How to convert ilm into Amal
Ilm is the Arabic word for knowledge, and Amal is the Arabic word for action. Knowledge and action are two essential components of a successful and fulfilling life. However, many people struggle with converting their knowledge into action, or applying what they learn to their daily lives. In this blog post, we will explore some tips and strategies on how to convert ilm into Amal, and how to benefit from both in the best way possible.
1. Have a clear intention (niyyah) for seeking knowledge. Before you start learning anything, ask yourself why you are doing it, and what you hope to achieve from it. Is it for the sake of Allah (swt), or for some worldly gain? Is it to improve yourself, or to impress others? Is it to benefit yourself and others, or to harm them? Having a sincere and pure intention will motivate you to learn more, and to act upon what you learn.
وَمَاۤ أُمِرُوۤا۟ إِلَّا لِیَعۡبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِینَ لَهُ ٱلدِّینَ حُنَفَاۤءَ وَیُقِیمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَیُؤۡتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَۚ وَذَ ٰلِكَ دِینُ ٱلۡقَیِّمَةِ
And they were ordered only to worship Allah, believing purely in Him – devoted solely (to Him), and to establish the prayer and to pay the obligatory charity – and this is the straight religion.
The verse is from chapter 98, verse 5. This verse implies that sincerity (ikhlas) is a key requirement for worshipping Allah and following His religion. Sincerity means to do everything for the sake of Allah alone, without any ulterior motives or hidden agendas. Sincerity also means to seek the truth and follow it, regardless of personal desires or opinions. Sincerity is essential for seeking knowledge, as it ensures that one’s intention is pure and aligned with Allah’s will. Sincerity also motivates one to act upon the knowledge that one acquires, and to use it for good and not evil.
2. Choose relevant and beneficial knowledge. Not all knowledge is equal, and not all knowledge is useful. Some knowledge may be harmful, misleading, or distracting. Therefore, you should be selective and careful about what you learn, and how you learn it. Choose knowledge that is relevant to your needs, goals, and interests. Choose knowledge that is beneficial for your dunya (worldly life) and akhirah (hereafter). Choose knowledge that is authentic, reliable, and trustworthy.
أَمَّنۡ هُوَ قَـٰنِتٌ ءَانَاۤءَ ٱلَّیۡلِ سَاجِدࣰا وَقَاۤىِٕمࣰا یَحۡذَرُ ٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةَ وَیَرۡجُوا۟ رَحۡمَةَ رَبِّهِۦۗ قُلۡ هَلۡ یَسۡتَوِی ٱلَّذِینَ یَعۡلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِینَ لَا یَعۡلَمُونَۗ إِنَّمَا یَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ
Will he, whose night hours pass in obedience while prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, ever be equal to the disobedient? Proclaim, “Are the knowledgeable and the ignorant equal?” It is only the men of intellect who heed advice. (Quran 39:9)
This verse implies that knowledge is a valuable and distinguishing quality that elevates one’s status and understanding. However, not all knowledge is the same, and not all knowledge is beneficial. Therefore, one should seek knowledge that is relevant to one’s situation and needs, and that helps one to achieve one’s goals and interests. One should also seek knowledge that is beneficial for both the worldly life and the hereafter, and that brings one closer to Allah and His pleasure. One should also seek knowledge that is authentic, reliable, and trustworthy, and that is based on the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Such knowledge will increase one’s faith, wisdom, and guidance.
3. Seek knowledge from qualified and righteous sources. The source of your knowledge is as important as the content of your knowledge. You should seek knowledge from those who have the proper qualifications, credentials, and experience in their fields of expertise. You should also seek knowledge from those who have good character, morals, and manners. They should be role models for you in both words and deeds. They should inspire you to follow their example, and to emulate their virtues.
وَمَاۤ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالࣰا نُّوحِیۤ إِلَیۡهِمۡۖ فَسۡـَٔلُوۤا۟ أَهۡلَ ٱلذِّكۡرِ إِن كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
And We did not send before you except men, towards whom We sent divine revelations – so O people, ask the people of knowledge if you do not know. (* All the Prophets were men.) (Quran 16:43)
This verse implies that one should seek knowledge from those who have the message, or the revelation, from Allah. These are the prophets, the messengers, and their followers who have inherited and preserved their teachings. They are the people of knowledge, who have the proper qualifications, credentials, and experience in their fields of expertise. They are also the people of righteousness, who have good character, morals, and manners. They are role models for us in both words and deeds. They inspire us to follow their example, and to emulate their virtues. They are the best sources of knowledge for us, as they guide us to the truth and the straight path.
4. Review and revise your knowledge regularly. Learning something once is not enough to retain it in your memory or to understand it fully. You need to review and revise your knowledge regularly, preferably with others who share your interest and passion. You can join study circles, online forums, or book clubs to discuss what you have learned, and to exchange ideas and opinions. You can also test yourself with quizzes, exercises, or assignments to check your progress and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
وَذَكِّرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ
And advise, for advice benefits the Muslims. (Quran 51:55)
This verse implies that reminding oneself and others of the knowledge that one has learned is beneficial for the believers. Reminding helps to reinforce the knowledge in one’s memory and to deepen one’s understanding of it. Reminding also helps to act upon the knowledge and to apply it to one’s life situations. Reminding can be done by reviewing and revising one’s knowledge regularly, preferably with others who share one’s interest and passion. One can join study circles, online forums, or book clubs to discuss what one has learned, and to exchange ideas and opinions. One can also test oneself with quizzes, exercises, or assignments to check one’s progress and identify one’s strengths and weaknesses.
5. Apply your knowledge to your life situations. The ultimate goal of seeking knowledge is not to accumulate information, but to transform yourself and your reality. You need to apply your knowledge to your life situations, and use it as a guide for your actions. You need to practice what you preach, and walk the talk. You need to be consistent and persistent in implementing what you have learned, even if it is difficult or challenging. You need to seek Allah's help and guidance in everything you do.
یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفۡعَلُونَ
كَبُرَ مَقۡتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا لَا تَفۡعَلُونَ
"O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do." (Quran 61:2-3)
This verse implies that applying one’s knowledge to one’s life situations is a sign of faith and sincerity. Saying what one does not do is a sign of hypocrisy and falsehood. Allah hates those who are hypocrites and liars, and loves those who are truthful and honest. Applying one’s knowledge to one’s life situations means to practice what one preaches, and to walk the talk. It means to be consistent and persistent in implementing what one has learned, even if it is difficult or challenging. It also means to seek Allah’s help and guidance in everything one does, and to rely on Him for success and reward.
6. Share your knowledge with others. Knowledge is a gift from Allah (swt), and a trust that He has given you. You should not keep it to yourself, but share it with others who may benefit from it. You can share your knowledge with others by teaching them, advising them, or reminding them. You can also share your knowledge by writing articles, books, or blogs; by making videos, podcasts, or webinars; or by using any other means of communication that suits you. Sharing your knowledge will increase your reward, expand your influence, and benefit the ummah (Muslim community).
وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ قَوۡلࣰا مِّمَّن دَعَاۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحࣰا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِی مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِینَ
"And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims."" (Quran 41:33)
This verse implies that sharing one’s knowledge with others is a noble and virtuous act, and a form of inviting to Allah and doing righteousness. Sharing one’s knowledge with others means to teach them, advise them, or remind them of the truth and the guidance that Allah has revealed. Sharing one’s knowledge with others can also be done by writing articles, books, or blogs; by making videos, podcasts, or webinars; or by using any other means of communication that suits one. Sharing one’s knowledge with others will increase one’s reward, expand one’s influence, and benefit the ummah (Muslim community). Sharing one’s knowledge with others also means to declare one’s identity and allegiance as a Muslim, and to invite others to join the fold of Islam.
These are some tips on how to convert ilm into Amal. We hope that they will help you in your journey of seeking and applying knowledge for the sake of Allah (swt). May Allah (swt) bless you with beneficial knowledge and righteous actions.