Seeking worldly education before religious knowledge

24-6-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

I'm 23 and studying cost and management accountancy. I frequently think my education is not according to Islam, because, this education won't help us on the Day of Judgment.
Is it correct to say that we should learn Quran and Sharee'ah law first and then learn other knowledge? If it is correct, then are we committing sin by studying worldly education and knowing nothing about Islam?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Knowledge is of two kinds:

1) Fard 'Ayn (individual obligation). It is every Muslim's duty to acquire such knowledge. One who neglects such knowledge is sinful. This kind includes: learning the principles of Islamic creed and pillars of Islam such as prayer, Zakat, fasting and Hajj.

2) Fard Kifaayah (collective duty). It means that if some people have acquired such knowledge, the others will be exempt of responsibility. This kind includes: worldly sciences, such as medicine, accounting and other sciences that the Muslim society needs.

You should know that learning Fard al-'Ayn knowledge comes in priority. Then, you can do your best to acquire other kind of knowledge (Fard Kifaayah), such as accounting, and Insha Allah, you will be rewarded for that since you work to satisfy the Muslim society's need.

Allah Knows best.