Umar Faruq, the second Caliph of Islam, was a man of great wisdom. One of his traits is reported in these words: “He was able to learn from every person.” This learning spirit is the greatest quality for a person.

Opportunities for learning are abundant in every circumstance. But a person has to have an open mind to benefit from this. The world is virtually a global university for learning, and requires no formal admission. The only qualification required to benefit from this university is the willingness or readiness to receive impressions or ideas.

People tend to accept anything that goes in their favour and get offended if something is said against them. This is the greatest obstacle to learning. A person having the learning spirit is free from prejudice and receptive to new arguments and ideas making it possible to learn from anyone— friend or enemy.

To develop the learning spirit, it is important not to get offended. Taking offence leads to displeasure, anger and resentment. When a mirror tells you have dirt on your face, you don’t get angry. Rather, you will accept it as true and promptly wash your face.

The learning spirit is the greatest source of intellectual and personality development. But the condition for making use of it for oneself is that whenever a person tells you something about yourself, you should give a positive response as you always give to the mirror.