Introduction
Among all the virtues that adorn the human soul, will (ʿazm / iradah) and knowledge (ʿilm) stand as the two greatest foundations upon which all other noble qualities rest. Knowledge illuminates the path of truth, while will provides the strength to walk it. Without knowledge, the will is blind; and without will, knowledge remains sterile and fruitless. Hence, the most perfect human beings—prophets, scholars, and reformers—were those in whom these two qualities reached their highest form.
The Qur’an and Sunnah repeatedly emphasise these two virtues as the essence of human perfection, guidance, and leadership. In Islamic scholarship, they are considered the twin lights that shape both the intellect and the soul, guiding human beings toward Allah, righteousness, and societal benefit.
1. The Nature and Importance of Knowledge (ʿIlm)
Knowledge is the first command revealed in the Qur’an and the first step toward any form of success—spiritual, moral, or worldly. Allah says:
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ
“Read in the name of your Lord who created.”
(Surah al-ʿAlaq 96:1)
This divine command shows that knowledge is not merely intellectual curiosity but a sacred pursuit that connects creation with the Creator. True knowledge (ʿilm nafiʿ) cultivates humility, fear of Allah, and moral refinement. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ
“Only those who have knowledge among His servants fear Allah.”
(Surah Fatir 35:28)
According to Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله), the human soul’s perfection depends on two things: knowledge of the truth and will to follow it. Knowledge without will becomes hypocrisy or arrogance; will without knowledge becomes misguidance. Therefore, knowledge serves as the light that distinguishes truth from falsehood, good from evil, and wisdom from ignorance.
In the words of Imam al-Ghazali, “Knowledge is the root of all good, and ignorance is the root of all evil.” Without knowledge, faith becomes superstition, action becomes chaos, and intention becomes lost. Every act of worship, leadership, or reform must begin with correct understanding, for as the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever Allah intends good for, He gives him understanding of the religion.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 71; Sahih Muslim, 1037)
Thus, knowledge is not an optional virtue but a divine gift that defines one’s rank before Allah and one’s usefulness to humanity.
2. The Nature and Importance of Will (ʿAzm / Determination)
If knowledge shows the way, will (ʿazm) gives one the strength to walk upon it. The Qur’an praises those who combine understanding with firm determination, describing the Prophets as “ulu al-ʿazm”—those of firm resolve:
فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ
“So be patient as were those of determination among the messengers.”
(Surah al-Ahqaf 46:35)
Will is the force of the heart that resists laziness, doubt, and despair. It transforms potential into achievement and knowledge into action. Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) explained that the perfection of the human being lies in “a sound knowledge that perceives the truth and a strong will that follows it.”
Determination is not mere stubbornness but a disciplined spiritual power rooted in sincerity and reliance upon Allah (tawakkul). The Qur’an repeatedly encourages this strength of will:
فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ
“And when you have made a decision, then rely upon Allah.”
(Surah Al ʿImran 3:159)
A person of will does not surrender to failure or fear. He or she continues striving even when others give up. The Prophet ﷺ, despite persecution and exile, never wavered in his mission. His will was unshaken, for he was driven by divine purpose.
Ibn al-Jawzi noted, “The greatest barrier to success is weak determination, and the greatest key to it is perseverance.”
3. The Harmony of Knowledge and Will
Knowledge and will are interdependent. Knowledge without will is like a tree without fruit, and will without knowledge is like a traveller without direction. The Qur’an beautifully unites both qualities in describing those who attain success:
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا
“Those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our paths.”
(Surah al-ʿAnkabut 29:69)
This verse implies that knowledge (guidance) comes as a result of will (striving). Similarly, one cannot act upon knowledge without determination.
Ibn al-Qayyim wrote in Madarij as-Salikeen that the entire journey of servitude to Allah is built upon two principles:
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Clarity of knowledge of what is truth and what is falsehood.
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Strong will to prefer truth over falsehood and act upon it.
He further added that the weakness of either results in misguidance or sin. Many know what is right but fail to do it because of weak will; others act passionately without knowledge and fall into error. The perfection of the believer lies in balancing both.
4. The Prophetic Model
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ exemplified the union of knowledge and will more than anyone else. He possessed the highest form of divine knowledge and the most unbreakable will. His mission demanded endurance, strategy, and sacrifice, yet his knowledge guided his actions with wisdom and balance.
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When persecuted in Makkah, his will remained firm, saying:
“By Allah, if they were to place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, I would not abandon this mission until Allah makes it prevail or I perish in the attempt.”
(Ibn Hisham, Seerah
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His knowledge directed his will; he did not rush victory but trusted Allah’s timing, teaching the Ummah that success comes through patience, knowledge, and resolve.
5. The Scholar’s Perspective
Classical scholars viewed knowledge and will as the foundation of moral and spiritual excellence.
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Ibn Taymiyyah said, “The completion of the soul lies in knowledge of truth and love of it; for love drives will, and knowledge directs it.”
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Al-Ghazali in Ihyaʾ ʿUlum al-Deen explained that the heart has two powers: the power of discernment (knowledge) and the power of drive (will). When both are perfected, the human being becomes a reflection of divine guidance.
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Ibn al-Qayyim compared them to eyesight and movement: “Without sight, movement is dangerous; without movement, sight is useless.”
Thus, the best person is not merely learned nor merely determined, but one whose knowledge leads to righteous will, and whose will drives him to live by what he knows.
6. Application in Modern Life
In our time, knowledge is abundant but willpower is scarce. Information is everywhere, yet discipline, sincerity, and moral action are rare. The believer must not only know but also do — for success in religion, study, daʿwah, or worldly matters depends on these two virtues.
A student of knowledge without perseverance will never reach mastery; an activist without understanding will cause harm despite good intentions. Hence, Muslim educators emphasise ʿilm with ʿamal (knowledge with action) and sabr (patience) — all of which spring from a strong will.
Conclusion
Will and knowledge are the noblest of human qualities — one enlightens the mind, the other empowers the soul. Together, they form the essence of human virtue and the secret of success in both worlds. Knowledge without will leads to arrogance or inaction; will without knowledge leads to misguidance. But when the two unite, they produce wisdom (hikmah), steadfastness (thabat), and success (falah).
As the Qur’an teaches:
وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا — “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (20:114)
فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ — “When you have resolved, then rely upon Allah.” (3:159)
Thus, the seeker’s prayer should always be: “O Allah, grant me beneficial knowledge and the determination to act upon it.”
For these two — knowledge and will — are indeed the best treasures a person can ever possess.
1. Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) — Adapted from Madarij as-Salikeen
بِالْعِلْمِ يَهْتَدِي الْعَبْدُ فِي سَبِيلِ رَبِّهِ،
وَبِالْعَزْمِ يَسِيرُ عَلَى الطَّرِيقِ إِلَيْهِ.
“By knowledge, the servant is guided upon his Lord’s path;
By will, he walks firmly upon it.”
Meaning: Knowledge lights the road of truth, but determination keeps the traveller moving until he reaches Allah.
2. Imam al-Shafiʿi (رحمه الله)
He said in his famous verses on the path to knowledge:
أخي لن تنالَ العلمَ إلا بستّةٍ
سأنبيكَ عن تفصيلِها ببيانِ
ذكاءٌ وحرصٌ واصطبارٌ وبلغةٌ
وإرشادُ أستاذٍ وطولُ زمانِ
“My brother, you will never attain knowledge except through six things:
Intelligence, eagerness, patience, provision, guidance of a teacher, and long time.”
Implication: Among these six, hirs (strong desire/will) and sabr (determined perseverance) are essential companions of knowledge.
3. Al-Mutanabbi (the-poet)
Though not a jurist, his verses were often cited by scholars for their wisdom on willpower:
على قدرِ أهلِ العزمِ تأتي العزائمُ
وتأتي على قدرِ الكرامِ المكارمُ
“Great resolutions come in proportion to great souls;
And noble deeds are measured by the nobility of their doers.”
Meaning: Determination elevates a person to greatness—without it, even knowledge remains unfulfilled.
4. Adapted from Ibn al-Jawzi (رحمه الله), Sayd al-Khatir
“Knowledge without will is like a lamp in the hands of the lazy—its light benefits others while he sits in darkness.”
Meaning: Will is the soul of knowledge; it turns light into life.
5. A Modern Poetic Reflection.
Knowledge is light, but will is flame,
One shows the truth, the other its aim.
The mind discovers, the heart pursues—
Together they craft what the soul must choose.
Meaning: The harmony between knowing and striving is the perfection of human purpose.
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