Human beings are the primary target of the Islamic project in terms of correcting beliefs, guiding behavior, refining morals, and improving lives. This can only be achieved by individuals themselves, necessitating a vision for managing both human and natural resources. It also requires establishing specializations with diverse and integrated specialists, bearing the significant responsibility of establishing religion and reforming worldly affairs.
The Islamic vision integrates both the Hereafter and this world. The world is merely a bridge for the Hereafter; hence, there is no distinction between sciences and specializations as long as the intention is sincerely for the sake of Allah. Mastering worldly sciences and acquiring the necessary skills leading to excellence is considered a type of religious obligation known as “Fard Kifayah” (collective duty). These duties, if fulfilled by some, absolve others, and they can become “Fard Ayn” (individual obligations) for those capable of undertaking them.
A limited view restricts Fard al-Kifayah to Salat al-Janaza (funeral prayer), but the concept is much broader. It encompasses the necessity for a group of Muslims to specialize in and master various sciences and skills to achieve sufficiency in these areas. This vision has been inherent in Islam since its early days. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would take Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) with him when visiting delegations of tribes who came for Hajj (pilgrimage). Abu Bakr’s distinguishing feature was his comprehensive knowledge of Arab genealogies, knowing the lineages of tribes better than those tribes themselves. He was an unparalleled expert in genealogy.
A group of Muslims must specialize in various sciences and skills, mastering them to achieve sufficiency.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) benefited from this merit when he instructed the great poet Hassan ibn Thabit to consult with Abu Bakr before composing satirical poems against the Quraysh tribe. As recorded in Sahih Muslim, he said, “Don't be hasty; (let) Abu Bakr who has the best knowledge of the lineage of the Quraish draw a distinction for you in regard to my lineage, as my lineage is the same as theirs.”
The books of Sirah show that specialization was known among the Companions. Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was the most knowledgeable about the market, trade, and economics. He used to say, “Whoever wants to consult about wealth, let him come to me. Allah has made me a treasurer and distributor.” Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was the most knowledgeable about jurisprudence; Zayd ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) was the scribe of revelation and proficient in Syriac. Ubayy ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) was the most knowledgeable in Quran recitation; Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) was the most knowledgeable about the Halal (permissible) and the Haram (impermissible); and Khalid ibn al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) was the most knowledgeable about military affairs.
We highlight here an important aspect of the early Companions' respect for specialization and the importance of benefiting from the masters in their fields. Caliph Abu Bakr As-Siddiq wrote to Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah during the conquests of Syria, assigning the leadership of the army to Khalid ibn al-Walid despite Abu Ubaidah's earlier conversion to Islam. The letter stated, “I have assigned Khalid as the commander of the army sent to Syria. Do not oppose him; listen to him and obey him, as I have appointed him over you. I am fully aware that you are better and possess a higher rank than him; however, I feel that he is more skilled in the art of warfare than you. May Allah keep us both on the right path.”
Islamic jurists and thinkers have discussed the necessity of specialization and achieving sufficiency for the Muslim community in various fields. Imam Al-Qurtubi, in his Tafsir, considers agriculture one of the Fard Kifayah, and he obliges the ruler to compel people to engage in it to achieve sufficiency. He says, “Agriculture is one of the Fard Kifayah, and the Imam must compel people to engage in it and whatever is similar, like planting trees.” This indicates the necessity of effective management of human and natural resources to invest and develop them for sufficiency.
The notable Shafi'i scholar Badr ad-Din Muhammad al-Zarkashi viewed the classifications of books as a Fard Kifayah, necessitating that some people must specialize in authoring. He states, “Writing books is for those who have been granted by Allah understanding and insight. This Ummah, despite its short lifespans, will continue to increase and advance in talents, and knowledge should not be withheld. If writing was abandoned, knowledge would be lost.” Thus, Al-Jahiz said, “The pen leaves a more lasting mark.”
Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, in his book “The Revival of Religious Sciences,” emphasized the importance of specialization in various industries and trades. In the chapter “The Etiquette of Earning and Living,” he says, “One should aim in his craft or trade to fulfill the Fard Kifayah. If industries and trades were abandoned, livelihoods would cease to exist, and most people would perish. Everyone’s order will only be maintained by their cooperation, with each group undertaking a task. If everyone pursued a single craft, the rest would be neglected, and the people would perish.”
Accordingly, some people interpreted the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him), “The difference among my Ummah is a mercy,” as the difference in their pursuits in various crafts and professions.
Meticulous specialized research contributes to scientific breakthroughs, with 64 million studies published since 1996.
Sayyid Qutb, in his 1952 book “The Battle Between Islam and Capitalism,” emphasized the deepening of expertise and the utilization of resources as fundamental to Islam. This is because the practical application of Islam, like its theoretical principles, only recognizes individual sufficiency. He stated, “Islam demands every individual to work so as to be rewarded for it. There is no wage without effort, and there is no reward without work. Prayers and supplications are personal acts of worship and not social work.”
In his book “Joys of the Soul,” Qutb further elaborated, “We are in dire need of specialists in every branch of human knowledge, those who turn their laboratories and offices into sanctuaries and monasteries, dedicating their lives to their chosen field not out of a sense of sacrifice alone, but out of a sense of pleasure as well, the joy of a worshiper who offers his soul to his Lord gladly.”
Sheikh Mohammed Al-Ghazali, in his book “The Emotional Side of Islam,” states, “A pharmacist's profession or a printer's profession are obligations upon the Islamic society, just like prayer and fasting. The only difference is that no one neglects to perform prayer and fasting, whereas for the Fard Kifayah actions, those suited for them are the ones chosen to perform them. Excellence is not about perfecting one part of worship and neglecting others that may be more crucial and significant. True excellence is performing both individual and collective obligations, addressing both the worldly and the Hereafter matters. It means infusing human life with divine truths and bestowing heavenly qualities on earthly affairs. It involves elevating every task by Allah’s dhikr (remembrance), rather than fleeing from work under the pretext of worshipping Allah in seclusion.”
Specialization is A Path to Advancement
Globally, more than 2.5 million specialized scientific articles and studies are published annually, with China accounting for 21% of them. This underscores the fact that precise research specialization contributes to significant scientific breakthroughs. Statistics indicate that approximately 64 million specialized scientific studies have been published since 1996. Additionally, there are an estimated 46,736 specialized academic journals, with English accounting for 75% of them. In the UK, there are 5,856 journals; in the USA, 5,712; in Iran, 223; and in Turkey, 209. This indicates that the proportion of Muslim contributions in these journals is very insignificant.
Studies highlight the crucial role of specialized journals in the prosperity of medicine, with the most groundbreaking medical research being published in these journals. Consequently, the number of medical journals has increased to 28,000, publishing 1.8 million studies annually.
Therefore, specialization is closely linked to achievement, creativity, and precision, relating directly to the concept of labor division. With specialization, work is divided so that each individual assumes a specific responsibility, deepening their expertise. This approach saves time, effort, and resources, enabling the development of what educationists call mastery, a harmony between innate nature and scientific and experiential training, leading to maturity and innovation. As the late Nobel Prize-winning Dr. Ahmed Zewail emphasized, specialization is the foundation of excellence in the age of science.
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