Similarities Between Fish & Students of Knowledge

Compiled by Mohammad Ali Mustafa (4th Year ʿĀlim Student, DarusSalam Seminary)

When Allāh sent Mūsā to Khiḍr, Mūsā was on a quest for knowledge. Allāh told him that a fish will indicate when he has reached his destination.

A question arises here, which is: “Why a fish?” Why have something that is, in many ways, small and feeble be a cornerstone for the great Mūsā’s momentous journey? Why not a mighty lion or a stronger and more courageous animal?

Muftī Rada ul-Haqq elucidated a reason for this by providing several similarities between a student of knowledge and a fish:

(1) In the Qurʾān, Allāh says:

وجعلنا من الماء كل شيء حي

“And We have made every living being from water.”[1]

A fish is immersed in water, which is an essential component of life for living organisms. Water sustains its physical being. Likewise, a student of knowledge is immersed in ʿilm, and this is the “water” that sustains his spiritual being.

(2) Like an ocean, ʿilm is vast and expansive.

(3) If a fish is removed from water, it will die. Similarly, if a student of knowledge is removed from the environment of the masjid or seminary, he feels like a fish out of water.

(4) Compared to other kinds of meat, fish is soft. Likewise, the nature of a student of the sacred sciences must be soft, gentle, and polite. One’s interaction with people must be friendly, welcoming, and inviting. However, one cannot bite into a whole fish, or else he will bite into its bones. So, at times, a student must be strict and firm, especially regarding his principles and values.

(5) A fish rarely sleeps, and this should be a student’s condition. His nights must be spent in study and worship.

(6) When one catches a fish, he cannot eat it right away. He must first clean it, cook it, and season it. Similarly, a student of knowledge must “clean” himself from sins and bad character; then, he must cook himself by spending time with the ʿulamāʾ and mashāyikh. And he must season himself by adhering to the Prophet’s noble sunnah. Thereafter, he is like a fish that is prepared as a delicacy.

(7) When a fish is out of water, it splashes water everywhere and wets what is around it. Similarly, a student of knowledge must “wet” those around him with his knowledge and good character.

(8) Fish have a distinct smell. And when cooked, they leave a strong odor. Likewise, a student of knowledge must have an aura where he goes.

(9) The ocean is a dangerous place, and to protect themselves, fish often swim in schools. Students of knowledge must stay together and remain connected in order to gain strength from one another.

[1] Q, 30:16.