Journey Along the Silk Road
The Lesson: Background Information
By Karima Diane Alavi
- June, 2003
The Rihla and the Islamic concept of scholarship as a religious obligation.
Muslims are encouraged to study and if possible, to travel in search of knowledge. There are two primary sources of encouragement for scholarship amongst Muslims: the Qur'an, or holy text of Islam, and the >Hadith, or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.
The Qur'an
The very first revelation of the Qur'an, which became verses 1-5 of Chapter 96, discusses reading, writing, reciting (or proclaiming/lecturing) and the pen, indicating the important links between scholarship and religion.
Iqra', Proclaim! (or Read)
In the Name of thy Lord and Cherisher,
Who created -
Created man, out of a mere clot
Of congealed blood
Iqra' Proclaim! And thy Lord
Is most bountiful-
He who taught
The use of the Pen
Taught man that
Which he knew not.
The Hadith
There are also many sayings of the Prophet Muhammad that encourage people to combine travel and scholarship. Here are a few samples:
"Those who leave home in search of knowledge walk the path of God"
"Seek ye knowledge, from the cradle to the grave"
"Seek ye knowledge, even unto China"
Many people combined the idea of "Rihla fi talab al-ilm" [Travel for the Sake of Knowledge] with the religious obligation to make the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (See Addendum A: The Five Pillars of Islam)
Others traveled simply as merchants so they could participate in the economic activities of the vast markets that arose across the Islamic world. As cities grew into great economic and intellectual centers, they attracted people from as far away as Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, creating a tremendous melting pot of commercial and intellectual exchange.
Buddhists, Jews, and Sabaean Star Gazers mingled with Muslims, Hindus and Christians during their travels along the great trade routes of the Old World, exchanging ideas as well as products.
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