FARHAN ABDUL MAJIID

First, never stop learning. Graduating from college doesn’t signify the end of learning; in fact, college is fundamentally about instilling a culture of knowledge within us. I’ve observed that many problems, particularly in leadership, arise when people fail to listen to and apply knowledge in decision-making, leading to disarray.

There’s a profound saying, some attribute it to a Hadith, others to the companions, that outlines four ideal states concerning knowledge, and one to avoid:

• Be an expert (alim) in knowledge – this is the most ideal.
• If not an expert, then be a constant learner (muta’allim).
• If that’s still not possible, be a listener (mustami’) who enjoys absorbing knowledge from anywhere.
• At the very least, be a lover of knowledge (muhibban), someone who cherishes knowledge and learning gatherings.
• And crucial advice: never be someone who rejects knowledge or acts without it, as this leads to ruin.

This fifth type, often associated with bid’ah (innovation without basis), refers to those whose actions, whether in governance or organizations, are not founded on knowledge, causing damage.

My second message emphasizes that when you embark on your endeavors or careers, which we call ikhtiar in Islam, ensure it is good (khair). The beauty of Islam is that the word “ikhtiar” shares a root with “khair,” signifying that all our efforts must inherently be good. For an effort to be good by Islamic standards, it must be halal (lawful) and thayyiban (pure/good), and free from sin. My late teacher, K.H. Hasyim, taught that prayer (doa) is internal ikhtiar, and ikhtiar is external prayer. These two are inseparable because they are our essential tools as Muslims. We cannot strive without praying, as that would be akin to having no belief in God, nor can we solely pray without striving, as that would imply a lack of trust in God’s divine decree.

Ultimately, I believe that by continuously learning and ensuring your efforts are always good, the result will be blessings (barakah). Scholars define barakah as “ziadatul khair” – good that continuously increases. If your actions don’t lead to new and accumulating goodness, then it’s worth questioning if they are truly blessed. Conversely, good actions are sure to yield new good outcomes in the future, which we will also benefit from.