What is علم

**Tomato** · 4th May 2012

Many times I see that the Arabic word [علم] is translated as "knowledge" in English.

Knowledge is defined by Oxford dictionary as:

facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject:

However, I'm interested in the definition of [علم] according to the classical scholars.

If someone can answer, I would appriciate it.

jazakullahu khairan

**Aboo Shayba** · 4th May 2012

Shaykh Uthaymeen (RH):

العلم هو إدراك الشيء على ما هو عليه إدراكاً جازماً.ومراتب الإدراك ست:
الأولى: العلم هو إدراك الشيء على ما هو عليه إدراكاً جازماً.
الثانية: الجهل البسيط وهو عدم الإدراك بالكلية.
الثالثة: الجهل المركب وهو إدراك الشيء على وجه يخالف ما هو عليه.
الرابعة: الوهم وهو إدراك الشيء مع احتمال ضد راجح.
الخامسة: الشك وهو إدراك الشيء مع احتمال مساو.
السادسة: الظن وهو إدراك الشيء مع احتمال ضد مرجوح.
والعلم ينقسم إلى قسمين: ضروري ونظري.

Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan (HA):

والعلم: هو إدراك الشيء على ما هو عليه في الواقع أو تصور الشيء على طبق الواقع.
وإدراك الشيء على خلاف ما هو عليه في الواقع أو تصور الشيء على خلاف الواقع فهو الجهل وهو ضد العلم.

**-Hussain-** · 4th May 2012

"

‘Ilm [Knowledge] is that which vanishes from committing sins. And is not obtained by a sinner. If solely word-ism was the name of ‘Ilm, it would come together with sin, too - but even with Kufr [Disbelief]. Otherwise in Beirut and Germany Christians are instructors of Arabic, their memory is very strong and their mind is very fast. So, one comes to know that ‘Ilm is not the name of that.

The reality of real ‘Ilm is Noor [Light], regarding which it is said in the Qur’an, قَدْ جَاءكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ ["There has come to you from Allah a Light and clear Book." - 5:15]. And this has been given a Ruh [Soul] as well, وَأَيَّدَهُم بِرُوحٍ ["...and has helped them with a Spirit from Him." - 58:22]. Enough, in reality exactly this is ‘Ilm."

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahimahullah)

**-Hussain-** · 4th May 2012

**-Hussain-** · 4th May 2012

Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee (rh) said:
"I complained to Wakee' (his teacher) about the poorness of my memory
So he directed me to abandon disobedience
And informed me that the knowledge of Allaah is light
And [that] the light of Allaah does not guide the disobedient"