Principle 15 — Humility in Learning

Abdullah ibn Masud, one of the companions of the Prophet of Islam, said, “When you do not know anything, say that God knows best.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 4822) This principle can be called “humility in learning”, which is essential for intellectual progress.

There is a proverb in Arabic: (la adri nisf ul ilm), “I don’t know is half-knowledge.” To say, “I don’t know” is not a simple matter. It is to be aware of your ignorance. In such a person a spirit of inquiry awakens which eventually leads him to knowledge. When a man does not know something, he must admit this fact. The confession of not knowing is also as important as knowing. Without this attitude, no man can progress intellectually.