By uprooting this arrogance, accepting the fact that we do not know all we need to know, and accepting the fact that others might be more knowledgeable than us, we now have a duty to ourselves to act on these facts. Our primary duty is to develop ourselves. This self-development can come through traditional means of instruction such as attending courses/seminars, or using audio-visual instructional material (e.g., books, multimedia, in addition to tools that enhance learning and application, like podcasts, online courses, webinars, interactive e-learning platforms, and social media content). These means, however, provide only a partial description of what we are trying to learn. They provide us with the theory, and its application in specific, and isolated cases or scenarios. They do not truly show us how to apply and employ this knowledge in our daily lives and in various situations. To relate the needed knowledge to our lives, and to make it relevant to our needs, we need to experience it first-hand, and see it demonstrated in front of us. In other words, we need to see a living example of this knowledge and learn from it. This more powerful, effective, and relevant means of transferring knowledge from one individual to another is through the process of Iq’tida.
E.g., from traditional books to cutting-edge digital technologies, the landscape of education has evolved dramatically. Today, learners have access to a vast array of resources, including podcasts, online video tutorials (such as YouTube and Coursera), and interactive online learning platforms. The advent of virtual and augmented reality, enabled by devices like VR headsets and smartphone apps, has revolutionized the learning experience, offering immersive and engaging content. Moreover, social media, online conferences, webinars, blogs, articles, and educational games contribute to a rich and diverse learning ecosystem.
Iq’tida means to seek out, interact with, and learn from those who are more knowledgeable than us, and are willing to share their knowledge with us. These individuals should become our Qudwa, or role model, from which we learn the specific knowledge we need. Thus, Tawado helps break the barriers our arrogance puts up against learning from others, and Iq’tida instills in us the values by which we can actually learn from others.
Iq’tida can be practiced through one of three possible methods. First, there is the formal process by which an individual with the requisite knowledge and experience is identified and designated, by the organization, as our mentor, or Qudwa. The second, and more common, method is to learn directly from those who are more experienced and knowledgeable than us, and with whom we have continuous on-the-job contact, our line managers. The third method is when we recognize the required expertise or knowledge in an individual who is neither our line manager nor official mentor, and we approach that individual to ask to learn from him. Regardless of the type of Iq’tida we find ourselves in, as SEMARTI members with Tawado, it is up to us to take advantage of these conditions to better ourselves.
To maximize the benefits of Iq’tida, we need to exhibit certain behaviors and undertake certain actions. First, we need to actively interact with our mentors/managers to discuss and challenge issues. The purpose of this discussion is to clarify issues and learn; it is not discussion for discussion’s sake. Being a process of learning, Iq’tida then stipulates that we need to actively support, and propagate the advice and guidance of our mentors/managers. We need to exhibit a keen interest in and appreciation for the knowledge being gained. At this point, it should be clarified that the support and propagation we are exhibiting is not done for the pleasure or satisfaction of our Qudwa. The reason we do this is because one of the most effective means of entrenching recently acquired knowledge is to actually use it and communicate it to others. Thus, by supporting and propagating knowledge, we are actually enhancing our ability to absorb it.
Iq’tida further stipulates that we need to be honest with our mentors/managers/colleagues by providing them with relevant, timely, and accurate feedback on what we are learning from them. We need to openly discuss with them the problems we are facing and not hide from them facts that might hinder the learning process. We need to ask questions when we are not sure and speak up when we do not understand. Iq’tida also requires that we seek out those individuals who are most knowledgeable so that we might learn from them. Last, but definitely not least, Iq’tida requires that we seek feedback.
Ultimately, Iq’tida is about having the right attitude and demeanor towards knowledge and its acquisition from any available source.