Embracing Knowledge and Unity: A Message to Al-Salam Institute

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

To the Graduates of Al-Salam Institute

On the occasion of the graduation of students in the Alimiyyah and Ifta programs on Saturday, 13th Jumada al-Thani, 1446 AH

By Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford

Respected Graduates of Al-Salam Institute, holders of the Alimiyyah or Ifta certificates!

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on this joyous and blessed day. We, your teachers and mentors at Al-Salam Institute, along with the administrators, share in your happiness and pride, as well as that of your families. Your hard work has borne fruit, your efforts have yielded the desired outcomes, and you have achieved the success you long aspired to through dedication and diligence.

We wish you a bright future filled with new opportunities and pray for your continued success. May you persist steadfastly on the righteous path.

It should not escape your understanding that learning does not stop upon graduation; rather, it is a continuous journey throughout life. Acquiring knowledge is not limited to the period of formal education but must become an integral part of your life until certainty (death) comes to you. Personal and professional growth depends on the pursuit of knowledge, enabling you to adapt to the rapid changes in the world and showcasing your competencies in new fields.

Engage your minds without neglect or distraction. Have you not heard that greatness is not in growing older or taller, but in the maturity and depth of one’s understanding? Sound thinking and careful consideration are the foundations of wise decisions and prudent actions. Critical thinking allows you to analyze information accurately, understand diverse perspectives, and delve into varying opinions and views. Using logic and systematic reasoning aids in solving problems effectively, developing ideas, and innovating concepts.

Do not follow the ways of those who place a veil between themselves and wisdom, opposing insight and reason both openly and covertly. A sound mind commands only righteousness and piety, whereas those who adopt paths of immorality and betrayal have forsaken their intellect and lost their sound judgment. Blessed is the one who uses their mind, and wretched is the one who indulges in folly, fabricating falsehoods or misinterpreting matters.

Make the Book of Allah your guide, for there is no guidance except through it. Whoever clings to the Quran finds guidance and salvation, while those who turn away from it are led astray and ruined. It is a blessed book, so ponder its meanings and follow its verses. Reflecting deeply on the Quran ensures understanding its profound meanings and extracting lessons and wisdom that illuminate our lives.

When reciting the Quran, open your hearts and minds to comprehend the divine wisdom that directs us in all aspects of life. Contemplation of the Quran strengthens faith, enhances spiritual awareness, deepens the relationship with Allah, and instills detachment from the material world. The Quran is not merely words and phrases but encompasses meanings, truths, insights, and subtleties. None attains the rank of leadership except those who recognize the value of the Noble Revelation and seek its guidance.

Study the jurisprudence of the Companions and Successors, as well as that of Abu Hanifah, Malik, Shafi’i, Ahmad, Bukhari, Ibn Taymiyyah, and Shah Waliullah. If you marvel, then marvel at the scholarly achievements and discoveries of Imam Hamiduddin Farahi, which amazed minds and baffled intellects.

Let your focus be on uniting the ranks of Muslims and reducing the gaps and estrangements among them. The unity of the community and the solidarity of its members are essential for progress and prosperity. When people cooperate in righteousness and piety and agree on fundamentals and general principles, they create an environment of mutual understanding and respect. Unity strengthens social bonds, fosters tolerance, coherence, and moderation, and leads to inner and outer peace, ensuring a better future for the coming generations. Know that anyone who professes Islam is a Muslim. Do not declare them disbelievers (takfir), innovators (tabdi’), or sinners (fisq); rather, call them to righteousness and assist them in piety. Be certain that envy, hatred, and discord are destructive diseases and vile traits. If you see people immersed in these behaviors, beware of them and avoid engaging in their disputes. Protect your tongues and pens from sowing division among Muslims, tearing their hearts apart, or filling their souls with discord, hypocrisy, animosity, and hatred.

It has long been said that the tongue is a spear, even sharper than a sword. How many words have severed necks? How many statements have burned nations? Hold firmly to the religion of Allah, clinging to it with all your might. Human-made sects are but worldly livelihoods and positions, mere barriers to the kingdom of the Hereafter. When you uncover the reality of the so-called monks, you will find that all they seek is gold and silver.

Finally, I urge myself and you to fear Allah in every situation. Taqwa is what purifies the soul and refines the heart. Whoever does not fear Allah will not be purified by anything, even if they give out an abundance of wealth in charity.

O Allah, make us among those who constantly repent and those who purify themselves.
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