As a reminder it was said that according to the holy Qur’an purification of the soul and heart precedes scientific education; for, if a purified and spiritually trained person acquires knowledge he will use it in the service of mankind while knowledge without self-purification will be used against mankind.

The Messenger of mercy, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) says about the importance of knowledge accompanied with faith, “He who learns knowledge for the sake of God won’t reach any chapter of it unless he will see himself ever pettier, becomes humbler before people, fears God more and becomes more diligent in religion. Such a person will benefit from knowledge. So, he should learn it. But the one who learns knowledge for the sake of the world and gaining position among people and rank by a king or ruler he will reach no chapter of it unless he will be more supercilious and more disdainful toward people, he will be more negligent of God and will be distanced from religion. Such a person will not benefit from knowledge. So, he should avoid it and not provide proof, regret and shame against himself on the Day of Resurrection.”

This time we will focus on the status of knowledge and acquisition of knowledge in the view of Ayatollah Khamenei as follows:
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said, “Knowledge is the basis of all-out progress in a country. Once I read this hadith from Imam Ali (AS), ‘Knowledge is a power; he who finds it will assault at it and he who loses it will be assaulted.’ This hadith says that knowledge is the source of might for a nation and an individual. He who attains this power will have the upper hand and he who cannot attain the scientific power will remain subordinate and others will have the upper hand over him. The global arrogant, thanks to the scientific blessing they have achieved, have been able to bully the entire world. Of course, we will never bully but knowledge is surely necessary for us as progress.”

Ayatollah Khamenei encourages the youths to acquire knowledge and describes youth as the best period for acquiring knowledge. He remarks, “Dear youths! Look, the scientific work is of paramount importance. It means if we want dignity, reputation, welfare, global might and scientific advancements for a country we have to begin through knowledge. I don’t say that knowledge is enough for the happiness of a society. We see the countries which have knowledge but they are not truly happy and are gripped by ample problems. Certainly, knowledge is not only a necessary condition but a very important necessary condition and it should be advanced in the country. Therefore, the importance of knowledge is clear. If a country has not made progress scientifically neither his economy will improve, nor its global power will improve, nor will the lives of people be upgraded.”
As Iran had been the cradle of great men in every domain of knowledge and had hoisted the flag of knowledge and thinking for centuries, the leader believes that there are a lot of bright talents in the country and asks the youths to learn various sciences to enhance the state of the country.

One of the despotic events of the past couple of centuries has been the scientific monopoly. Some of the countries used scientific and technological breakthroughs as a tool to quench their thirst for power and oppress weak nations. The leader says, in this regard, “One of the greatest crimes committed against mankind was that during the industrial revolution knowledge turned into a tool for bullying. The British, as the forerunners of the industrial revolution, exploited this ability to go around the world and shackle the nations. Do you know what happened during the rule of the British over the subcontinent in this great and rich arena? It was not just the subcontinent. The whole of East Asia for long years (over a century) was under their boots and they dominated over the people with the knowledge they had. What a big number of people were destroyed; what aspirations were annihilated; what nations fell behind; what countries were devastated!!!! They made such a use of knowledge. This is the biggest betrayal of knowledge; just as it is the biggest betrayal of mankind.”

Ayatollah Khamenei maintains that the domineering Western powers are determined not to let the breakup of this scientific monopoly. But the Islamic Iran has marched on the path of the scientific course and has dealt blows to this monopoly via gaining spectacular scientific achievements.

Scientific struggle is required to break this scientific monopoly. The Islamic nations are expected to make more efforts.
According to the ayahs of the holy Qur’an and the Islamic teachings Muslim nations should resolutely tread the path of acquisition of knowledge and contemplation. The brilliant ayahs of the holy Qur’an clearly stress that those who think are not comparable to those who don’t think. Thinkers are usually in quest of better understanding.

Alas! Most of the Islamic countries have no scientific concern and are engaged in infighting. Expressing deep sadness over the issue, the leader of the Islamic revolution says, “The Islamic countries must make progress in knowledge and technology. I said that the West and the United States managed to dominate over the world countries; knowledge was one of their tools. They obtained wealth via knowledge. Of course, a little bit of wealth was obtained through deceit, mischief and policy; but knowledge was effective. You should gain knowledge. Once you gain knowledge you will have a strong hand. If you have no knowledge those who have strong hand will twist your hand. Encourage your youths toward knowledge. This is possible. We did this in Iran. Before the revolution we were at the last rear scientific ranks of the world which would not attract any attention. But today, thanks to the blessings of the revolution, Islam and sharia, the observers said and publicized in the world that Iran ranks the 16th with regard to science.”        
RM/ME