And He says:

“Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah al-Mā’idah 5:98)

And He says:

“Do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts?” (Surah Muhammad 47:24)

And He says:

“Have they not considered the dominion of the heavens and the earth and everything Allah has created?” (Surah al-Aʿrāf 7:185)

And He says:

“So take heed, O people of insight.” (Surah al-Hashr 59:2)

This occurs frequently in the Quran: it commands and praises reflection, contemplation, remembrance, consideration, drawing lessons, understanding, knowledge, reason, hearing, sight, speech, and other forms of knowledge, its means, and its perfection; and it condemns their opposites.

Section

If, then, it is clear that the absence of reason and understanding is never praiseworthy under Islamic law, but rather that knowledge and reason are praised and enjoined, either as an obligation or as a recommendation, there is nevertheless some knowledge that a person is not commanded to acquire, whether as a member of a class or as a particular individual—either because it offers him no benefit, since it keeps him from what does benefit him. He may even be forbidden to acquire it if it