Concept of Education in Islam

Education is process , system or method through which something is instilled in human being. Human being which is recipient of education is also known as “rational animal”. Man needs education to perform his duties and responsibilities. The Islamic concept of education is not
based on acquiring skills for earning. Islam emphasizes on education that is beneficial for a person and society as a whole. According to Islam there are two basic types of education.

1. Religious Education
2. Secular Education

Religious knowledge refers to information about instructions and guidelines from Allah Almighty that how a person should live and behave in his life. Secular education is for day to day dwelling. The specialty of Islam is that the first revelation of Holy Quran was about learning.
“Read and your Lord is Most Honorable, who taught (to write) with the pen, who taught man what he knew not.”
(Quran, 96-3-5)

 

Islam made education obligatory for each and every male and female Muslim to learn and acquire knowledge. In Islam education is demarcation of one’s status as Quran Says

“Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?” (Al-Zumr, ayah 9)
And on another place it states:
“Allah grants wisdom to whom He pleases and to whom wisdom is granted indeed he receives an overflowing benefit.”
(Al-Baqarah, ayah 269)
With out education one can not perceive the message and commandants of Allah. With little knowledge we are prone of being betrayed from right path. The danger of ignorance is that a person can not differentiate between right and wrong and he can be easily a victim of Satan.
He is at risk of losing most invaluable gift of his life that is “Iman”. A life of educated person is enlightened and he can clearly identify and follow the right path .
Acquiring knowledge is crucial act in Islam. In Quran Allah Almighty invites human to investigate and ponder the creation of Universe. Allah asks people to travel on then planet to gain knowledge and travelling in path of seeking knowledge is worship in Islam. Knowledge acquired by struggle leads person closer to Allah Almighty and jannah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) Said:
“One who treads a path in search of knowledge has his path to Paradise made easy by God...”
 (Riyaz us-Saleheen, 245)



Education is not only about learning, we must pass and deliver the gained knowledge to others so that they can also get benefitted from merits education. Islam asks followers to learn Quran and teach it to others. This hadith is about reward of teaching beneficial knowledge to others.
“God, His angels and all those in Heavens and on Earth, even ants in their hills and fish in the water, calls down blessings on those who instruct others in beneficial knowledge.”
(Tirmidhi, Hadith 422)



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