Title: The Narrative regarding ‘Search for Knowledge’ Question: There is a very famous Hadith "Search for knowledge even if you have to go to China". Can you please explain the exact meaning of the above cited Hadith to me? Does it put an emphasis on the significance of knowledge only or it also shows that the knowledge of world is equally important in comparison with the knowledge of religion? Because the knowledge that would have been imparted in China to the people at the times of Holy Prophet(PBUH) was certainly not related with the religion of Islam. Regards, Farooq Ahmed Answer: Even though the point that you have derived from the referred narrative is quite valid, yet the fact is that most of the scholars of Hadith have not recognized the referred narrative to be accurate or even remotely reliable. The point that you have derived, however, is clearly one that the Qur'an itself has promoted and recommended. Knowledge and expertise in all fields is a clear requirement for a strong and stable Muslim collectivity and, therefore, it is essential that there should not only be experts of religion among the Muslims, who guide the collectivity to the path of spiritual strength, but also those, who are experts in business, trade, commerce, industry, defense and all the necessary fields, who guide the collectivity to the path of physical and financial strength. Both aspects of the collectivity are equally important. None of these aspects should be allowed to override the other. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad November 2, 2001