disclaimer: this is passage from an amazing book ( trying to be a muslim ) I love love this book and please buy this book from kinokunia. It's cheap btw!

I often marvel at how some people who profess to be very knowledgeable in matters of our religion can be severely lacking when it comes to putting it into practice. How could one who excels in theory, fail in miserably in practical. I am believer of the saying ' Practice what You preach'. Then, my wise man unraveled the mystery behind it, He said:

Whilst certain people posses vast knowledge, they lack the understanding but there are people who know very little but the little that they know, they understand wholeheartedly. That is why we would find some people who put their knowledge to use but just as a ritualistic daily act, devoid of meaning. For example, some people pray religiously but the way they carry themselves outside prayer times is totally contradictory. I suppose it is this lack of understanding of the effect that prayers are to have on a person that, they behave the way they do.

At first I did not get it. I mean, how difficult it is to understand? By having more religious knowledge than the man in the street, so naturally, it would mean, the one should behave better  and be a better role model.

He point to me that, like everything else in this world, understanding comes from God. He can choose to whom He gives the knowledge as well as understanding. Knowledge can be acquired through book etc. but understanding must come from the Al-Mighty. Knowledge without understanding is a great loss because it is a kind to having given a device without the manual on how to operate or use it.

How do we acquired the 'understanding'?Simple, we ask for it. Whom do we ask? We ask from God Al-Mighty. All we need to do is sincerely ask for it. Remember, the operative word is 'sincerely'.

'' And you Lord says: ''Call on Me; I will answer you(prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell- in humiliation!'' (Quran40:60)

book: Trying to be a Muslim.