Over the years, especially while coaching teenagers, I have noticed a pattern. Many of them question the importance of studying. Some rebel against it openly. Others disengage quietly. Their question is simple: Why does studying even matter? They look around and see people in powerful positions who do not always appear educated, articulate, or technically competent. And so they wonder — if power is possible without knowledge, why should I struggle to learn?
Whenever this question comes up, I ask them one thing: Why does the first revelation in the Qur’an begin with “Read”?
It does not begin with “Lead.”
It does not begin with “Earn.”
It does not begin with “Control.”
It begins with “Iqra” — Read.
That is not accidental. It is foundational.
The Meaning of “Read” in a Noisy World
When Allah commands “Read,” it is not merely about literacy. It is about awareness. It is about expanding the mind. It is about seeking understanding beyond instinct and impulse.
The subjects children learn in school may seem basic, but they are not meaningless. Science teaches you how your own body functions, how the world operates, how cause and effect work. Mathematics disciplines the mind to think logically and measure reality. Language, whether English or any other, allows you to communicate beyond your immediate environment and access global knowledge. Education is not just about exams; it is about sharpening perception.
Knowledge refines instinct.
Without knowledge, human beings operate primarily on impulse. And if we are honest, human instinct alone can be cunning, territorial, and politically manipulative. When knowledge is absent, power easily becomes ego-driven. Authority becomes about control rather than responsibility.
Many young people are disillusioned because they see individuals in high positions who lack depth of understanding. They see leadership without expertise. They see decisions being made without consultation with technical professionals. They observe that sometimes those who are good at navigating politics rise faster than those who are truly competent.
This creates confusion. It creates frustration. It can even create rebellion.
What I Have Observed in Training Rooms
As someone who works closely with organizations and leaders, I have witnessed something significant. The real demotivation of staff often does not come from workload. It does not come from lack of salary alone. It frequently comes from top management lacking subject knowledge and failing to listen to technical experts.
When leaders do not understand the domain they oversee, or when they dismiss those who do, frustration grows silently within teams. Expertise feels undervalued. Competence feels ignored. Over time, motivation declines.
However, strong leadership is not about knowing everything. No leader can master every field. But wise leaders understand the limits of their knowledge. They hire experts. They consult specialists. They build systems that respect competence. This is how sustainable success is built.
There are also leaders who rise not purely because of technical knowledge, but because of high emotional intelligence. They may not know every detail, but they know how to listen, how to regulate their ego, and how to create space for others to contribute. Emotional intelligence itself is a form of knowledge — knowledge of people, dynamics, and self.
Knowledge is not one-dimensional. It includes intellectual depth, technical expertise, and emotional awareness.
The Story of Sulaiman (AS): When Knowledge Outpaced Strength
This brings me to one of the most powerful illustrations in the Qur’an — the story of Prophet Sulaiman (AS) and the throne of the Queen of Sheba.
When Sulaiman (AS) asked who could bring the throne before the queen arrived, a powerful jinn stepped forward and offered to bring it before he could rise from his seat. That was strength speaking. Impressive strength.
But then the Qur’an says in Surah An-Naml (27:40) that “the one who had knowledge from the Book” said he could bring it before the blink of an eye. And it was done.
In that moment, the Qur’an highlights something subtle but profound. In a court filled with power — with jinn, authority, and dominion — the one identified and honored is not the strongest, but the one “who had knowledge.”
Strength proposed. Knowledge delivered. This is not just a historical story. It is a principle. Knowledge shortens distance. Knowledge accelerates results. Knowledge multiplies impact.
And Sulaiman (AS), despite being a king with extraordinary authority, immediately attributed it to the grace of Allah. Even the greatest leader recognized that knowledge itself is a gift.
A Personal Reflection: Why I Keep Asking That Question
When I ask teenagers why the Qur’an begins with “Read,” I am not trying to lecture them. I am trying to awaken them.
Yes, you may see people in power who lack formal education. Yes, you may see political maneuvering. Yes, you may see influence without depth. But temporary authority and lasting impact are not the same thing.
Positions can be given. Titles can be assigned. But wisdom must be developed.
The world may sometimes reward loudness. But it is sustained by competence.
If you truly observe those who create meaningful change — in science, governance, business, education — you will find one constant: they value knowledge. They seek it. They refine it. They respect it in others.
And if you are not strong in a particular area, then the intelligent move is not to pretend — it is to collaborate. Hire experts. Listen to them. Build systems that honor knowledge. That is not weakness. That is maturity.
From Awareness to Action
To the young person questioning the value of studying, I say this: do not confuse visibility with capability. Not everyone in a visible position represents the highest standard of excellence. But that does not reduce the value of knowledge.
To the leader reading this, I say: if you want loyalty, respect expertise. If you want innovation, empower those who know more than you in their domain. If you want long-term success, build a culture where learning is continuous.
The Qur’an did not begin with power. It began with “Read.” And in the court of Sulaiman (AS), it was not brute force that stunned the audience. It was knowledge.
In a world obsessed with status, the deeper question remains: are we investing in position, or are we investing in understanding?
Because when strength stands tall, it may impress. But when knowledge moves, it transforms.
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