The Economic Times | May 20, 2025

The universe of knowledge and wisdom is so vast that any single mind cannot encompass it. The only thing that can help you gain more and more knowledge is the spirit mentioned in Quran. Knowledge is like a great ocean: faced with immensity, no one can be self-sufficient. The process of seeking knowledge must be a mutual venture, in which everyone gains something from everyone else. Everyone plays both roles.

There are several ways of acquiring knowledge, one of which is through discussion or dialogue. Discussion or dialogue is not just a debating practice but an intellectual exchange. To be fruitful, discussion requires objectivity and must be carried on in the questioning spirit of give and take.

Books are a great source of knowledge. But the study of books is not simply reading. It establishes contact and consults with other thinkers and scholars. It is like a global discussion if the reader has the true spirit and can acquire knowledge from universal sources. The library is the place for this, for it is like a global conference room. A library allows you to reach all the world's minds.

The learning process is a must for everyone and applies to both men and women. The old man is just as much in need of it as the young man. Even great scholars are no exception in this regard. One scholar has rightly said, 'Live with the spirit of learning and die with the spirit of learning.' Learning is a lifelong process. It   has a beginning, but no end.