The Acquisition
of Knowledge

The Prophet of Islam once observed, “Seek knowledge, even if you have to go as far as China.” (Shuabul Iman, Hadith No. 1543) This shows that there should not be any kind of prejudice or obstacle to acquiring knowledge. Traveling to China, in ancient times, was considered a very difficult journey. Therefore, the Prophet’s saying means enduring every difficulty towards this end. Nothing should be taken as an obstacle in this matter. Knowledge is what converts man’s state of ore to steel.

This tradition shows the importance of undertaking travel for knowledge. Travel enhances a person’s mental horizon. Travels help man to move from the limited local sphere to the unlimited global one.