Eman Sakina

“Read! In the name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).

Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,Who has taught(the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.”

                                                      -Al Quran (96:1-5)

The first verse of the Holy Scripture Al Quran was revealed with the instruction of education. The first word Iqra is a command that means ‘read’ in the Arabic language and that implies the concepts of ‘learning’ ‘exploring’ and ‘seeking enlightenment. This manifestly demonstrates that reading (knowledge) is the way to approach the creator of all that exists.

 Most of the Prophets sought to Allah for increasing their knowledge. Say for example Hazrat Ibrahim said, “My Lord! Bestow Hukum (religious knowledge, right judgment of the affairs and Prophet-hood) on me and join me with the righteous.”

 Prophet Mohammad (saw) declared, “Ana MadinatulIlmwaAli baboha” ( I am the city of knowledge and Hazrat Ali is its gateway).

There is a famous hadith of the Holy Prophet wherein he said, “Acquire knowledge, even though you may have to go to China for this purpose.”

In view of the above, Education is thus the starting point of every human activity. Islamic aim of imparting education is the rearing and preparation of the Muslims for their earthly and immortal life. To acquire knowledge has been made compulsory by Divine commandments. The purpose of education in Islam is to associate and balance the physical and spiritual development of the faithful. Islam preaches to develop the excellence of behavior which is not possible without attaining the desired level of education. Education is not only the right but the duty of every Muslim man and woman. Islam considers education as an instrument by which a person can be trained about every aspect of human life which is essentially important for the day-to-day life of a person. The Qur'an and hadith contain all possible solutions that a man can use for his knowledge and wisdom.

Also Read: Islam: Religion of Peace and Faith

Islam doesn't discriminate between male and female believers. Approximately 50% of the Muslim population consists of female believers. How can religion leave them uncovered from the benefits of education?

Women get empowerment by way of education. An educated woman besides being a good wife behaves like a good friend of her spouse and acts as a wise advisor to him. In times of economic crisis, she stands by her husband, providing financial support for the household. An educated mother will know the best about the nutrition of her child and his health and will be the best guide for choosing the careers of her children. After all, a woman is the first school of a child. She becomes a good mother for her children to prepare them as proactive citizens. In Holy Quran, it is said, whether a man of eyes and a blind can be equal? Similarly, an educated woman and an illiterate woman cannot be equal. What PM is saying today is "beti padao..", Islam had said this in a more elaborate manner 1400 years ago.

Access to education is a right for every child. UNICEF has worked with the government and partners for decades to increase the number of children going to school. Each year of schooling increases future wages on average by 3.9%. Working at the national, provincial, community levels in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other partners, the focus should be on the most vulnerable people, particularly girls, to combat the lack of learning caused by poverty, discrimination, and conflict.