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.
In light of Quran:)
The first Quranic revelation about education in Islam was “Read in the name of your Lord, who created: created man from a clot of congealed blood. Read! And your Lord is the most merciful, who has taught (the writing) by the pen, taught man about which he knew not.” (AL-Alaq, 1-5)
Education helps individuals identify their purpose, understand where they came from, and where they are going. It provides answers to unlimited and intuitive questions such as how things work in this world, how does the human body work, and what causes the sky to turn blue.
Whoever seeks knowledge can find answers and when they do, they realize that there is someone who has created all of this. The intricate and rational structure of the world is not a coincidence, but the work of a divine.
In Surah Az-Zumar, verse 9, Allah asks, “Can those who have the knowledge and those who do not know be deemed equal?” Knowledge provides advancement in life, and when a person is self-aware, they begin to understand their purpose. They understand that the world is not just about life and death. Thus, they try to live according to the principles of Islam, keeping good behavior, respecting others, and showing kindness.
On the other hand, an uneducated or illiterate person is not even aware of themselves. They are lost and do not know their purpose. They do not know the importance of respect, good nature, and kindness. Thus, due to their illiteracy, they may do bad deeds or sins. As they do not know about the secrets of the universe, they have no interest in what their purpose is.
They only know that they will live and die, and that’s it. Therefore, a person who is educated and an uneducated person can never be equal.
In Surah Tawba, verse 122, Allah emphasizes the importance of education even in the most critical times of war. Allah states that it is not desirable that all of the believers take the field in time of war. From within every group in their midst, some shall refrain from going to war and shall devote themselves instead to acquiring a deeper knowledge of the Faith, and thus be able to teach their home-coming brethren, so that these too might guard themselves against evil.
Education is not only important for an individual but also has a profound impact on the whole of the nation. Thus, according to Islam, a nation needs to have people willing to gain knowledge and also educate others about Islam along with other things.
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 خبي
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.
In the light of Hadith:)
As a messenger of Allah, the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.W) has also emphasized the importance of education in Islam.
It was through his teaching and education that the people came to know the truth and embraced Islam as their religion.
According to one hadees on education, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) says
“It is a necessity for every Muslim to seek knowledge”(AL-Tirmidhi, 74)
The Prophet (S.A.W.W) has deemed education as a necessity for both men and women, irrespective of color and creed. Because those who seek knowledge will only gain the truth about this world.
According to another Hadith on education
“Seek knowledge and teach it to other people.” (AL-Tirmidhi, 107)
Knowledge is something that you can never lose, the more you spread it, the more it increases. Our Prophet (S.A.W.W) has emphasized teaching whatever you know to other people.
According to Islam, responsibility also falls on the parents to educate their children. An educated child will not only bring benefit for them but also himself and the whole world.
In Islam, the best gift a parent can give to his child is good education. Accordingto a Hadith in Tirmidhi
“ A father gives his child nothing but a good 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.
The following are 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