In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Gracious

As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuhu

ISLAMIC

RESEARCH AND INFORMATION CENTRE

The Concept of Education

The Importance of Education in Islam:

When entire mankind had yet not known the value of education, when America had not yet been discovered, when Europe was in the Dark Age, it was Islam that aroused both men and women, irrespective of their race, sex, colour, caste, nationality, social status etc. to gain knowledge. The first and foremost Teaching of Islam i.e. the first and foremost Command of Allah that revealed to Muhammed was: “Read in the Name of your Lord Who created (all things)…” (96: 1)

This manifests the importance of gaining knowledge in Islam. Let us ponder on the very first word of the very first Revelation i.e. Iqhra (read). Bacon says, “Reading makes man complete.” The meaning of reading is not confined to just reading books. Reading also means: reading (studying) the God’s Guidance, reading (observing) things, reading (pondering on) experiences et cetera. Man can gain abundant knowledge and understanding through reading.

Islam does not want people to close their eyes and insight and accept whatever is propounded before them, nor does Islam want people to believe in hearsay. Islam wants people to search for the Truth and believe in the Truth.

Ignorance is the biggest enemy of humanity. It always creates problems and losses for humanity. It has always been an obstacle on the road to the Truth. So Islam, the well-wisher of humanity, encouraged people to get education. The Quraan says:

1)      “Say: ‘Can they who know and they who do not know be equal?’ Only those receive admonition, who are open-minded.” (39: 9)

2)      “Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who have Faith and who have been granted knowledge.” (58: 11)

3)      “Thus does Allah seal up the hearts of those who do not know.” (30: 59)

4)      “Their Prophet said to them: ‘Allah has appointed Taaloot as king over you,’ they said: ‘how can he (Taaloot) exercise authority over us when we are better fitted than him to exercise authority, and he is not even gifted with wealth in abundance?’ He (the Prophet) said: ‘Allah has chosen him above you, and has gifted him abundantly with knowledge and bodily prowess.” (2: 247)

Besides these Quraanic Verses, there are the sayings of the Messenger of Allah, which encourage man to gain knowledge. The Messenger of Allah says: -

1)      “Allah gives the power of understanding of ad-Deen (the Guidance of Allah) to the one whom He wills to bestow goodness.” (Saheeh Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim)

2)      “The best of you is the one who learns the Quraan and teaches it (to others).” (Saheeh Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim)

3)      “Allah will make the way to paradise easy for the one who walked a way in search of knowledge.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Nature of Knowledge:

There are two types of knowledge: 1) Munkar knowledge and 2) Ma’roof knowledge.

The knowledge (information) which misguides man or which is bad and wrong in Allah’s view is Munkar knowledge, for example: the knowledge of 1) the production of intoxicants, 2) the calculation of usury, 3) black magic, 4) astrology, 5) Vaastushastra, 6) horoscope, 7) palmistry, 8) fairy tales, et cetera.

Islam forbids Munkar knowledge and also its learning and teaching.

The knowledge (information) which guides man rightly or which is good and right in Allah’s view is Ma’roof knowledge, for example: the knowledge of 1) Allah’s Being, His Attributes, His Powers, His Status and His Rights, 2) the ways of worshipping Allah, 3) permitted businesses and skills, et cetera.

Islam arouses people to learn Ma’roof knowledge and to teach it to others.

The Difference between Islamic Knowledge and Material Knowledge

Islam concerns with man and with all aspects of his life. It tells man what is good and what is bad for him, what is right and what is wrong for him, what is beneficial and what is harmful to him et cetera. It lets man know all aspects and facts and realities of life, and makes man realistic and practical. It makes man realize the responsibilities of God and the responsibilities of other people on him. It tells man how a peaceful and happy life is led, how to deal with the troubles and problems of individual and professional, familial and social lives. It gives a perfect and practicable code of living that guides man rightly in all walks of life.

Material knowledge (science and technology) concerns with materials and all aspects of materials. It concerns with nature, elements, functions etc. of materials. It tells man how to bring different materials into use, how different things can be made by using different materials, what are the safety measures for them, how to repair them et cetera.

After studying the difference between Islamic knowledge and material knowledge, we can easily understand the necessity and benefits of both types of knowledge in human life. To develop human personality and mind and for the well-being and welfare of individuals, families and society, Islamic knowledge is necessary. And to have material comforts and to be financially fit, material knowledge is necessary. To live a peaceful, happy, prosperous and successful life, we need both types of knowledge.

But today, we see most people, neglecting Islamic knowledge, run behind only material knowledge. So we see, even after having all sorts of material comforts, they fail to lead a peaceful and life. They wander about in search of peace and happiness. Many people, indulging in intoxicants, illicit relationship etc., afflict not only their parents, but also their wives and children. Many people behave irresponsibly and become headache for the family. Parents too, neglecting Islamic knowledge, give only material knowledge to their children. The same children, after becoming financially fit, kick their parents and betray them or behave badly with them and afflict them in various ways. So, it is recommended to parents to give Islamic knowledge along with material knowledge to their children, so that they may realize their responsibilities both within and outside of their homes. This is imperative for the well-being and welfare of individuals, families and society. Moreover, Instead of teaching fictions and mythology to students, if schools and colleges teach them the duties and responsibilities of a person towards his/her parents, spouse, children etc., it will be beneficial to all. But, as we see, in secular countries, schools and colleges teach only material knowledge. They are concerned about only the financial aspect of life. So, it becomes the responsibility of parents to give Islamic knowledge to their children at home, if they really want their children to be the responsible individuals. 

Some of the advantages of Islamic Knowledge:

1)      It makes man responsible, pious, God-fearing, well-wisher of all, and subservient to his God and his parents.

2)      It opens the mind of man that he could recognize and realize what is good and what is bad for him, what is right and what is wrong for him, what is beneficial and what is harmful to him.

3)      It gives right direction to human assets i.e. wealth, time, abilities, mind, resources, etc.

 Sex-Education

Sex-education arouses sexual urge in young boys and girls. So, one of the main reasons of rise in the rate of pre-marital physical contact and sex is sex-education at many of our schools and colleges of our modern days, and through media.

They (schools, colleges and media) do not teach children the commitments and responsibilities towards their Creator, their parents, their families, their relatives et cetera. They do no teach how to behave with them. They do not teach how to develop good characters. They are, not at all, interested in teaching what is right and what is wrong for them, what is good and what is bad for them, what is beneficial and what is harmful to them. But they are very eager and curious to give children and young boys and girls sex-education which is not necessary before marriage. This proves their destructive attitude towards life. They protest against child-marriage, but encourage children on gaining sex-education. This has led most young boys and girls to pre-marital courtship and sex. Many young boys, when they do not get their lovers to satiate their sexual urge, go to even prostitutes.

     We must realize that children are the future of the nation. If they are led to the right way, the future of the nation will be free from crimes, corruption and other immoralities; if they are misled, the future of the nation will be full of corruption, crimes and other immoralities. So they should be handled carefully. Sex education at schools and colleges must be stopped and pornography must be banned, so that a clean and pious life could be led. Schools, colleges, families and media must all participate in developing good characters in them, and must not try to mislead them.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © NOORUL HUSSAIN K. 2004