06/11/2024
THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY
Kātib Chalabi, the Ottoman Historian, stated in his book “Sullamu’l-Wusūl” (The Chain of Connection) the following about the importance of history:
It is evident that history is one of the most beneficial branches of knowledge. It is the knowledge of events that have occurred in the past. Through this discipline, we learn about the conditions of past nations, cities, genealogies, professions, and people’s ways of life. Its benefits are countless.
Ashāb al-kirām, tābi‘īn and the later generations of scholars used to narrate the stories, sayings, and conditions of past people to one another. The genealogy scholar Mus’ab al-Zubayri once said, “I have not seen anyone having as much knowledge of history as Imam Shāfi‘ī.”
Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak rarely left his home, and when asked if he was not feeling lonely, he replied, “I am engaged in reading the ahadīth of Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) and the narratives of ashāb and tābi‘īn. So, how come I would feel lonely? It is as though I sit in their company.”
Imām Nawawī (rahimahullāh) said in his book titled Tahzīb al-Asmā: “There are numerous benefits in knowing the sayings and conditions of the ulamā from whom knowledge is transmitted. Some of these benefits include:
• By knowing the biographies and good manners of great personalities, one can adopt their etiquette and attain the virtues they have achieved.
• It is possible to realise the calibre of each ulamā. The value of the one with a high position is recognized, and knowledge is acquired from such individuals, and those whose state is otherwise are also noted, and knowledge is not acquired from them.
• The great ulamā of the past are like our spiritual elders and predecessors. And not knowing them is a series of shortcoming, just like not knowing one’s own father or ancestors.
• When encountering differences in the statements of two great scholars from the past, one can determine which opinion to follow by choosing the one who is more knowledgeable and pious through this discipline.
• By studying history, one can appreciate the valuable works produced by past scholars. Seekers of knowledge (talabah al-ulūm) can determine which books to consult and prioritize through history. Indeed, there are numerous written works available.”
