Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) - Seeking Knowledge

The first revelation that Allah s.w.t. revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the commandment for his people to seek knowledge, through the spirit of "Iqra".

When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received his first revelation in Hira' Cave through angel Jibril, he was asked to "iqra", which means read. Astounded, he replied "I am not literate." He was asked two more times to read, but he answered again, that he could not read. After that, angel Jibril conveyed the revelation: "Read in the name of your Lord Who created; created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen; taught man that which he knew not" (Surah Al-'Alaq; 1-5)

"Iqra" is a command to read the signs that God has placed in the world so that all of us can understand something of His Wisdom and Mercy. It is a command to learn, through experience and understanding. And as humans continue seeking knowledge, always remember never to be arrogant with the knowledge that we have acquired.