26:89