Education in Islam has great significance. Islam is the religion of peace and stands out among the most hallowed and dependable religions, giving us direction in each part of life. Islam gives us instruction with learning which has no restrictions. The Holy Quran is the most secular book of Allah uncovered by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). For the enlistment direction and enhanced messages to humanity.
Importance of Education in Islam in the light of the Quran
Education in Islam has been emphasized repeatedly in the Quran, the ultimate source of guidance for Muslims.
First Divine Revelation
The first revelation on the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at the cave of Hira demonstrates the importance of Education in Islam; the verse began with the word “Iqra”, which means “read” in Arabic, which implies the concept of learning and seeking knowledge.
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ
Recite in the name of your Lord who created –
خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ
Created the human being from a clinging substance.
ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous –
ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ
Who taught by the pen –
عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
Taught the human being that which he knew not.
(AlQuran 96:1-5)
In the Quran, Allah raises the honour of the person among us who seek knowledge,
برفع الله الذين امنوا منكم والذين أوتوا العلم درجت والله بما تعملون خبير
Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees. And Allāh is Acquainted with what you do.
(AlQuran 58:11)
The Quran addresses all the people and indicates that people will be judged by their knowledge and understanding.
قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“Are those who know equal to those who do not know?
(AlQuran 39:9)
Allah Almighty taught every aspect of education Islamic, Arts, and Science to the first Prophet, Hazrat Adam (AS).
وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلْأَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا
And He taught Adam the names – all of them.
AlQuran (2:31)
In the above verse, the word “ASMA أَسْمَآءَ” means all the branches of education, including science, arts and philosophy.
What is the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) according to education?
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave great importance to science and education. The importance given to knowledge, learning, teaching, students, and teachers is often used in His activities and words. There are a lot of Hadiths that encourage Muslims to gain an education.
Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) said while describing the importance of education in Islam,
“If anyone travels on the road searching for knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge; the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion.”
The Prophet (SAW) did not just lecture about the significance of learning. He likewise gave samples of advancing information about education in Islam.
In the Battle of Badr, a war between Muslims and Non-Muslims, Muslims stood victorious with the grace of Allah, and almost 70 kuffars were taken as prisoners of war. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that only one condition would free the prisoner if they teach at least 10 Muslim children how to read and write.
Holy Prophet (SAW) advised His companions to seek knowledge even if they have to visit china for it,
“Acquire knowledge, even if you must go to China for it.”
The above Hadith shows how important education in Islam for the people, even if they have to struggle for it.
Why is education important
Education is one of the most important aspects of life. Education can help us to develop our learning skills and improve our knowledge. It helps us to become better, more informed and up-to-date citizens.
The following benefits of gaining an education.
- Financial Security
- Confident
- Self-Sufficiency
- Economic Growth
- Freedom of Expression
- Peacefulness
- Personal Development
- Make your dream come true.
- Valuable Person
- Needed for Equality
- Productivity
- Empowerment
- Self-Assured
Women’s Education in Islam
In Islam, the duty of seeking knowledge and learning is obligatory for every Muslim.
Prophet Muhammad (Saw) said,
“Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.”
The Quran treats knowledge as a means to reaching iman (faith) for all Muslims, males, and females, to become true believers. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated three things concerning education, ‘Real values are necessary, ‘knowledge is power, and ‘Good guidance is needed for life’.
A girl’s education in Islam is not prohibited. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasized women’s education in many hadiths.
Abu Musa Al-Ashari narrates that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said,
He who has a slave girl, teaches her good manners, improves her education, and then manumits and marries her will get a double reward.
This approach was followed to eradicate slavery in the early days of Islam but simultaneously indicates the importance of women’s education in Islam. From the above Hadith, it is clear that women’s education is also essential to a community. Those who disapprove of women’s education speak not from a religious perspective but a somewhat limited and extreme political view.
