Islam is rooted in the idea that knowledge is the most potent force on earth. The more one knows, the closer one gets to the One who knows all. The Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, loved knowledge, and it is the only prayer the Qur’an commands him to supplicate: “Say: O my Lord, increase me in knowledge” (20:114).
I feel fortunate that I am able to spend a great deal of time in the pursuit of knowledge, and in sharing what I have learned. We live in a time when technology has made both the acquisition and the impartation of knowledge easier than ever before. And Wikipedia, launched in 2001, has fast become a quintessential tool of knowledge transmission.
Nary a day goes by when I don’t look something up on Wikipedia. For starters, it is surprisingly accurate and studies have shown that it stands up to, and even surpasses, the accuracy of information published in encyclopedias. Except that, unlike most encyclopedias, Wikipedia is a nonprofit entity. What truly amazes me is the powerful message of hope it gives by being an open source medium, a testament to the talent and skills of a global community of experts and amateurs who service it for our sake.
There is something in us that loves to share. The great Persian theologian, Fakhrudin al-Razi, said that discoveries are without enjoyment if they are not shared, and even a child, upon discovering something new, runs frantically to find someone to share it with. As adults, we love to share knowledge because we know, deep down, that it doesn’t belong to any individual but to everyone. That is the power and message of Wikipedia.
What I find most wondrous in this age of avarice and venality, where the mercenary attitude has possessed even the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick-maker, is that the people who conceived Wikipedia and run it are committed to a commercial-free knowledge zone in cyberspace. The price they pay, willingly, for keeping it untainted by commercial considerations is that they work with less; they have a smaller staff that works for smaller wages than most private, for-profit online institutions. And yet they have built what is now the fifth most popular website in the world. They are doing all of us a great service, and they actually believe that that is reward enough – to serve humanity. When Jonas Salk discovered the polio vaccine in 1955, he refused to patent it, instead giving the rights to the society. Asked why he didn’t patent it, he replied, “Could you patent the sun?”
Wikipedia is committed to spreading the light of knowledge as freely as the sun spreads its light. And Wikipedia needs our help.
Wikipedia, overseen by the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, has less than 100 employees and 100,000 contributors. And it needs to stay independent and free from advertising or commercial underwriters who will inevitably use it to their ends. In order to draw our attention, bothersome banners are currently on their site, banging the proverbial tin cup, seeking donations. I hope all of you who use Wikipedia will donate. I am committed to sending them a yearly donation to help keep it free.
The beauty of Wikipedia is that it is knowledge for the people and by the people. It may not be flawless, but if we find flaws or biased statements, we have a right and a duty to correct them. If we have expertise in an area, we ought to be vigilant and contribute our knowledge so others can benefit. And for many of us who are simply users, we should donate.
I am aware that Wikipedia represents the lowest form of knowledge, i.e. scientia, which is related to facts, sound opinions, and information. In the classical schema, the intellectual virtues were science, understanding, and wisdom; in Islam this was ‘ilm, fahm, wa hikmah – knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
However, both understanding and wisdom are dependent upon knowledge, so it is the foundation. Wikipedia is an incredible source for those pursuing knowledge and those who want to share what they have learned.
As for understanding and wisdom, that, unfortunately is not readily available online.
If you would like to make a donation, click here.
Rumaysa Posted on 01/26/2012
“[Wikipedia] is surprisingly accurate and studies have shown that it stands up to, and even surpasses, the accuracy of information published in encyclopedias.”
You mocked/criticized Wikipedia here before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxFJBtCp0Bo
Hmm? I wonder what lead to your change of heart about Wikipedia? :)
Loqman Posted on 01/14/2012
Times are changing, wikipedia is already hegemonic, it is in itself a good resource of knowledge, however I am not sure that we should support such a project, in my country in France we have empty public libraries with shelves filled with encyclopaedia, with nobody to use them anymore, and as a result the government is shutting those libraries down one after the other, building multimedia libraries or “mediacentre” instead, which are basically a cinema surrounded by libraries. One relationship to text is to be deeply altered in that process, when one read on Wikipedia it is all about shifting on images; the hypertext can be defined precisely as an access to what is more than – or above – the text itself. It seems that the major shift which is now going on in our technologically based cultural universe is that images are taking precedence over the text in respect to human’s mind relationship to knowledge. As for Wikipedia, we may have the felling that we are gaining a fruitful access to knowledge whereas in fact we are loosing the knowledge of how to read a text. We have to strive in order to protect the coming generations from the type of relationship to knowledge that media like Wikipedia is providing; articles on Wikipedia are not meant to be used as texts but as information devices. There is a gulf between those two approaches. Now, one could argue to that that it is still possible to print an article from Wikipedia and then using it as a proper text, but still, the problem here is manifolds, and we see all too well now that our modern culture, through the misguided political decision in the area of public education, is basically encouraging one to exclude the very reality of constraint, gives our youth the fallacious feeling that, because internet is available in each room of the home, everybody in the home is self-sufficient in knowledge, autonomous. With media like Wikipedia one is not obliged anymore to meet anyone to gain knowledge, even his own father, and that is creating a massive change in the organisation of our social relations data, no society has ever functioned like that.
A sister Posted on 01/10/2012
Dear Shaykh Hamza,
It was a blessing from Allah to us Canadians to see you and hear you speak at the RIS convention.
On behalf of all the Canadians, thank you for taking the time and efforts to travel up here. We all miss you already and are looking forward to the RIS 2012.
Until that time, you have left us with many thoughts for us to work on, and may Allah give us the strength to change ourselves so that we’ll be ready to recept your new speeches next year. Can you please post your RIS lectures on this website? We respected the no-recording policy at the conference, but being humans, we tend to forget. I would like my brothers to hear your inspirational words and to learn from them (they were busy at their booths during your lecture). I am particularly interested in the Fair-trade lecture, as well as the one on leadership and your closing remarks. Jazakallahu kheiran for your understanding, and may Allah increase you in knowledge for you are truly one of a kind. May Allah preserve you and protect your family.
Wassalaam.
Sheikh Aghlaba Posted on 01/08/2012
O’ the beacon of His light , in this darkest night
You give us hope that the dawn is in sight
For you we have prays that flow from our heart
Against ignorance, please keep on the fight
May Allah protect you and keep you upright
Increase you in knowledge, wisdom and might.
HAMID SHAIKH Posted on 01/07/2012
Dear Shaykh Hamza:
Selam a lekum :)
May you read this post in the best of health, spirit and iman inshallah. :) amin.
The following has nothing to do with the above blog (which is very true, wikipedia needs to be supported):
There is not a single day in my life that goes by without listening to your words of wisdom and light which affect me. I am, and many others I am sure, are forever in your debt, for all hard work, effort and sacrifices you have made for Allah (sbut). May He reward you infinitely in the life and the next. Amin.
I listened and viewed your lecture series online at the RIS Conference in Toronto. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to write a future blog on the concept/idea/notion (whatever one calls it) of “istidraaj”: when Allah (sbut) gives to His creation and they become lost in the giving.
You briefly spoke about this on Wednesday or Thursday night during the week of the RIS Retreat and I wish I had taken more notes.
Thank you for your time sir.
May Allah (sbut) infinitely protect, reward, guard and shower you, your family and the Zaytuna community with all His blessings inshallah. :)
jazak allah khairun.
was selam a lekum
hamid
Rabia Posted on 01/04/2012
I had an opportunity to listen to your speech on “The Critical Importance of Al-Ghazali in Our Times” incl. an introduction to the Fons Vitae Al-Ghazali Ihya Ulum Al-Din Series [Galt House, Louisville, Kentucky, November 3rd, 2011] on vimeo. I would like to thank you for touching our hearts with your words and explaining the relevance of Imam Al Ghazali’s work in the times in which we live. I look forward to the release of the Ihya Series. Our communities have benefited from your work and we are in a better place today due to your contribution. You remind us of the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), where we come from & where we are all ultimately headed. May God bless and elevate you & your entire family & draw you nearer to Him.
Rabia
Shabnam Z Posted on 01/03/2012
Thanks for letting us know, will donate.
Please visit DC again soon. I saw you last for the fundraising event in Reston, VA not too long ago (Summer of 2011). I just felt like the air in the room was a bit heavy. I am sure the brother who was helping Zaytuna to gain funds is a wonderful and pious person, not judging – God forbid. I just think that at such events and in general – the brothers or sisters that speak before you or another Imam should try to be a little bit more modest. I was a bit startled with a few things he did and said. Our religion is all about modesty, so it bothers me to see Muslims with a microphone/audience giving out energy that is harmful to the soul. I could totally be wrong and I feel bad in saying all this. May God forgive me.
Humility leads to goodness, I believe.
Please visit DC/VA soon. We respect and get so anxious when we know you’ll be visiting. May Allah protect you and your family. Amen.
Nouhair Posted on 01/01/2012
jazaka ALlahu khair for your sincere intentions. To the best of my knowledge Wikipedia is not accredited encyclopedia, in addition any one can edit and add things to articles. it’s not very accurate especially with regards to history. i always double check what i’m taking from their website. also as a translator i think they used to sell a software dictionaries and such.
Noam DePlume Posted on 01/02/2012
Nouhair, I checked on this and Wikipedia seems as accurate as many encyclopedias. Political history is always highly charged with differences of opinion, and I haven’t run into long term problems with the back and forth on some topics. Human knowledge often seems like consensus reality anyway. Is there a study that you base your opinions on?
Mohammad Posted on 12/31/2011
Just donated 5$! :)
Masoud Posted on 12/27/2011
Hello Mr. Yusuf. It is really a great article. We should help them to stay independent. But in Iran there is no credit card. Is there other ways of helping them. May I share this article in Facebook?
Munawar Posted on 12/26/2011
Asalamualaikum Shaykh Hamza,
You must take for granted, opinions like “donate to Wikipedia”. But for most of us, the concept of donating to a secular organization is incredibly confusing, and flies in the face of many things we are taught. Please continue to provide advice on the most commonest of topics. Because we vastly need the wisdom of the people of knowledge.
Many of the Ummah…possibly 99%, don’t have a local Imam that they can visit to answer questions about their day to day Islam. Possibly a blog topic for the future.
MA
Ihsan Qureshi Posted on 12/24/2011
Thank you Sheikh Hamza, thanks for the regular updates too :) Really appreciate your efforts, may Allah grant you a long and healthy life as I believe the world would not be the same without you! Wikipedia is definitely very accurate and the speed at which it is updated is unbelieveable! Salaam!
RC Posted on 12/22/2011
Just donated – thank you for sharing this info!
FSA Posted on 12/21/2011
Asalamualiqum,
Is there any way to know when do you come and have lectures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia particularly Riyadh. Please if you can email me your lecture schedule if you have any for this city, would appreciate it. I go to many dars and quran classes, but really find your lectures inspiring and full of depth. Hope you are what you seem to be anyway really proud of what you are dear Sheikh!!
steven zhou Posted on 12/21/2011
Great stuff! I was surprised since I’ve only heard Shaykh Hamza criticize–quite fairly–Wikipedia. You learn something new everyday!
I cannot believe that just 10-15 years ago, the internet wasn’t such a fixture in our lives. Now, not a single day passes by without at least a few hours on the internet for myself. I’m not the only one that feels slightly disconnected when I leave my email alone for a few days. What would the world be like if people peered into a dictionary everyday instead of ontp a screen? I have a 12 year old sister, and her school just bought 30 I-Pads, earphones, and other goodies for the students. I guess it’s just about impossible to “protect” our young people from this sort of thing anymore–unless we homeschool or something. It’s a dreadful addiction, in my opinion. There are silver linings though, and Wikipedia is part of that, even though it has serious flaws.
You can get so much from people on the internet whom you’ve nvr even met (like lectures). But I also think that the internet gives everyone a very strange and false sense of “connectedness”–like through forums and online “communities”. I see people becoming more atomized and alone with their laptops and I-pads, typing away in all their keyboard warrior glory–like I’m doing now!! The Jewish philosopher Hanna Arendt (along with others like Noam Chomsky) has warned against atomization, as a precursor of societies on the road to totalitarian.
On that note, I’m gonna go read a book or something!
sz
Sahar Rashad Posted on 12/20/2011
Thank you, and wish to see you in Egypt.
Ibn Rushd Posted on 12/20/2011
Great piece. Outward-looking. Love you.
khadija Posted on 12/19/2011
mashallah interesting information on wikipedia websit i have used the site on many occasions but never gave much thought on its funding streams – may allah bless you for reviving our beautiful deen in the most eliquent way.
Look forward to seeing you in the UK next time inshallah.
Amazigh Posted on 12/17/2011
Salaam Beloved Shaykh,
Thank you for your thoughts on this site. Many points stand out but here is what I really appreciated;
“The great Persian theologian, Fakhrudin al-Razi, said that discoveries are without enjoyment if they are not shared, and even a child, upon discovering something new, runs frantically to find someone to share it with. As adults, we love to share knowledge because we know, deep down, that it doesn’t belong to any individual but to everyone “.
Looking forward to seeing you in Canada this December, bring a warm hat or as we canucks say a “tuque”.
Safe Travels.
-Your Sister in Islam
rumana abbullah Posted on 12/16/2011
Jazakumullah khiran for sharing your insights, i use their services all the time, inshalah i will encourage friends and co-workers to donate.
wasalam
R A
rumana abbullah Posted on 12/16/2011
Mashallah jazakumllah khiran for the information. inshallah i will encourage friends and co workers to donate.
Emad Miraj Posted on 12/15/2011
Dear Brother Humza
thank you for your article that you wrote. Good bless you that you share what you have. make dowa for me.
your brother of Islam
Emaduddin Miraj
Manal Essa Posted on 12/15/2011
Asalm Alaykum.Thank you Shiek.Sobhan Allah,one of the wonders of Islam is persuasion of knowledge in all aspects of our life.As Muslims , we have to sense and act upon the beauty of Allah’s command to help any one who is in service of humanity regardless the (Someone’s religion or race) .May God bless all who donate for Wikipedia and bless every one who spend their life’s raising peace in nations.
MUTASSEM ALSULAIMAN Posted on 12/15/2011
THANK YOU FOR THE NICE ARTICLE … I would definitely donate since i know people like Sheik Hamza are Contributing ….
Imran Tufail Posted on 12/15/2011
Wonderful article, two things stand out;
1) “Wikipedia represents the lowest form of knowledge”
2) “As adults, we love to share knowledge”
Ahmad Mir Posted on 12/14/2011
Thank you Shaikh Hamza for your thoughts and continuous effort to strengthen our Ummah through intellectual thought and reflection. You have played a pivotal role in my own life and have propelled my passion to understand Islam at a deeper level. You are an inspiration to us all and may Allah (SWT) preserve your unwavering determination to speak the truth. Over the course of the trials and tribulations of this life, I have always seemed to return to listening to your lectures or reading your works. Hoping for a perspective or a spark of inspiration I did not have before to leap over the next hurdle. For this I am truly grateful. I thank Alllah (SWT) for allowing me to express my veneration of your works and efforts.
Jazakallah Khair
You are in my duas.
Ahmad
Mairaj Alam Posted on 12/14/2011
Sheikh, I had been thinking about donating to them for a while now. Infact I almost did it last week, but from one of your lectures on youtube I got an impression that you were not in favor of them. I got a sense that you implied there is lot of misinformation on the website and I decided not to make the donation, however I am glad you published this article. Wikipedia is indeed doing a great job and we all should support it.
May Allah bless you
Samra Posted on 12/14/2011
Thanks for sharing thoughtful articles with us… Professor have great knowledge and always shre useful stuff, is there any resource to ask questions with Professor?
Thanks
God Bless You
Shakeeb Posted on 12/14/2011
Assalamu Alaykum.
Thanks for highlighting Shaykh Hamza – certainly a worthy cause.
FYI – looks like the link you have given above is for recurring donations. For one time donations the following link can be used:
http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Fundraising
Wa’salam
abdurrahman Posted on 12/15/2011
Thank you ya sheikh! definitely enlightened me on this crucial issue.. especially on why we should be as ad-free as possible..
dear shakeeb,
obviously, there might be brothers and sisters who want to make single donations (so, thank you for your contribution for this matter), but maybe a recurring donation with small amounts may be more useful than a one-time donation with a bigger amount. at least it keeps us aware of the issue…
i guess sheikh had a point for giving the recurring donations link, hence the hadith “Khairul a’mal ila Allah adwamuha wa in qalla” (the best of actions for Allah is the perpatual one even if in small pieces)
salaam..
Anwar Posted on 12/14/2011
Thank you Shaikh Hamza for bringing our attention and your insights to this topic. You have convinced me to give to this effort.
It’s interesting what you say in the end. May god grant us understanding and wisdom.
Ja zakum Allah khairan (may God grant you goodness)
Wa baarakallahu fikum (and bless for and by you)
Wassalmu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (and may wholly peace, mercy and blessings be upon you)
-anwar
Amara Posted on 12/14/2011
Amazing and very inspiring!
I can’t wait to hear from you at RIS 2011 in Toronto!
Sara Naqwi Posted on 12/14/2011
Thank you so much for this article. It helps us spread the essential truth with ease thanks to your elegantly written thoughts.
Salam.
Tamseel Posted on 12/19/2011
On the one who said “shame on you” I think double shame on you as others whom you don’t like and who support Israel are doing more to benefit people and at the very least are active and what have you done besides throwing slurs at scholars without fully understanding their positions.