Education in Islam

Islam places great stress on seeking knowledge and education. Generally

speaking, one can't find the proper right path in this world,
this is true in all times and places. Knowledge is very important for two
reasons. Firstly, it makes the man a right thinker; no one can think properly
without having a fair amount of education. It also helps man to take the right
decision. Secondly, Knowledge is that only through gaining many levels of
education, man is able to gain more information from the external world.
In fact, Islam called upon seeking out knowledge on all the levels. The first
word of the Qur`an,
revealed by God to prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was read, which highlights
the importance of science and learning.
The prophet (PBUH) said:seeking knowledge is a compulsory on every
Muslim.
He also said: whoever follows a path seeking knowledge, God will make his
path to paradise easy.
In Islam, education process derives its pillars from Holy Quran and Prophetic
Traditions, and sayings of Companions, Followers and the opinions of
pedagogy scholars.
From this balanced blend, the Islamic education derived its objectives,
elements, means and methods, in the context of integrated system
organized by Islamic teachings. Education process in Islam is a process of
building and directing individuals to reach its maturity. For this aim,
messages were revealed and messengers were sent to build individuals
spiritually, mentally and physically, in the light of balanced system that
enables them to perform his duties.

Importance of Education in Society

The importance of education is clear. It can be safely said that a human
being is not in the proper sense till he is educated. When the Qur'an was
revealed, the first word of its first verse was 'Iqra' meaning read. Education is
thus the starting point of every human activity.

Education and knowledge are mandatory upon both men and women in
Islam. God the Exalted says in the Qur`an:
Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is
those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition. (AzZumar,39:9)
In Islam, great respect and admiration is given to the learned people of
knowledge. They hold an extremely high rank in society. Prophet
Muhammad(PBUH) said:
If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, God 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
dina or dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an
abundant portion.
The importance of education cannot be neglected. Especially in todays
world, the role of
education has become even more vital. It is absolutely essential for
economic and social development.
The importance of education in Islam is based on many factor as follows:

Knowledge is the heritage of the prophets,

Knowledge lasts, but money vanishes by expending;

People of knowledge is guarded by their knowledge but people guards

money;

By knowledge, man can find the way for God`s stratification; and

Knowledge is the light that guides people.

Many other factors that can be considered for the importance of education.

It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a Messenger from among

themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct
them in Scripture and Wisdom, - although they had been, before, in manifest
error; - (Al-Jumu`ah, 62:2), with this aim messengers were sent; that it
educate people.

The following are some sayings of Islamic scholars about the importance of
education:
Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib May God be Pleased with Him- said Knowledge is
better than money; knowledge guards you but you guard money, knowledge
is governor but money is governed, and scholar is better than who fasts and
prays at night... Abu Al-Aswad said there is nothing better than
knowledge; kings are the governors of peoples but scholars are the
governors of kings.
Imam Al-shafeai said seeking for knowledge is the best this after performing
the duties that God has imposed.
It is well said that Without education, man is as though in a closed room and
with education he finds himself in a room with all its windows open towards
outside world.
Educational process in any part of the world is based on certain ideas and
visions: the true nature of human being, the purposes behind their
engagement in educational
system, and the knowledge they have about how human beings develop and
advance toward the given objective (s). So that, every system of thought can
be shaped by these visions and understandings.
Islamic educational process is also based on a series of particular principles,
coming from an Islamic vision. The Islamic society is, however, based on
principles of belief and conduct. As observer, one can see strong connection
between values and practice
matters in all Islamic life. Therefore, it is necessary for us to pay attention to
these values, and then explain educational practical principles of Islamic
education.
The vision of education process in Islam differentiates between teaching
about Islam and teaching about being Muslim.

The educational objectives are defined as what society want for itself. The
general context of Islamic educational objective is to achieve happiness in
this life and the last life that is upbringing
human mentally, physically, artistically, ethically and intellectually and
providing him with knowledge, orientations, values, and experiences
necessary for sound growth in consistence with Islamic message. Imam
Mawardi defines the objective of Islamic education as preparing individuals
for life in the hereafter and in this world.
The methodology of Islamic education is keen to upgrade the educational
objectives to meet the sublime aim, that is compliance
with the directives of God, and responding to the needs of individuals and
nation in a balanced integrated system. The most distinctive criteria that
governs the Islamic education objectives are as follows:
1. The Islamic education objectives are real and achievable in accordance
with the capabilities of man o burden do We place on any soul, but that
which it can bear (Al-A`raf, 7:42)
2. The Islamic education deals with all human aspects Nothing have
We omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in
the end (Al-An`am, 6:38)
3. The Islamic education stresses the connection between the practical and
theoretical aspects in accordance with the needs of individual and
community Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works
righteousness, and says, I am of those who bow in Islam? (Fussilat, 41:33).
Imam Ghazali says the educator should apply what he learns, because
knowledge without
practice is madness, and practice without knowledge is not possible
4. The Islamic education stresses the continuity of education; Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) says seek for knowledge from cradle to grave. Imam Abu
Hanifah said to his students who thinks that he can do without education, he
must lament himself.
5. The Islamic education supports the scientific thinking and research;
disposing all myths. Say: Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth; but
neither Signs nor Warners

profit those who believe not. (Yunus,10:101).

6. The objectives of Islamic education is flexible; Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib says
teach your sons by methods other than your methods; your time is different
of theirs.
7. The Islamic objectives are keen to employ all human senses Say: It is He
Who has created you (and made you grow), and made for you the faculties of
hearing, seeing, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is ye give. (AlMulk, 67:23)
8. The Islamic education stresses
self-promotion and belonging to Islam.
9. The Islamic educational objectives supports the principles of democracy,
justice, equality and respecting humanity Let there be no compulsion in
religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes
in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks.
And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. (Al-Baqarah, 2:256)
Practical Educational Principles in
Islam
1. Evaluation of Educational Materials:
The content of education is evaluated in a way that assure avoiding
extremism which may terminate in bodily harms, or even sometimes
psychological abnormalities.
2. Encouraging the Sense of Self-respect:
In Islamic education methods stimulate educator to develop a sense of selfrespect. A teacher, therefore, should make his
students aware of the facts around them. A teacher and educator should also
consider students as trusts of God, entrusted to him/her in order to be taught
the best material by the best method and to be trained in the best manner.
3. Attentiveness toward freedom in action:
Giving the attention to the role of free choice in the human motion toward
perfection, instructions are given the opportunity for freedom in action,
instead of pushing him/her into passivity.

4. Observing the principle of graduality:

Considering graduality of human progress whethe atural or acquired into
account, a teacher has to be aware about what the students age and
natural/social factors necessitate. Accordingly, teacher has to try to elevate
the instructed gradually and step by step, without expecting swift and
sudden jumps.
5. Flexibility:
Since individual and group differ, the observation of flexibility is a must in
both programming
curriculum and its enforcement.
6. Giving priority to what is more important:
Educators play a significant role in growing young students and enhancing
their potentialities. They have to take the expedience of each and every
learner into account, as well as what is suitable for the whole of the Islamic
society and the human society in general. Therefore, planners of curriculum
and teachers should steer clear of programs and courses that waste time or
record low compared to
superior goals. Also, they have to pay more attention to the effective issues
concerning with human eternal wellbeing and teach them more suitably.
7. Natural and social knowledge:
Islam pays more attention to students' age and mental requirements as well
as societys needs and possibilities before introducing natural, mathematical,
and social sciences to a curriculum.
The teachings of Islam encourage people to pursue knowledge; and hold
people of knowledge in
highly remarkable place.