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The Virtue Of Knowledge and Education in Islam

knowledge is one of the important pillars upon which the edifice of Islam has been raised. Imam Ali, (A.S.), says: “O people! Remember that the excellence of your faith lies in acquiring knowledge and acting upon it.

According to rahyafte (the missionaries and converts website):Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), came at a time when the Arab society, like so many patriarchal societies at that time, was rife with abhorrent practices against girls. He preached Islam, liberating women and girls in every walk of life, education being a prime aspect.

 

knowledge is one of the important pillars upon which the edifice of Islam has been raised. The very fact that the first revelation upon the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) contained the commandment to ‘read’ speaks volumes of the emphasis Islam lays on education. Within Islam there is no disagreement found on acquisition of knowledge being binding and obligatory. The importance and excellence of knowledge has been highlighted both directly and indirectly in over five hundred places in the Holy Qur’an. Indeed, one of the essential duties and responsibilities of Prophethood was the dissemination of knowledge and wisdom to all. Allah Almighty says:

 

﴿كَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولاً مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُواْ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَــــٰـــتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱلْكِتَــــٰـــبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُواْ تَعْلَمُونَ﴾

Likewise, We have sent you (Our) Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) from amongst yourselves who recites to you Our Revelations and purifies and sanctifies (your hearts and ill-commanding selves) and teaches you the Book and inculcates in you logic and wisdom and enlightens you (on the mysteries of spiritual gnosis and divine truth) which you did not know. [al-Baqara, 2:151.]

 

﴿هُوَ ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّـينَ رَسُولاً مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُواْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَــــٰـــتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَــــٰـــبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِى ضَلَــــٰـــلٍ مُّبِينٍ﴾

He is the One Who sent a (Glorious) Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) amongst the illiterate people from amongst themselves who recites to them His Revelations and cleanses and purifies them (outwardly and inwardly) and teaches them the Book and wisdom. Indeed, they were in open error before (his most welcome arrival). [al-Jumu‘a, 62:2.]

 

A basic principle of Islamic Shariah states that when a commandment is revealed, even if the masculine form of word is used the female gender is also included in this commandment. If this principle is rejected then the basic pillars of Islam such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and alms-due will become null and void for women. So though God Almighty and the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) use the masculine form of sentence to describe most of the commandments, women are also bound to act and follow those rules and regulations.

 

The study of these verses clearly shows that the prophetic responsibilities of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) through his Prophethood included recital of the verses, purgation of the self, education of the Book and wisdom and communication of knowledge. Four duties out of five directly talk of knowledge whereas the second and fifth in the sequence refers to a particular kind of knowledge, which is technically defined as mysticism. However, if the doors of acquiring knowledge are closed for women or unjustified restrictions are imposed upon this acquisition, which religion will they act upon? How can they come to know the nature of the verses that have been revealed to them? How will they attain the wisdom and hikma that Allah Almighty wished them to know through the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him)? How are they to teach the fundamentals of the faith to their children if they have no knowledge of it themselves?

 

The Necessity of Getting Educated in Divine Sciences

 

You have probably often heard the following tradition on the authority of the Seal of the Prophets – Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (S), “It is incumbent upon every Muslim man and Muslim woman to seek knowledge.” In the Arabic text of some versions of this tradition we find the word Muslamat (Muslim Women) along with Muslim, while in some other versions we only find the word Muslim which of course also includes men as well as women.

 

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “It is obligatory for every Muslim to acquire knowledge. Allah likes those who seek knowledge”. (Usulul Kafi, p.15). This means that seeking knowledge is of such importance that even if it is necessary for you to travel a long distance to obtain it, you should do so.

 

 

In another narration the Prophet (S) stated, “You must seek knowledge from birth till death.”

In another narration it has been stated, “I heard that Aba Abdullah as- Sadiq (a.s.) stated, ‘Try to sincerely and profoundly understand the religion, since anyone who does not do so is like a Bedouin.’ The Honorable God the Exalted also stated in His Book:

 

“…they could devote themselves to studies in religion, and admonish the people when they return to them, – that thus they (may learn) to guard themselves (against evil).’” The Holy Quran: Tauba 9:122.

 

 

Studies have shown that in many parts of Africa and South East Asia women’s acquisition of knowledge is either fervently opposed. Education is seen as one of the pivotal factors in determining the economic, social and political advancement of a society and if, those making up over fifty percent of that society, are denied such a basic fundamental right then needless to say human rights activists will seek to find reasons for this disparity.

 

The Holy Qur’an also states:

﴿قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ‌ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُواْ ٱلْأَلْبَــــٰـــبِ﴾

Say: ‘Can those who have knowledge and those who do not be alike?’ So only the wise do receive the admonition. [al-Zumar, 39:9.]

 

 

﴿إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَــــٰۤـــؤُاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ﴾

So only those of His servants who have knowledge (of these realities with a vision and outlook) fear Him. Surely, Allah is Almighty, Most Forgiving. [Fatir, 35:28.]

 

None of these verses specify that only ‘wise men’ receive admonition or that only ‘male servants’ who have knowledge fear Him. If reference to the importance of knowledge has not been restricted within the purview of men by Almighty God, why do we persevere in creating them ourselves? A number of Prophetic traditions also talk directly about knowledge being obligatory and binding in character.

 

It is apparent from the Holy Qur’an and hadiths that the acquisition of knowledge is obligatory for women in the same way as in the case of men. The study of the life of the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) also shows that he himself made special arrangements for the education and training of women. It is important to note here that the concept of knowledge in Islam covers a broad spectrum of subjects.

 

﴿ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ. خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَــــٰـــنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ. ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ. ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ. عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَــــٰـــنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ﴾

(O Beloved!) Read (commencing) with the Name of Allah, Who has created (everything). He created man from a hanging mass (clinging) like a leech (to the mother’s womb). Read, and your Lord is Most Generous, Who taught man (reading and writing) by the pen, Who (besides that) taught man (all that) which he did not know. [al-‘Alaq, 96:1–5.]

 

The first commandment contained in these verses relates to ‘reading’ as a part of a process of acquisition of knowledge. In addition to the description of Allah Almighty being the Creator and Sustainer, two branches of knowledge are mentioned, embryology and sociology. Whilst indicating knowledge of biology and morality in these verses, the Qur’an explains the Islamic concept of knowledge as being very vast. Acquisition of knowledge embraces within in its fold all of its branches, both religious and secular, which are productive for mankind. It is important to note that this is not restricted to the purview of the traditional religious sciences. Instead many verses of the Holy Qur’an invite man to ponder and meditate over the creation of the universe. Thus it would be wrong to allow women to just partake in learning of the religious sciences and prohibit her from gaining a wider scope in her learning.

 

Another misnomer is the view that suggests women are only allowed to gain knowledge from female teachers and that instruction from men is prohibited due to the demands of purdah. Although an ideal environment would dictate women teaching women, we do not live in an ideal world where this is always possible. Since Islam is a religion for all nations and all times, it is based on practical reality. There is no stipulation that only women can teach other women or a bar regarding male teachers for women. If the rules of attire and dress are properly observed then men can teach female students under Sharia.

 

Indeed, those who quote the verses of the Holy Qur’an regarding the veil as an argument against women leaving the home in pursuit of knowledge are also severely misguided. If attending a school or college in the pursuit of knowledge constitutes breaking the laws of purdah then anytime a women steps out of her home would entail the same breakage of laws. This would of course create a ludicrous situation where a woman could never leave her home for any reason. If one looks at the verses regarding the veil Allah Almighty states:

 

﴿وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَــــٰـــتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَــــٰـــرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا‌﴾

And direct the believing women that they (too) must keep their eyes lowered and guard their chastity, and must not show off their adornments and beautification except that (part of it) which becomes visible itself. [al-Nur, 24:31.]

 

﴿يَــــٰۤـــأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَــــٰـــبِيبِهِنَّ ذَالِكَ أَدْنَىٰۤ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا﴾

O Prophet! Say to your wives, your daughters and the women of believers that, (whilst going out,) they should draw their veils as coverings over them. It is more likely that this way they may be recognized (as pious, free women), and may not be hurt (considered by mistake as roving slave girls). And Allah is Most Forgiving, Ever-Merciful. [12 al-Ahzab, 33:59.]

 

Neither of these verses prohibits a woman leaving her house. In fact, they merely stipulate that when she leaves the house she should observe the veil whilst outside. Indeed, these commandments are themselves a great justification for women stepping out of their homes and becoming active members within society. Moreover, if the act of a woman stepping out of her home was prohibited, why did the revered wives of the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) participate in battles? If we study the following traditions, we come to know the range of functions women performed during the period of Prophethood.

 

We shall now examine information about the intellectual abilities of first wife of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): Khadija.

  • Khadijah Binte Khuwaylid, the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was a wealthy tradeswoman, the richest woman in Mecca at the time, who exported goods as far away as Syria. To manage her large business, she employed several males and to do so then in Arabia, necessitated that you have a high level of understanding and wisdom.

 

Female Education?


The difference between the Biblical and the Qur’anic conceptions of women is not limited to the newly born female, it extends far beyond that. Let us compare their attitudes towards a female trying to learn her religion. The heart of Judaism is the Torah, the law. However, according to the Talmud, “women are exempt from the study of the Torah.”

 

Some Jewish Rabbis firmly declared, “Let the words of Torah rather be destroyed by fire than imparted to women” and “Whoever teaches his daughter Torah is as though he taught her obscenity”

The attitude of St. Paul in the New Testament is not brighter: “As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” (I Corinthians 14:34-35)

 

How can a woman learn if she is not allowed to speak? How can a woman grow intellectually if she is obliged to be in a state of full submission? How can she broaden her horizons if her one and only source of information is her husband at home?

 

“Allah has heard the words of her that reasons with you (Prophet Muhammad) concerning her husband and made her complaint to Allah. Allah has heard both of you discussing with one another. Indeed, Allah is the Hearer, the Seer.” (58:1).

A woman in the Qur’anic conception has the right to argue even with the Prophet of Islam (S) himself. No one has the right to instruct her to be silent. She is under no obligation to consider her husband the one and only reference in matters of law and religion.

 

As said above, acquiring knowledge is not exclusive to men. Since the Prophet (S) stated: “To seek knowledge is the duty of all Muslims” and the actual word which has been used is Muslim with its masculine grammatical form, some have thought that acquiring knowledge is only men’s obligation.

 

Firstly, in some versions of this hadith which are available in Shi‘ite references, the phrase “wa muslimah” [“and women Muslims” in Arabic] is also added. Secondly, such expressions do not show preference to a specific gender. In Arabic, when “muslim” is used alone and not in contrast to “muslimah” it can refer to both a male or female Muslim. For example, in the hadith: “The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe,” certainly, it has not been meant that only male Muslims must be like that. Elsewhere, the Prophet (S) stated: “Muslims are brothers to one another.” Here, one cannot say that the hadith is only about men because he (S) has not said “Muslim women are sisters to one another.”

 

The term “muslim” [in Arabic] has two concepts: being a Muslim and being a man. Everyone knows that in such cases, gender is not important and only being Muslim is important. Even if instead of the word “muslim”, the word “rajul” [in Arabic means “man”] was used, the gender side of it could be ignored.

 

Moreover, in jurisprudence there is a rule that some generalities admit no restriction or modification. For example, a similar issue as what was mentioned about knowledge is brought in the Qur’an about Taqwa (God-fearing). About knowledge, it is stated: “…Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only those who possess intellect take admonition” (39:9).

 

About Taqwa, it is stated: “Shall We treat those who have faith and do righteous deeds like those who cause corruption on the earth? Shall We treat the God-fearing like the vicious?” (38:28)

and also it is stated: “…Indeed the noblest of in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing among you…” (49:13)

 

and in all these examples, the prepositions are masculine and it is not said: “Shall We treat the God-fearing men and the God-fearing women” and it is not said: “the noblest of in the sight of Allah is the most God- fearing among you women”. Can one claim that because of the masculine preposition, what is mentioned about Taqwa is specific to men and excludes women?

 

Islam deems knowledge as light and ignorance as darkness as it is stated in the Qur’an that: “…Say, ‘Are the blind one and the seer equal? Or are the darkness and the light equal?’…” (13:16).

 

Therefore, when the Prophet says: “To seek knowledge is duty of all Muslims” it must be an obligation for every Muslim. Can anyone assume that in Islam men are supposed to go out of darkness and come to light, but women still stay in darkness? And it is only men’s obligation to come out of that blindness, but women still stay in such a blindness?

 

At the end of the verse, it is stated that:“…Only those who possess intellect take admonition.” (39:9)

meaning that those who possess intellect know such issues well. In fact, the Qur’an is going to state that such an issue is something obvious and everyone can understand it. It is stated about the Prophet (S) in another verse: “…to recite to them His signs, to purify them, and to teach them the Book and wisdom” (62:2).

In this verse, purification and teaching are mentioned together and all of them in masculine form. If “to purify them” can be specific to men, “to teach them” can also be specific to men.

 

The Amazing Rewards of Seeking Knowledge and its Importance

 

 

Imam Sajjad, (A.S.), says: “If people had known the advantages of acquiring knowledge they would have acquired it even if it had necessitated the shedding of their hearts’ blood or of their going down into the deep seas”. (Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.59)

 

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “Allah opens the path of Paradise to one who takes a step on the path of acquisition of knowledge”. (Muniatul Murid, p.11)

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “Acquire knowledge even if it be in China”. (Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.57)

Imam Ali, (A.S.), says: “O people! Remember that the excellence of your faith lies in acquiring knowledge and acting upon it. It is more essential for you to crave for knowledge than for riches”. (Usulul Kafi, p.15)

 

Knowledge is better than wealth because it protects you while you have to guard wealth. it decreases if you keep on spending it but the more you make use of knowledge, the more it increases. what you get through wealth disappears as soon as wealth disappears but what you achieve through knowledge will remain even after you.” Hazrat Ali Ibne Abi Talib (A.S)

 

Knowledge must be Accompanied by Noble Behavior

 

The Commander of the Faithful Ali (a.s.) stated, “The best wealth which an individual receives is knowledge…” It becomes evident from this sentence that knowledge has a lot of importance. The Commander of the Faithful Ali (a.s.) continued by saying, “Good etiquette and praise- worthy characteristics are like clean clothes and garments which always adorn us…

Knowledge becomes valuable when it is accompanied by admirable personal attributes and piety. Therefore, man should try to develop admirable ethics such as truthfulness, kindness, patience, humbleness, and other admirable ones.

 

The Commander of the Faithful Ali (a.s.) stated, “The best wealth which an individual receives is knowledge.” Good etiquette and praise-worthy characteristics are like clean clothes which always adorn us. Pondering is a very bright mirror.

 

 

Knowledge must be Accompanied by Thinking

 

The Commander of the Faithful Ali (a.s.) continued by saying,”…Pondering is a very bright mirror.” There are other narrations about this. For example, the following has been narrated on the authority of Abi Abdullah as-Sadiq (a.s.), “One hour of thinking is better than one year of worshipping (without any thinking).” Abi Abdullah as-Sadiq (a.s.) added, “… It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.” The Holy Quran: Ar-Ra’d 13:19.

 

What is this (type of) thinking that is of such importance? The most significant type of thinking is thinking about the manifestations of God’s Power, the wonderful things about God’s Creations and Signs. Man must think about his own existence and notice the Manifestations of God’s Power in his own existence and in Creation. This very act is the greatest type of thinking for man.

 

The second type of thinking which is of great importance is that about the unfaithfulness of the world. Man should realize that this world is transient and he must not rely on it a lot. On the other hand, he must take lessons from the events in the history of man. And the result of this would be that he will not get attached to this world anymore, but will get detached from it. Acquiring knowledge must also be for the sake of God, and not for this world. Otherwise, no benefit is derived from that. Amongst the various types of thinking which are very outstanding are thinking about scientific issues such as monotheism (Tawheed); the religious principles (monotheism, Prophethood and the Resurrection); religious jurisprudence; religious precepts; morality; Quranic commentary and to sum it all up – the Islamic sciences.

 

 

Sources

Sherif Muhammad Abdel Azeem, “Women In Islam Versus Women In The Judaeo-Christian Tradition: The Myth & The Reality”,  Publisher(s): World Islamic Network

Murtadha Mutahhari, “Duty of Acquiring Knowledge”, Publisher(s): World Islamic Network

https://www.minhaj.org/english

https://www.al-islam.org

https://moralsandethics.wordpress.com

 

DUA: Allah! please accept this from us. You are All-Hearing and All-Knowing. You are The Most Forgiving.You are The Most Relenting and repeatedly Merciful. Allah! grant us The Taufiq to read all the 5 prayers with sincerity.
(Taken from  To Be Earnest In Prayers By Amina Elahi)
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