Islamic Ideological Foundation of Education
Islam is not merely a religion but a comprehensive guide to righteousness, encompassing every facet of life. It serves as an all-encompassing code for those who embrace its teachings. Islamic education plays a pivotal role in uniting Muslims, providing a common platform for adherents to harmonize their religious, social, and moral principles. Rooted in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, this ideology forms the bedrock of Islamic civilization, offering a path towards spiritual enlightenment and a moral compass to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Embracing the values embedded in these sacred texts, Muslims strive to lead a life characterized by piety, compassion, and social responsibility
Islam taught us the difference between what is right and what is wrong. You always need a teacher to tell you how to do something, Isn’t it? That is why Allah sent His messenger to explain to us the true meaning of life. Muhammad ﷺ not only used his words but also gave practical examples of everything.
The First Revelation
The first verse of the Holy Quran clearly explained the importance of education. Allah ﷻ said in Quran;
اِقۡرَاۡ بِاسۡمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِىۡ خَلَقَ
Recite1 in the name of your Lord2 Who created,
خَلَقَ الۡاِنۡسَانَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍۚ
created man from a clot of congealed blood.
اِقۡرَاۡ وَرَبُّكَ الۡاَكۡرَمُۙ
Recite: and your Lord is Most Generous,
الَّذِىۡ عَلَّمَ بِالۡقَلَمِۙ
Who taught by the pen,
عَلَّمَ الۡاِنۡسَانَ مَا لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡؕ
taught man what he did not know.
Education for All
Our ideology has laid great stress upon acquiring knowledge both for men and for women. Islam doesn’t believe in partiality. It has always promoted education among females on similar terms as it has promoted for men. The Allah’s Apostle ﷺ emphasized the acquisition of education in a hadith,
“The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.” –Tirmidhi, Hadith 74.
Education and Perception
Only education can change the perception of people. The way we act, think and talk all depends upon the quality of education we acquire. How will you feel if you are an illiterate person and you are sitting with a company of some of your educated people? Uncomfortable, right? Because you can’t behave, talk and discuss them.
Education is the basic right of a person and Islam has made it crystal clear that we should keep learning. In Quran Allah states:
The Holy Quran openly declared that the people who are educated are different from the people who are not. Allah said:
أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
Is the one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.
Types Of Education
There are two types of education;
Religious and
specular.
Specular knowledge is important for the day to day living and religious for the life of hereafter as all people are accountable for what they do in their lives. Islam not only emphasizes on religious education but also on education of science. In the Quran Allah says:
اِنَّ فِىۡ خَلۡقِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ وَاخۡتِلَافِ الَّيۡلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَالۡفُلۡكِ الَّتِىۡ تَجۡرِىۡ فِى الۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا يَنۡفَعُ النَّاسَ وَمَآ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مِنۡ مَّآءٍ فَاَحۡيَا بِهِ الۡاَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيۡهَا مِنۡ کُلِّ دَآ بَّةٍ وَّتَصۡرِيۡفِ الرِّيٰحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الۡمُسَخَّرِ بَيۡنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ يَّعۡقِلُوۡنَ
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason.
Islamic concepts of education, deeply rooted in the Quran and Sunnah, provide profound insights into its purpose and teaching methods. Education, a fundamental aspect of human identity, distinguishes us from animals. While material wealth can be taken away, knowledge remains invaluable and eternal. Islam prioritizes education for all, regardless of gender. As devout Muslims, it is our sacred duty to seek knowledge, not only for worldly survival but also for success in the hereafter. In aligning with these teachings, we equip ourselves with the tools necessary to thrive in this world and secure a prosperous afterlife. Hence, it is a very beautiful prayer that we must say:
‘Oh my Lord! Increase me in knowledge’