Article appeared Friday, May 26th, 2017 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (477) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is there a difference between the knowledge of a human being and Gods Wisdom? Are the two
comparable? To work this out, can we first look at how humans apply knowledge? When a
sound hits our ear drums or the retina screens the image of a printed word it is passed on to the
brain. What happens when the sound or image enters the brain is what not only makes humans
different from all other animals but also from each other.

Human beings have the option of applying meaning and/or asking additional questions to
eventually settle the meaning and if necessary, go into action that befits a human being. It is
important to realize that the sound or image do not come with meaning, it is the brain that
attaches meaning. So, where do meanings in the brain come from? The Holy Quran answers
this question:
And He taught Adam the nature of all things [2.31]

Was it only Adam that the Creator taught? So the knowledge that we use to attach meaning to
the words that we hear and words that we see has been created by God. No matter how wise a
human being becomes, can the knowledge of man, be comparable to that of the One who has
created knowledge for us? Can man move out or beyond the realm of created knowledge? Can
there be a meeting point of the knowledge of man and that of the Creator?

God revealed knowledge to the prophets. Regardless of the degree of knowledge revealed,
would it be appropriate for a prophet to feel superior because of the knowledge or for a prophet
to feel that he can reach the knowledge of God? Or at any point credit himself for the knowledge
he/she has? In the Verses 18.60 to 18.82 of the Quran, God reveals how He taught Prophet
Moses (pbuh) a lesson by having him meet someone who possessed more knowledge than him
making clear that no human can be superior in knowledge; one can only possess knowledge
to the extent that God has given.

18.60 Behold Moses said to his attendant, "I will not give up until I reach the
junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travel."
The junction of the two seas is generally understood to be the junction between the fresh water
river and the salty water sea the meeting point in the sea.
It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: one palatable and sweet and
the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them a partition that is
forbidden to be passed. [25.53]

Both bodies of water are allowed to flow freely, yet they cannot cross the boundary laid down by
God. Moses challenges himself to reach this junction, where he would meet someone more
knowledgeable than him and be taught the lesson that God has in store for him. Moses also
does not realize that he would not be able to understand this persons knowledge nor he be able
to cross into this persons knowledge domain.

18.61 But when they reached the Junction they forgot (about) their Fish which
took its course through the sea (straight) as in a tunnel.
Moses felt that by following the fish, he would eventually reach the junction little realizing that
God is showing him that he cant even stick to his target, let alone fathom superior knowledge
he is totally dependent on God.
18.62 When they had passed on (some distance) Moses said to his attendant:
"Bring us our early meal; truly we have suffered much fatigue at this (stage of)
our journey."
Having forgotten about the fish, Moses is in a manner lost as he is now aimlessly proceeding.
His tiredness points to his limited and dependent human qualities, as he had taken the
challenge of travelling years and years [18.60] to find the junction.

18.63 He replied, "Did you see (what happened) when we took refuge in the
rock? I did indeed forget (about) the Fish: none but Satan made me forget to tell
(you) about it: it took its course through the sea in a marvelous way!"
Moses attendant had actually noticed that the fish made its way out to sea in a manner
identifying the junction; however, he had forgotten to mention this to Moses. This shows that the
attendant who could also be said to be Moses disciple, was given knowledge about the fish. In
this case, his knowledge about the fish proved to be better than that of Moses.

18.64 Moses said, "That was what we were seeking after": so they went back on
their footsteps following (the path they had come).
So Moses and his attendant retraced their steps.

18.65 So they found one of Our servants on whom We had bestowed Mercy from
Ourselves and whom We had taught knowledge from Our Own Presence.
Reaching back to the junction, Moses finally meets one of Gods special servants, God does not
mention his name more so perhaps not to highlight the person, rather to point to the fact that
all are His servants, and all are given different levels of knowledge while being totally dependent
and subservient to God. Moses then gives him the following proposal.

18.66 Moses said to him, "May I follow you on the condition that you teach me
something of the (Higher) Truth which you have been taught?"

18.67 (The other) said: "Verily you will not be able to have patience with me!

18.68 "And how can you have patience about things of which your
understanding is not complete?"
Moses inability to understand is suggested. As he would not be able to understand the incidents
that would take place, he may become impatient and demand an explanation. Moses however
promises not be impatient.

18.69 Moses said, "You will find me, if Allah so wills (truly) patient: nor shall I
disobey you in any matter."
Thus commenced Moses journey to demonstrate that all are given different types of knowledge
by God as, honored as His servants, however, none can claim superiority. As knowledge may
be specialized, others would not necessarily understand, however, mutual respect and patience
are essential virtues that one should have in order to learn from others.