THOSE WHO GRASPED THE TRUE MEANINGS OF KNOWLEDGE BECAME SUPER POWERS AND DEVELOPED NATIONS OF THE WORLD - ALTAF HUSSAIN

London - 26 October 2001

Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder and Leader, has stated that knowledge has no limits and those who confine knowledge are in fact negating the very concept. Since knowledge is infinite and never be fully comprehended, therefore, one should never think that his or her knowledge is complete. Knowledge enables a person to learn, understand and awaken the dormant brain cells of human beings. The nations who recognised this fact became super powers and developed countries of the world. Whereas the nations who could not grasp the true meanings of "knowledge" and narrowed it only to religious information and knowledge or limited it to territorial and geographical knowledge thus effectively abolishing the process of learning, became dependent nations and are called underdeveloped countries. He was addressing the Central Committee and the Helping Committee of the All Pakistan Mohajirs Students Organisation (APMSO) at Nine Zero, the MQM Head Office in Karachi, over the telephone from London.

Mr Hussain said that it is a historical fact that amongst every nation worldwide and in all eras, the prophets, reformers, philosophers and intellectuals advised the people to gain more and more knowledge. The question arises that why? What were the reasons behind such advice? Why obtaining knowledge is so essential? Before reflecting on these, it must be clarified that we are mistaken if we think that the learning process is confined only to the human beings because both humans and animals could learn either through nature or a teacher. For example, humans learned that hygiene of not only the surroundings but also of the body is essential for good health because with perspiration, secretion of salts and toxic chemicals from the human body blocks the skin pores. Therefore, if we do not regularly cleanse our bodies then as a result of the blockage of skin pores, the process of perspiration and the secretion of salts and toxic chemicals along with it from the human body would also block. As a result, toxic chemicals would continue to stock within the human body and breed different diseases. Numerous basic knowledgeable facts are taught by nature to both humans and animals, whereas, for further knowledge, humans require learning and research. Basically, human beings gain knowledge from his or her surroundings. We observe that different animals clean their bodies in different ways. For example, dogs and cats lick their bodies for hygiene. Similarly, when water is available the animals do bathe as well. Birds also bathe for cleanliness and also with a view to cool their bodies.

Through persistent education and training the animals could also perform various tasks as performed by the human beings. For example, dogs are trained to search for heroin, buried bodies and criminals, because of their extraordinary sense of smell. Usually, this extraordinary sense is not present in every breed of dogs but in only some particular breeds. Human beings proclaim themselves to be the "eminent beings", however, when the question of extraordinary sense of smell arises, they too are dependent on dogs. This means that different animals possess different dormant capabilities and through persistent process of training and education, the dormant brain cells relating to these extraordinary capabilities could be awakened. Similarly, the dormant capabilities of human beings could also be awakened through persistent education because it is a fact that human mind is a treasure-trove of knowledge, which contains all the information and capabilities stored by nature. This treasure-trove is stored in every human mind and through persistent learning, education and deliberations one could reach into this treasure-trove. Those who grasped the true meanings of knowledge and education were able to acquire this treasure of knowledge and technology and became super powers and developed nations of the world.

At the time of the first Revelation to Mohammad (PBUH) the Angel Gabriel (AS) appeared to him and conveyed the divine assignment of prophethood, and gave him the first revelation ever from the Quran that read: "Read! In the name of thy Lord who created..." Mohammad (PBUH) replied that he was not learned. Mr Altaf Hussain said that generally "iqra" means "to read", whereas it is a historical fact that the entire Holy Quran, delivered to us through Mohammad (PBUH), who was in literal terminology unable to read. According to Islamic history books, at the time of the Treaty of Al-Hudaibia, the infidels refused to sign the treaty objecting that this treaty contains "Mohammad (PBUH), the Apostle of Allah", whereas we are signing the treaty with Mohammad (PBUH) bin Abdullah. We wouldn't have any conflict if we acknowledged Mohammad (PBUH) as "the Apostle of Allah", therefore, the words "Apostle of Allah" after his name must be cancelled. Hazrat Ali (RA), who had taken the treaty to infidels returned to Prophet (PBUH) and informed him of their objections. The Prophet (PBUH) asked Hazrat Ali (RA) to erase those words. Hazrat Ali (RA) refused with apology and said, "After writing the words `Apostle of Allah' after thy name how can I erase them." The Prophet (PBUH) asked to be told where 'Apostle of Allah' was written in the treaty and when Hazrat Ali (RA) indicated the position with his finger where the words, "The Apostle of Allah" were written in the agreement, then with the help of his thumb soaked in ink, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) himself erased the word 'the Apostle of Allah'.

Mr Hussain said that if the word "iqra" only meant to read then would the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) have needed to ask for the position of the word 'Apostle of Allah'? Instead the Prophet (PBUH) would have learnt to read and write upon the orders of "iqra". Therefore, the true meaning of iqra is to persistently seek knowledge, learn and ponder; and to awaken or enlighten the dormant brain cells. Mr Hussain said that the Muslims believe that the entire knowledge of this universe is present in the Holy Quran but the whole Muslim Ummah is dependent upon Non-Muslims. Moreover, to hoodwink the common Muslims, some religious elements portray that what if the non-Muslims have become the super powers, they have in fact learned from our Holy Quran. But the question arises why the Muslims failed to learn from the Holy Quran? Is the Holy Quran, for the non-Muslims to learn and not the Muslims? If the true meaning of "knowledge" and "education" is not grasped and it is confined only to religious education and worships then such nations would remain underdeveloped and would breed religious extremists instead of scientists, philosophers and intellectuals. Whereas the nations who grasp the true meanings of "knowledge" and "education" and act upon it to awaken their dormant brain cells, became the developed nations and super powers of the world. The entire treasure-trove of knowledge and technology has been embedded in the human mind. All the inventions and technologies including tanks, computers, aeroplanes, submarines, televisions, Internet, spaceships, are the product of human mind. Those who sought for and found the knowledge from the treasure-trove of their minds joined the developed countries of the world. Similarly, every human being through persistent act of learning and pondering could awaken his or her dormant brain cells and seek new inventions, technology and ideologies from the treasure-trove of human mind. The entire treasure-trove of knowledge is stored in the human mind and it depends on how one interpret the true meanings of "iqra" and act upon it to retrieve knowledge from the treasure-trove in the human mind.

Mr Hussain said that the Holy Quran states that God helps those who help themselves. This is a universal statement and does not distinguish between Muslims and non-Muslims. However, for the past 1400 years, the teachings of our shortsighted religious clerics, in the name of Allah Almighty and the Holy Quran, have served to make the brain cells dormant instead of awakening them, which is against the teachings of "iqra". If one debates on a subject or raises questions then certain clerics term it as satanic thoughts, devil's view, un-Islamic, etc.

Mr Hussain said that the Allah Almighty created the mind and gifted it with the capability to think. It is repeatedly stated in the Holy Quran to think and ponder, however, the so-called religious leaders teach not to think. Allah Almighty proclaims in the Holy Quran "[45.13] And He has made subservient to you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, all, from Himself; most surely there are signs in this for the people who reflect."

Now those who acquired knowledge, they extracted oil, mineral and uranium from earth and sent satellites and spaceships in the skies and became the powerful nations of the world. According to a famous Hadith of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) "acquire knowledge even if you have to travel to China". The question arises was Islam practised in China that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) advised his Companions (RA) to travel to China for acquiring knowledge?

Mr Hussain said that the shortsighted religious elements have confined "knowledge" only to "religious knowledge" thus closing the doors of pondering upon the Muslims. As a result, all the Muslim countries are now subservient to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. Irrespective of religion, colour, cast or nation, Mr Hussain recommended to all the students, particularly those belonging to the APMSO, to acquire knowledge. Do not read books with a view of passing your exams or obtaining degrees because such education has no benefits. The real purpose of "knowledge" and "education" is to think, ponder, learn and analyse to awaken and enlighten the dormant brain cells so as to enable yourself to extract the hidden treasure-trove of knowledge in the human mind and present it to the world thus benefiting not only one's family but also the Movement, the nation, the country and the humanity at large.