ISLAM: Tazkiya and knowledge

According to one point of view regarding the method of tazkiya, the company of a Sufi who has attained the state of realization is a must, because just one glance from such a person is considered enough to bring about a change in the human psyche. But this point of view cannot be substantiated by either the Quran or the Hadith. According to the Quran and the Hadith, tazkiya can be attained only by one’s own reflection and introspection. If one has developed right thinking, by studying the relevant books and by observation of nature, one will derive lessons which will help one in purifying one’s personality.
Chapter 35 of the Quran mentions mountains in which there are streaks of various shades. Then the verse goes on to say, “Only those of His servants, who possess knowledge, fear God.” (35:28). This verse shows that the knowledge of mountains or natural events should create awe and fear of God in a person. That is to say, the source of fear is learning. The more learning one acquires, the more one will be able to understand the wisdom in God’s creation.
Study increases the capacity to think. Study enables one to derive the food of God-realization from things at a deeper level. For instance, everyone inhales the air for the oxygen it provides. It is thus possible for everyone to be thankful to God for this. However, a person who has any knowledge of modern discoveries about the respiratory system, will be a thousand times more grateful, and thus his tazkiya will also develop to a much greater degree than one who does not know of these discoveries.
The fact is that knowledge provides a wide framework for developing one’s tazkiya. Through knowledge, which is like a booster, one discovers new aspects of increasing tazkiya.