Firmly grounded in knowledge(raasikh al-'ilm)

Question: What is meant by "raasikh al-'ilm" (one firmly grounded in knowledge)? How can a person become firmly grounded in knowledge? kindly elaborate.

Answer: The resolute in knowledge are those whose intellect is firmly grounded, free from doubts or uncertainties, and untainted by satanic whispers or intellectual impurities. Their minds are devoid of corruption and scholarly pollution, which refers to knowledge misused to harm others—commonly known as destructive knowledge. Such individuals occupy a spiritual station untouched by doubts or skepticism. They declare with certainty and faith that everything, regardless of its nature—small or great, ease or hardship—comes from Allah the Almighty. This Qur'anic perspective highlights two groups: the resolute in knowledge and others. The resolute possess a distinct pattern of thought (tarz-e-fikr) that enables them to observe and affirm that everything in the cosmos—past, present, and future—directly correlates to the Divine Essence. Manifestation aligns with what Allah the Almighty has decreed. Setting aside philosophical complexities, this can be understood through examples accessible to the general intellect.

Life's every action has its designated purpose, and interpreting these meanings transforms one’s pattern of thought. Faith affirms that all existence, present or future, is inscribed in the Loḥ Maḥfooẓ (Preserved Tablet). Nothing exists in the world without first being recorded there. A person is born because their existence was inscribed beforehand. Life's highs and lows, measured by days and years, also pre-exist in the Loḥ Maḥfooẓ. For example, Allah the Almighty assigns a specific provision for an individual, say one million rupees, pre-recorded in the Loḥ Maḥfooẓ. Just as money deposited in a bank exists beforehand, so do the resources allocated for a person. Through effort and striving, they gradually access this provision. However, if something is not preordained in the Loḥ Maḥfooẓ, it will not manifest in this world. One perspective illustrates that a person, despite the reproach of their conscience, may resort to earning through unlawful means, while another strives to earn lawfully. Whether one consumes lawful or unlawful provisions, the sustenance they receive is determined by what has already been inscribed in the Loḥ Maḥfooẓ. Even if someone disregards the admonition of their conscience, they can only obtain what is preordained for them. Conversely, a conscientious person, adhering to permissible means, also receives no more than what has been allocated for them. This highlights the divine law: nothing manifests in the world unless it is first recorded in the Loḥ Maḥfooẓ. The resolute in knowledge (rāsikh al-‘ilm) observe the connection of all phenomena, existence, actions, and movements with the Loḥ Maḥfooẓ. They openly declare that everything is from Allah the Almighty and have unshakable certainty that whatever is designated for them will undoubtedly reach them. This understanding creates contentment (istighnā) within them, which stems from certainty and spiritual witnessing. Without istighnā, one’s reliance on Allah weakens, and attachment to materiality prevails. Sufism teaches that true tranquility arises from istighnā, which requires firm reliance on Allah (tawakkul). Reliance, in turn, is rooted in faith, which depends on spiritual insight capable of perceiving the unseen (ghaib). Without this vision, no one can attain true peace. In today’s world, people chase wealth and material accumulation, yet lament the absence of peace. True tranquility is not transient but an eternal state untouched by death. It cannot be derived from temporary, perishable things that are visibly subject to decay. Muraqaba (Meditation) provides a method to detach the mind from mortal, material concerns and focus on eternal realities. This contemplation gradually leads one into the realm of the unseen, fostering conviction. When this conviction dawns, the inner sight becomes active, perceiving the unseen. Once a person realizes that the entire cosmos is governed by one supreme Being, their thoughts become entirely focused on that Reality. This realization causes the tree of istighnā to take root and flourish within them, expanding branch by branch.