Knowledge is the Foundation of Success

“Those blind ˹to the truth˺ (the ignorant) and those who can see (the knowledgeable) are not equal, nor are those who have faith and do good ˹equal˺ to those who do evil. Yet you are hardly mindful.” [Quran 40:58].

Those who know have an edge over those who do not know. Knowledge turns ignorance into informed. Informed persons tend to hold realistic perspective on their beliefs, people, and situations, and last but not the least the future scenario. They are better aware of themselves and their surroundings. They are likely to make judicious and balanced decisions and act objectively and fairly. Their response and reaction are likely to be more unbiased and less emotional. There is higher pragmatism and less intuition in their plans and strategies. Etc.

Beliefs are assumptions deeply rooted in cultures, carried forward from generation to generation. A belief can neither be generalized as always reflecting truth or refuted at the onset being totally absurd and untrue. For example, morality, honesty, modesty, etc. are true virtues; no none can deny this belief. At the same time, a lot of assumptions that are considered a belief are not true. Such as many superstitions prevalent in culture are mere false assumptions and carry no weight – No.13 is bad luck, etc. Beliefs when blind are emotional dispositions. For example, people have emotional stances vis-à-vis their family values and traditions. The ignorant persons usually follow blindfolded beliefs – deep-rooted assumptions – while the knowledgeable person takes a pragmatic view.

The informed persons seek knowledge through a learning process before they develop conviction or faith. Knowledge obtained through a learning process is facts unearthed and accepted. For example, knowledge about the universe and its creation, the beginning of life, the inevitability of death, laws of physics and chemistry, etc. builds our conviction on science.

A person goes through various stages in the process of learning and acquiring knowledge. Typically, the pre-learning stage is ignorance. It is also called the “Blind spot”, where a person has no knowledge. Then comes the next stage, which is characterized by “Unconscious Incompetence” This was first talked about by Prof Abraham Maslow, a Psychologist. He explained that a person may consider that he or she has the knowledge but in reality, it is not true. Having said that, he does not get ready to learn until he has this realization that he does not know – referred to as reality shock. For example, a child would think that riding a bicycle is simple until he makes his first attempt to ride it and falls. Realization is the third stage in the learning sequence. Here the person finds out that he does not know and prepares to search for knowledge rather new knowledge. This moves him to the fourth stage where he or she actively seeks knowledge all the time. Besides the realization, one has to develop an interest and explicit need for knowledge that motivates him for seeking knowledge.

The Knowledge Seeking Paradigm

A person tells a story, to which either we may believe it as true or not true. Our belief remains dormant or blind until we discover its truth. Learning is the basis for discovering the truth which would lead to either accepting of a belief with conviction or denying it altogether. Our quest for knowledge does not stop here. Subsequently, we seek the physical evidence of it with our open eyes or through objective reasoning, but not logic – seeing is believing. As the learning process advances, our belief turns into faith. In the following verses, Almighty has guided us on the learning process, which validates our stated learning trajectory. In the noble Quran: –

• Allah says, “This is the Book! There is no doubt about it—a guide for those mindful ˹of Allah˺, who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and donate from what We have provided for them, and who believe in what has been revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺and what was revealed before you, and have sure faith in the Hereafter. It is they who are ˹truly˺ guided by their Lord, and it is they who will be successful. [Quran 2:2-5]
• Indeed, this is the absolute truth (Belief). [Quran 56:95]
• Indeed, if you were to know (Learn) ˹your fate˺ with certainty, ˹you would have acted differently˺. [Quran 102:5]
• ˹But˺ you will surely see the Hellfire (Get evidence). Again, you will surely see it with the eye of certainty. [Quran 102:6-7]

At the onset, we should accept the unseen and not deny it outrightly – Believing. Then with the belief at the back of mind, we should try to find its plausibility by searching for evidence; applying objective reasoning; and by joining of the dots – learning. If the belief was a fact or an assumption in both cases it will become clear. Finally, we should look for cues (evidence) to further validate or reject the belief – seeing. A successful learning process turns the belief into conviction (faith). Ironically, when we outrightly reject something, we then fail to learn except rationalizing our disbelief or denial.  “Indeed, Allah does not guide the people who disbelieve (deny).” [Quran 5:67]

The above guidance has direct relation with our acceptance of a reality in our daily lives. So many of us keep denying that they are on the wrong trajectory in our spiritual lives, personal lives, social lives, studies, and professions, which would carry us and to our careers to failures until it happens. But then often we do not have a reversal. Almighty warns all such people in Sura Asr, as follows: –

“By the ˹passage of˺ time! Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.” [Quran 103]

Moral: Always seek to learn and stay open to accepting truth!

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article/blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the positions of Consoltra or any other organization.