Teleological categorization of knowledge

Extract from Book ” Islamic Concept of Knowledge” by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr.Tahir-ul-Qadri

This is now a settled baseline that real knowledge is that which is a means to divine gnosis and close proximity to the Creator of the universe. But categorization from this point of view would not consider only the Qur’anic Studies, Knowledge of Exegeses, Prophetic Traditions, Islamic Jurisprudence, Morphology and Syntax, Spiritualism and Sufism as branches of Islamic knowledge. This will also include Biology, Physics, Psychology, Chemistry, Politics, Sociology, Economics, History, Law, Nuclear Technology, Computer Sciences, Management, Commerce, Mass Communication etc. as religious studies. The sole condition is that we should acquire this knowledge for the sake of Allah (SWT) and as means of His gnosis and nearness. So, all those who start their studies in the name of Allah (SWT) aiming at His nearness will be considered as students of Islamic Studies whatever specialty they work for and wherever they may be, because all these branches of knowledge do take us to the gnosis of Allah (SWT) some way.

The quest for the word of truth is the venture towards Lord. A man blessed with peaceful mind and faculty of reasoning working diligently in various fields of worldly knowledge will ultimately end up with divine gnosis. The more he advances and ascends grades of reason and intellect, the more he becomes aware of oneness of Allah (SWT), His Lordship, Godship and various aspects of His Grandeur and Glory. So, every teacher and the taught and the trainer and the trainee engaged in quest for knowledge must know that he is stepping into the field of learning with the sole purpose that his short stay on earth may prove a means towards attaining the gnosis of the Real Creator, His nearness and an access to Him alone.