Ilm-e-ghaib - (Knowledge of Unseen) Part-I

Article Submitted By Muhammad Irshad | 18-Jul-2012 | Views: 1279

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ALLAH HAS GIVEN HIS BELOVED PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SalallahoAlaiheWasalam) THE KNOWLEDGE OF UNSEEN (ILME GHAIB)

CONTENTS

1. WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE?
2. THE TWO CATEGORIES OF KNOWLEDGE
3. VERSES OF THE QURAN PERTAINING TO I'LM-I-GHAYB
4. LEVELS OF I'LM-I-GHAYB POSSESSED BY THE AMBIYA (ALAIHIMUS SALAAM)
5. I'LM-I-GHAYB OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)
6. THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF THE GHAYB OF THE HOLY PROPHET (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)
7. THE HOLY PROPHET (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) ALSO DISTRIBUTED PORTIONS OF HIS I'LM-I-GHAYB TO HIS SERVANTS
8. CONCLUSIVE FACTS CONCERNING I'LM-I-GHAYB

Bismillah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem

1. WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE?

It is truly said: KNOWLEDGE is power - a great power, with tremendous potentialities and unfathomable capabilities. The ever growing expanse of knowledge in the modern age in all direction has amply unfolded and demonstrated the great significance and influence of knowledge over all things existing on the surface of the earth and beyond.
The Holy Quran - the most accomplished and the final revealed Divine Book has laid great stress on the acquisition of knowledge and it's blessings, inviting human endeavour in seeking and preserving more and more knowledge for leading a successful life in this world and the Hereafter.
The very first Revealed verses of the Holy Quran proclaim in an unambiguous manner that the acquisition of knowledge is the most fundamental pre-requisite for survival and development of existence (Wajud) in all its pervasive sense. Says the Holy Quran: "He (Allah the Almighty) taught (man) the use of the Pen (the basic implement in the field of knowledge) and taught man which he knew not (a divine invitation for research and advancement of knowledge so as to lead the life in conformity and obedience to Divine Pleasure)." 1
At another place it is said: "O my Lord! Advance me in knowledge."2 These divine Revelations brought in focus the significance of knowledge to motivate and enlighten the human mind to seek more and more knowledge in any conceivably beneficial manner.
The Holy Quran is a treasure house of Knowledge and Wisdom.It contains references or mentions at more that 800 places relating to knowledge and it's derivatives, i.e. the innumerable branches of knowledge which continue to grow as the life advances from stage to stage. Similarly, references to "books" and "writing" are at more than 600 places in the Holy Quran. This clearly indicates the divine emphasis on knowledge and its acquisition at all levels of life.
In a tradition (Hadith), the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said: "I have been raised as a teacher and an accomplisher of (refined) manners." 3 The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has laid great emphasis as a compulsive obligation of the Ummah to seek more and more knowledge and brought forth the blissful significance of knowledge. 4
Hazrat Ali (Karramallahu wajhul Kareem) has said: "The real dignity to men is through learning." The Holy Quran itself bears testimony to the significance of knowledge when its says that it was on account of his knowledge that Almighty Allah chose Hazrat Talut (alaihis salaam) as the King of the Bani Israel, "Allah hath filled Talut with Knowledge and bodily prowess." 5 The superiority of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) - the epitomic symbol of human progeny - over angels (and all the creations) was on account of this knowledge alone. 6
All these examples illustrate the significance and dignified evaluation of the acquisition of knowledge in the fields of human pre-eminence, viz. the Prophetic assignment, the leadership and Five Regent kingship for guidance the human destining as the Vicegerent of Allah on earth.
1. Surah Alaq: Verses 4-5
2. Surah Taha: Verse 114
3. Ibn-i-Abd al-Birr: Jami bayan al I'lm wa fazlihi, p. 47
4. ibid., p. 46, 49
5. Surah Baqarah: Verse 247
6. Surah Baqarah: Verse 31

2. THE TWO CATEGORIES OF KNOWLEDGE

In its abstract sense, there are two kinds of Knowledge (or learning); the one which is taught in Madrasahs, school, colleges and universities (in the progressive order). For a lay-man as well as for the majority of the populace this is what constitutes the knowledge and it is believed to be sufficient to satisfy our material quest and urge in this behalf.
However, there is yet another branch of knowledge which is taught and acquired directly or straightaway through the divine agency, with the functional audio-visual aids, such as books, papers, pens or such-like paraphernalia, needing neither the teaching institutes, such as schools, colleges, universities, etc. nor the professional teachers and degree holders. This is the transcendental or divine sector of knowledge, which in Quranic terminology is known as "I'lm-i-Ghayb" or the "Knowledge of the Unseen" 7 and which constitutes one of the fundamental tenets of Islamic belief. In fact, the belief and unbelief in the Unseen (Ghayb) is the distinguishing mark of a person being a Muslim or a Heathen. 8
This is the branch of knowledge which is super human in nature surpassing the human intellect as also the five proverbial senses on their own. The Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) is superior to and dominant over all other knowledge in any field of human activity, defying all methods of imparting and receiving education and knowledge. This is essentially an emblem of Divine Grace bestowed upon the chosen servants of Allah, like the gentle blissful rain showered upon the hearts and minds of the esteemed recipients on earth.
7. Surah Kah'f: Verse 65
8. Surah Baqarah: Verse 3

3. VERSES OF THE QURAN PERTAINING TO I'LM-I-GHAYB

There are many verses in the Holy Quran in which there is mentioned or reference to I'lm-i-Ghayb (The Knowledge of Unseen). It is clear from these verses that this I'lm-i-Ghayb pertain and belong to Almighty Allah alone.
The following verses of the Holy Quran corroborates this proposition:-
A. "With Him are the Keys of the Unseen; the treasure that none knows but He." 9
B. "I know the secrets of the heaven and earth." 10
C. "Say: O Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)! The Unseen isfor Allah". 11
D. "The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is asked todeclare: Say, I tell you not that the Treasures of Allah are with me, nor do know on my own, what is hidden (In the Unseen)." 12
From these verses, it is learnt that the Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) belongs as His most exclusive supreme prerogative to Allah the Almighty. None on his own, can know the Unseen (Ghayb) unless bestowed by Almighty Allah as a grace (and not as a matter of right to claim).
A little probe into these verses would reveal that while even the minutest part of the Ghayb remains in the Divine Authority, it is not to be said anywhere that Allah the Almighty does not grant this knowledge even to anyone among his servants nor that the treasure of the Ghayb remain un-bestowed and unshared by anyone else. This the prime point of consideration on which the Ummah must devote thoughtful attention to avoid any pitfalls in assuming or imbibing any self-founded notions of I'lm-i-Ghayb.
This point is stressed again and again in the Holy Quran:
A. "He (Allah the Almighty) alone is the Knower of the Unseen; He does not make anyone acquainted with the mysteries except the apostle whom He has chosen." 13
B. "Allah will not disclose to you the secret of the unknown, but He chooses of His apostles whom He pleases." 14
9. Surah An'am: Verse 59
10. Surah Baqarah: Verse 33
11. Surah Yunus: Verse 20
12. Surah Hud: Verse 31
13. Surah Jinn: Verse 26
14. Surah Ale Imran: Verse 179

4. LEVELS OF I'LM-I-GHAYB POSSESSED BY THE AMBIYA (ALAIHIMUS SALAAM)

This, however, does not mean that Allah the Almighty restricts and retains the Knowledge of Unseen exclusively to Himself and does not reveal any part of it to any other person. No, not at all. Allah the Almighty has revealed and honoured His apostles as much and as and when He willed, for guidance and enlightenment to cope with the circumstances and situations confronting them viz-a-viz the enemies of Allah, and to fulfill the mission assigned to them. These phenomena have been illustrated at various places in the Holy Quran.
Some of the relevant verses are quoted below:-
A. Regarding Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) and the Angels, it is said: "He (Allah) taught the names (nature and qualitative attributes) of all the things and placed them before the Angels". 15
B. Regarding Hazrat Da'ud (alaihis salaam), it is said, "He (Allah) gave Da'ud power and wisdom and taught him whatever (else)He willed." 16
C. In respect of the I'lm-i-Ghayb to Hazrat Sulaiman (alaihis salaam), it is said, "O People! We have been taught the speech of the birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little of) all things." 17
D. For Hazrat Lut (alaihis salaam), it is said, "And to Lut We gave Judgement and Wisdom." 18
E. About Hazrat Yaqub (alaihis salaam) it was said, "He was, by Our instructions full of Knowledge (and experience), but most men know not." 19
F. Hazrat Yaqub (alaihis salaam) himself told his sons about this blessing from Allah thus, "Did I not say to you, I know from Allah that which you know not." 19

G. About Hazrat Yusuf (alaihis salaam), it is said, "When Yusuf attained his full manhood, We gave him Power and Knowledge; thus do We reward those who do the right things." 20
H. Regarding Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam), it is said, "When he reached full age and was firmly established (in life), We bestowed on him Wisdom and Knowledge." 21
I. It is said about Hazrat Khizr (alaihis salaam): "So they found one of our servants on whom We had bestowed Mercy from Ourselves and whom We had taught knowledge (of special significance) from Our Own Presence." 22
These verses of the Holy Quran make it clear that Allah the Almighty bestowed the Knowledge of the Unseen (Ghayb) on His chosen servants, but is unfortunate that most people do not know this; on the contrary, even they refuse to believe it without realising the consequence thereof! These pious souls, at times on their own, disclosed this Divine bestowment in order to convince the people and clear their doubts and put them on the right track of faith and Belief.

J. For example, Hazrat Isa (alaihis salaam) spoke to his followers thus, "And I declare to you whatever you eat and whatever you store in your houses." 23 (It meant that whatever they had eaten in the houses - within four walls - and whatever they had preserved therein, was well known to the Prophet of Allah.
K. On another ocassion, Hazrat Yusuf (alaihis salaam) spoke to his fellow prisoners before telling them the meaning of their dreams. He said, "Before any food comes to you, I shall surely reveal to you the truth and meaning of this. It is due to the knowledge bestowed upon me by Allah that I have to reveal to you what you did not know." 24
These verses reveal that Allah the Almighty has bestowed I'lm-i-Ghayb to His chosen Apostles. To deny this, amounts to the denial and rejection of the Holy Quran itself. This is not an ordinary or routine knowledge. Elaborate precautionary and protective measures are adopted before such messages relating to the "Unseen" are despatched. Special angels are sent (on earth) who stay around the Apostles, on whom the Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) is bestowed. 25
The grant of I'lm-i-Ghayb is admitted by a great honour and whosoever of the Apostles are bestowed this Unique Divine blessing become the holders of great Divine Treasure. However, there is no uniform and set pattern of Divine Message transmitted to each recipient in accordance to their status.
According to the Holy Quran the status and nature of responsible of the Apostles vary from one to another. "Those Apostles, we bestowed with gifts (endowed with ranks, etc.) as willed by Allah." 26 Likewise the grant of I'lm-i-Ghayb to Prophets varies according to their nature of assignment relating to their prescribed mission.
The story of Hazrat Musa and Khizr (alaihimus salaam) so vividly described in the Holy Quran explains this aspect of the proposition. Hazrat Musa met Khizr (alaihimus salaam) and requested him to enlighten him with the specific knowledge which Allah bestowed on him. Hazrat Khizr (alaihis salaam) accepted, but advised Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) to be patient and not to utter any word until he would permit him to do so. Whatever Hazrat Khizr (alaihis salaam) did was beyond the understanding of Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam).
The promise of keeping silence on events taking place before his eyes was too much for Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) to sustain and at last (he broke the silence) Hazrat Khizr (alaihis salaam) revealed the secrets of the events. Hazrat Khizr (alaihis salaam) did not keep him in his company any more. Details of the story is found in the Holy Quran 27 This clearly shows that the nature of I'lm-i-Ghayb even to Prophets of Allah was not uniform nor of equal measure.
15. Surah Baqarah: Verse 31
16. Surah Baqarah: Verse 251
17. Surah Namal: Verse 16
18. Surah Anbiya: Verse 74
19. Surah Yusuf: Verse 96
20. Surah Yusuf: Verse 22
21. Surah Qasas: Verse 140
22. Surah Kah'f: Verse 65
23. Surah Ale Imran: Verse 49
24. Surah Yusuf: Verse 37
25. Surah Jinn: Verse 26
26. Surah Baqarah: Verse 253
27. Surah Kah'f: Verse 65-82

5. I'LM-I-GHAYB OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

The Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) was also bestowed upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). This I'lm-i-Ghayb was, in essence, the most revealing and surpassing miracle given to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
This miracle, in it's totality and persuasiveness, surpassed all miracles given to other Prophets taken together. More or less 124 000 Apostles were raised at different periods of time with some specific knowledge of the hidden realm, i.e. I'lm-i-Ghayb. But the Knowledge of the Unseen bestowed upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was limitless in scope and magnitude. This is to say that each and every miracle in the nature of I'lm-i-Ghayb given to different Prophets was also given to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was the epitomic symbol of all the previous Prophets in the past in respect of their qualitative characteristics and quantum of knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. Relating to this bestowment of knowledge and observation upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the Holy Quran says: "Allah has sent down to you O Prophet! the Book and Wisdom and taught what you knew not. Great is the Grace of Allah upon you." 28 In this virtuous essence the Quranic verse asserts that after bestowment of this everlasting treasure of knowledge now there remains no realm of knowledge and enlightenment which is not in the grip of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). This is what the Holy Quran describes as the "Fazl-i-Azim" (The Great Grace) - whatever the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was taught by way of knowledge was taught by Allah the Almighty. 29

If the teacher says to the pupil: I have taught you to read and you knew nothing before this, then he is justified to make this claim and there is nothing derogatory on his part to make such a claim; it cannot be termed as insolence to degrade the student. But if the student says to his teacher, you knew nothing and it was your teacher who gave you knowledge, then though, this logic cannot be denied. Nonetheless, it demonstrates that the student is guilty of insolence and misbehaviour towards his teacher. Such an example can hardly be traced in the annals of civilised behaviour.

Whatever the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) knew was through the knowledge bestowed upon him by Allah the Almighty. This being the fact, if before imparting the knowledge through the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah mentioned the state of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam): "You knew nothing of the Book nor of the Faith (Imaan)." 30; it is consonance with the Almighty state of Divine Grandeur. It does not at all behove mortals like us to utter such words in respect of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). This would be downright degrading and insulting the high virtuous status of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
The uncontroversial fact remains that Allah the Almighty granted the I'lm-i-Ghayb to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and if anyone denies and suspects the veracity of this Divine Truth, he is surely guilty of falsehood and diminishing the eminence of Divine Favour. If there be such a one, he ought to be condemned as a blasphemer, worthy of being expelled from the rank and file of Muslimhood. The quality of a true Muslim is that he accepts and believes as true each and every command of Almighty Allah and acts upon it ungrudgingly and unreservedly and induces others to do so.
The Darbar (seat of pre-eminences) of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is a grand Darbar surpassing the grandeur of worldly kings and monarchs. It is an act of misbehaviour and misdemeanour even to utter loud words in his august presence; such an act causes the loss of other virtuous deeds of a Believer, forfeiting the Divine Grace. There is a stern warning against those who slip away slyly from his assembly without seeking his permission, this amounts to misbehaviour. For them there is stern foreboding of dire punishment on the day of Judgement. It is said: "Deem not the summons of one Apostle among yourselves, like the summons of one of you to another. Allah doth knows those of you who slip away under shelter of some excuse; then those of you who slip away under shelter of some excuse; then beware those who withstand the Apostle's orders, lest some trial befell them or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them." 31 We can guess what would be the state of awe-inspiring grandeur of the Holy Company graced by the Holy Presence of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) where even the slightest misdemeanour is caught up as a misdeed inviting punishment from the providence.
The companions of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to sit in his presence in due respect holding their breaths and not making any gestures to disturb the dignity of the assembly. They would only utter respectful words like: "O Prophet of Allah! May my parents be sacrificed at the alter of your dignity." To every question put to them, their reply used to be, "Allah and his Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) know better."

28. Surah Nisa: Verse 113
29. Surah Aala: Verse 6
30. Surah Nur: Verse 63
31. Surah Shura: Verse 52

6. THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF THE GHAYB OF THE HOLY PROPHET(SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

In the light of the foregoing evidence it must be admitted that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was endowed with the Knowledge of the Unseen (I'lm-i-Ghayb) as a Grace from Allah.
We can examine the issue from three angles.
A. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was granted this treasure of knowledge directly from the Providence, i.e. without the means of any agency conveying the "knowledge."
B. Through the revelation of the Holy Quran which is the Treasure-House of all Knowledge operating in the universe.
C. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was sent as a "Shahid" (Witness), i.e. a person who is in constant touch will the affairs taking place in the world, examining and analyzing them as an observer with an insight to assess and analyse their influence in day-to-day matters. He thus remained ever aware of the God-gifted vigilance possessing full knowledge as an eye-witness, with powers of Haqq-ul-Yaqeen and Ain-ul-Yaqeen - the faculty of witnessing things with unwavering faith and certitude.
By examining the Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Knowledge of the Unseen under the first view-point, viz. the bestowment of I'lm-i-Ghayb directly from Allah the Almighty, we might refer to the following verses of the Holy Quran:-
A. "These are some of the stories of the Unseen which We haverevealed to you, O Prophet!" 32
B. "Such is one of the stories of what happened Unseen which We revealed by inspiration unto you." 33
C. "The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) does not withhold grudgingly a knowledge of the Unseen." 34
Examining the Knowledge of the Unseen of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) from the second point of view, the following verses of the Holy Quran are enough to open our eyes:-
A. "And We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy and Glad Tidings to Muslims." 35
B. "The Quran is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what (went) before it - a detailed exposition of all things." 36

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