Have you ever felt empty inside? Have you ever felt like nothing excites you anymore, like nothing matters, like nothing is worth living for? If you have, you are not alone. Many people struggle with feelings of emptiness and uncertainty, especially in this fast-paced and competitive world. I know I have. I used to feel so drained and bored with my daily routine, such as waking up, scrolling, reading, eating, and sleeping. I used to feel so unsure about being able to achieve my dreams, whether they were related to my education, or personal goals. I used to feel so lonely, like I didn’t have friends to accompany me to fight together, to support me, to listen to me, and to share my joys and sorrows. And I used to feel so many other negative emotions, such as sadness, depression, frustration, or loneliness. These feelings made me want to try again the activities that used to be my daily routine, the activities that used to ignite my passion and curiosity. Learn. Studying. Joining a new group.
However, when I joined a new group, I was asked to take part in this activity and the discussion was about the adab of seeking knowledge. I think this is a theme that is heard often, maybe even too often, especially in the Muslim community. But when I tried to explain the term, it turned out I didn’t know enough. I realized that I had never really understood what it means, and how it relates to my personal experiences. I then reopened my old notes and found something. Something that made me rethink (again) my whole approach to learning. One sentence (from Imam Malik): learn adab before you learn knowledge. Or another sentence (from Imam Yusuf bin Al Husain): by learning adab it will be easier for you to learn knowledge. Or an analogy I heard on YouTube that someone who is smart will definitely do more corruption than someone who is not smart enough, if they don’t have adab.
What is adab? According to the Oxford Islamic Studies Online, adab is “a concept that encompasses ethical behavior, good manners, courtesy, and respect for others”. On the internet, we’ll find adab is a noble value or norm that applies in life, and can be obtained from the education process. I think it’s like preparing yourself before studying something, like reading a guide book before becoming a student. You know, God has given humans an amazing brain (Aql), instinctive needs and physical needs. But apart from that, God also gave us a guide book to get through this life. Aql enables humans to think and understand God’s guidance on how to fulfill human instincts and physical needs.
Therefore, by learning adab, we can use our Aql properly, and avoid misusing it for harmful purposes. By learning adab, we can also respect our teachers, our peers, and ourselves, and create a conducive environment for learning. By learning adab, we can also appreciate the sources of knowledge, such as the Quran, the Sunnah, and the scholars, and follow their teachings faithfully. By learning adab, we can also apply our knowledge in our daily lives, and share it with others for the benefit of humanity.
In conclusion, adab is an essential part of seeking knowledge, and it can help us overcome our feelings of emptiness and uncertainty. By learning, we can find meaning and purpose in our life, and believe that we can achieve our dreams with God’s help. I invite you to reflect on your own adab, and to join me in seeking knowledge with adab. May God bless our efforts and grant us success.
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