Four Sciences That Students Must Learn According to KH Hasyim Asyari

Hadratusyeikh KH Hasyim Asyari, in his book Adab al-Alim wa al-Mutaalim, wrote that there are several subjects which are fardhu ain, or obligatory, for students to learn. These are four branches of knowledge, which include:

• The Science of Tauhid

Students must know the science of tauhid, the study of divinity, so that they will believe that Allah SWT exists, is qadim (eternal), will always exist forever, is free from all deficiencies, and possesses all perfect attributes.

• The Attributes of Allah

Students must know the attributes of Allah, that Allah has twenty attributes. In this regard, it is sufficient for a student to know that the Most High has power (qudrat), will (iradat), knowledge (al-‘ilm), life (hayat), hearing (sama’), sight (bashar), and speech (kalam). In its development, if a student can understand the arguments for Allah’s attributes beyond what is explained by the Qur’an or the Sunnah, then that is more perfect.

• The Science of Fiqh

Fiqh is the science to know and lead to obedience to Allah, such as the procedures for purification, prayer, and fasting. If a student has abundant wealth, then he must study the knowledge related to that wealth. He must not practice a knowledge before he understands the laws of Allah.

• The Science of Tasawuf

This is the science that explains various states, stations, and levels, and discusses the temptations and deceptions of the ego and matters related to it.

According to KH Hasyim Asyari, Imam Al Ghazali has discussed these matters comprehensively in his book: Bidayat al-Hidayah. Likewise, Sayyid Abdullah bin Thahir in the book Sullam at Taufiq.

KH Hasyim Asyari, the founder of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School and the founder of Nahdlatul Ulama, wrote that after studying the fardhu ain sciences mentioned above, a student should continue by studying the sciences related to the Book of Allah. Thus, he will have strong belief and conviction.

Students must be serious in understanding the interpretation of the Qur’an and other sciences. Because the Qur’an is the source of all knowledge on the face of the earth and is the mother and the most important of all sciences.

After this, students should memorise every subject, a summary (ikhtisar) compiled from various sciences. Namely, hadith, fiqh, ushul fiqh, nahwu, and sharaf.