“The goal of knowledge is to ultimately take us back to God so that an individual knows Him experientially and personally.” 

Knowledge is sought for education

When we embark on the path of knowledge, we can often lose sight as to why we are seeking knowledge. Knowledge is not to be sought merely to know or for the sake of knowledge, rather, it is to accomplish something else through its acquisition. Everything we study should take us somewhere. For example, the study of Arabic grammar and morphology should not just improve our understanding of Arabic, rather, it should be a means of being able to know about Allah from primary texts.  And the knowledge about Allah should take us to know Him.

“Knowledge is always a means and not a goal in of itself.”

Knowledge is sought for practice

The student of knowledge  should never be content in the acquisition of knowledge, for the acquisition is a part of the bigger whole. Knowledge, and in particularly the beneficial knowledge is sought with the sincere intention to first gain the knowledge, and thereafter, draw closer to Allah via its application.

Knowledge is for the purpose of reformation

The knowledge we acquire should not just make us more knowledgeable but it should fill out our hearts with good traits. The acquisition and implementation of the knowledge should change us to become better, it should reform our behaviour and character until it beautifies us as people. The knowledge that does not change the character and behaviour of the one seeking it to become a more moral, ethical, kind, compassionate, courteous, humble, gentle, just and trusting person is not benefiting him even though the knowledge may be of the beneficial type. May Allah teach us the beneficial knowledge, may Allah grant us the ability to act upon the knowledge, may He accept our efforts, beautify our character and draw us near.