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Islam and Education By Khalid Hanjra, kit no. 876/Iqbal

Cadet College Petaro has experienced its fifty years of excellence in education. And on this auspicious occasion, I would like to share some thoughts on the true value of knowledge and education as we have been taught by Allah through the Qur’an and through the teachings of the noblest of all beings – our Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam). Education has always played a key role within the religion of Islam. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says in the noble Qur’an in surah 58 Al-Mujaadilah:

“Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.”

It is important to understand exactly what knowledge Islam has placed so much emphasis on. Consider the following hadith:

It is narrated by Abu Musa that the Prophet (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain-water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, (making their animals drink from it) and to irrigate the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then the land was of no benefit). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's Religion and gets benefit from the knowledge which Allah has revealed through me and learns and then teaches it to others. The (last example is that of a) person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's Guidance revealed through me (He is like the barren land.)" (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Through the above narration, the Prophet (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) is telling us of the superiority of religious knowledge. This is the knowledge that we should give priority to.

In another hadith The Prophet said,

“Seeking for knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

As Muslims we believe that the reason why we are created is to worship Allah. Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) says in the Qur’an:

‘And I did not create the Jinn, nor Mankind except that they should worship Me. I require neither provision from them nor do I wish that they should nourish Me. Verily, Allah is the Provider, the Possessor of Power, the Mighty.’ (adh-Dhariyat 51:56-58)

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Many Muslims today claim to worship Allah and to follow the religion of Islam; when in reality they do neither. For how can you worship that which you do not know? As Muslims when we do not know Allah, His names and Attributes, how then can we claim to worship Him and how can we claim to truly fear Him?

“It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah.” (Faatir 35: 28)

And Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) has taught us in the Qur’an that knowledge proceeds both from action and deeds:

“So know that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and ask forgiveness for your sins and also for the sins of believing men and women.” (Muhammad 47:19)

Thus, without a shadow of doubt our priority must be first and foremost the learning of Islamic knowledge for it is only then that we can truly be successful. However the seeking of Islamic knowledge does not need to be done at the expense of seeking secular knowledge. For without doubt for any society to progress and establish itself as a world leader it needs to have the most eminent scientists, professors, lecturers and doctors. It is unfortunate however that when you look at the many Muslim countries around the world today this educational emphasise is no longer present and this has in turn led to the hindering of the development of many of the societies in the Muslim world. A professor was once asked about how best to judge the future of a nation and he replied:

“Show me its educational system so that I can tell you about its future.”

Worldly knowledge includes all branches of knowledge by which we acquire through our human experience and interaction with the universe that surrounds us. We acquire this knowledge by investigating and contemplating the patterns and laws that exist in nature.

Allah says in more than one place in the Quran “It is He who has produced you from the Earth and settled you therein.”

Allah is telling us that he has made us to live on Earth for the duration of our lives and we are supposed to develop it, cultivate it, and thrive in it. How are we expected to do this if we do not know what will improve our lives and what will bring harm to us?

Allah says:

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“And when the Prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of the bounty of Allah: and celebrate the praises of Allah often that you may prosper.” [ Sûrah al-Jumu`ah : 10]

Here Allah is talking about commerce, investment, and economic development.

Allah says: “It is He who has made the Earth manageable for you, so traverse through its tracts and enjoy of the sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection.” [Sûrah al-Mulk: 15]

This verse alludes to agriculture, land development, and travelling in search of Allah's bounty.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If the Final Hour arrives while one of you has a sapling in his hand and he can finish planting it before standing up, then he should do so.” [Musnad Ahmad]

In the field of medicine, the Prophet said:

“Every disease has a remedy. If the remedy is applied to the disease, the patient will be cured by Allah's permission.” [ Sahîh Muslim ]

He also said: “Allah did not send down a disease without sending down a cure for it.” [ Sahîh al-Bukhârî ]

A desert dweller once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “What type of people are the best?”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “The best of them in moral character.”

The man then asked: “O Messenger of Allah, should we seek medical treatment?”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “Seek medical treatment, for truly Allah has not sent down a disease without sending down a cure for it. Those who have knowledge of the cure know it, and those who are ignorant of it do not.” [Musnad Ahmad ]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) referred to medical knowledge as knowledge and to a lack of it as ignorance. He encouraged us to use our minds and our resources to seek out the cures to the diseases that plague us by telling us that those cures are out there for us to discover and make use of. It is clear for all to see therefore of the important emphasise placed on secular education by the Prophet (SAW). It is important though to realise that seeking education was always done in the context of Islam and Islamic principles. A nation which contains the most eminent secular scholars has no value to either its people or the wider world. However a nation that is built upon Islamic principles, which contains individuals versed in Islamic knowledge and secular knowledge is a beacon of light shining brightly for the entire world to see and to use as an

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example. The Muslim world has this opportunity to shape its own unique identity, one which encompasses Islamic principles and one which does not fully adapt the western ideology but rather takes the best from it, this is the vision and the aim we should be striving towards.