‘ÂLIM - عَالِم

Etymology: Derived from the Arabic root ‘-l-m (ع-ل-م), which fundamentally denotes to know, to perceive, to discern, or to mark/signify. It shares its linguistic origin with the word ‘ilm, ‘âlam and ‘alâmah (a sign or mark).

Literal meaning: Learned; knowledgeable; erudite; possessing knowledge (‘ilm).

As an Islamic Term: Far from being a mere accumulator of physical information or an academician, an ‘âlim — as illustrated in the Twelfth Word — is a true student of the Qur’an. He is a righteous ‘abd who reads the universe like a sacred book, decoding the âyahs manifested throughout the universe. By upholding the principle of istiğnâ and not exploiting sacred knowledge for worldly gain, he ensures that his knowledge is embodied through righteous action. His ultimate pursuit is ma‘rifatullah and the pleasure of Allah (ridâ). He transforms intellectual comprehension into ikhlas and taqwâ, serving as an instrument to awaken society from ghaflah through the dissemination of the haqiqahs of the Qur’an both by his exemplary life and his teachings, thereby serving the ummah as a true inheritor of the Prophet (asm).

(For further explanation, please refer to the Twelfth Word.)