The importance of the role of education in Islam

By Samer Majzoub (a Seminar given at Concordia University “summer of 2001)


Education is the one of the most important subjects that was, is and will be discussed and talked about during the course of our lives. This is due to the magnitude and the importance of this issue and its outcomes for us and for our society. Those in the field of education, philosophers, Academics and many others have gotten involved in this subject. Those who really had huge influence on the definition of education were the Prophets themselves. And if we talk about The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and the first Quranic Verse revealed to him “Iqraa” which means “read, recite or rehearse” and the surah keeps on saying “He “Allah” who taught (the use of) Pen”..”Taught man which he knew not”. These Honorable Verses talk about both reading and teaching (knowledge). Those Verses from surah Al Alaq shows very clearly how much “education” has that high level in Islam, where Allah Has chosen to start with His last revelation (the Quran al Sharif) to mankind.

Islam’s perceptive of education goes beyond the traditional understanding that education is just matter of schooling the generations for a limited number of years. This schooling process conventionally starts at Kindergarten and ends at the University level. And it covers the academic needs of an individual to let him/her well equipped for the every day life.

Islam relates the concept of education and its implications to this life and hereafter. Thus, this concept focuses on a wider range of basics that covers the traditional academic element plus the moral and spiritual aspects of oneself. The ultimate objective is to build up an individual that is characterized with a proper Islamic character equipped with noble means to live and have success in this life in descent and respectful manner, which according to Islam will have very positive implications on this individual in the hereafter.

Islam looks on education as a continuous process and as a life time project, the prophet عليه الصلاة و السلام said in this regard اطلب العلم من المهد الى اللحد the meaning of the Hadith is “ask over (and over) for education from the time you born till your death…
One of the Verses of the honorable Quran says:
Oh my Lord Advance me in Knowledge …This verse is a supplication request to Allah for continuous increase and improvement in our knowledge. These two examples and many others show that Islam calls on its followers to constantly quest for education that includes both the legal (Islamic jurisdiction) and contemporary teachings.

Islamic Schools:

The first educational school in Islam was the Mosque. “The Mosque institution was first established by the Prophet Mohammad (peace upon Him) and later it was the top priority of Muslims through history. It used to be the place where the communities got their sources of education and information.

Due to many factors, mainly to the confrontation in the medieval ages in Europe between the church and the European culture movement, the idea of secular school that is separated from the “religious authorities” came into light. After decades of the colonialism domination in the Islamic World the idea of separate school entity became a reality.

However, since Islam is a way of life and where there is no contradiction between education and Islam as was clarified before, the necessity of what is known as “Islamic School” shored up. The goal of the School, apart from simple delivery of knowledge and
Know-how focuses on constructing an Islamic and committed character proud of its identity. Where building a solid identity is the core of any potential success.

Why Islamic schools in Montreal:

In our modern life, there are three main elements that continuously play a major role in the formation and shaping of any ones character. The three elements are; family, school and society. From here comes the necessity for having Islamic schools in our city, Montreal, and other places too. The (main objective of the school is to assist in preparing our youth, In addition to the traditional academic qualifications, to integrate with the surrounding society in what we call positive integration. An integration that will not lead to the isolation of our community, quiet opposite, we push our youth to be part of the general public contributing positively to the society while keeping they’re distinguishing and distinctive character as Muslims. Such as, encouraging our students to volunteer in social centers during the summer.

As The Prophet (peace be upon him) once said “ The Muslim is a beauty mark amongst the people”

Principles and values taught in the Islamic Schools:

All the supreme principles of Islam are being taught directly and indirectly in our schools. Principles and values such as; brotherhood, universality of Islam, righteousness, justice, honesty, what is permissible and allowable in Islam and what is not, promotion of identity, positive integration., consultation, involvement of our sisters in general activities…..etc are taught and educated trough direct lecturing in the moral classes, Friday’s Kutbas, and many other occasions. And those morals are planted indirectly in our youth through creating an environment in the schools where relationships, norms, dealings and all other forms of human relations are based on Islamic model. Some quick examples on the Islamic model that we work on: The morning du’ua, salat al Jamaa, Friday prayer, the Islamic Salute (salaam alaykom), the fact that the students can sit around and talk about Islam comfortably with their friends, the fact that our students always try to bring Islam as a solution to any controversy or problem, the real “Ramadan environment” in the month of Ramadan. Where you see most of our students reading Koran, following halakat that are organized by their fellow friends and having common iftars. The school becomes virtually one big family.

Our schools have zero tolerance policy on violence, drugs, alcohol and sexual relations. By eliminating these four destructive elements from any school surrounding, one have already shaped a peaceful atmosphere where the students can shift their focuses into what is more constructive effort to develop productive results for their future.

On the other hand, we seek to build up an Islamic character for every student. In a way where the student looks at Islam as more than simple few worshiping rituals. Islam should be considered by our new generation as a system of life. A System characterized with rules and recommendations that guides and influences every aspect of our lives.

We do stress on our students to be involved and be part of the general public. To contribute positively to this society by respecting other cultures, being descent and respecting the law of the land. And this summer some of our students will be volunteering in hospitals, daycare centers and other social places. This with keeping themselves identified as Muslims part of this society.

Promoting brotherhood and the universality of Islam. Our students come from almost every Islamic country in the world. From Turkey, the Arab World, Fiji, Afghanistan and South Africa, almost every corner of the World. We indeed practice the actual universality and brotherhood of Islam. Our extra curricular activities are always based on Islamic causes and never on the nationalistic level. An example of these activities is a recent exhibition on Palestine. Out of the ninety-three students that worked for two weeks on this exposition, only two were originally from Palestine and the rest were from other Islamic origins.

We encourage and endorse our sisters’ involvement and participation at every function in the school. For the last two years, it was a sister who chaired MSA chapter at the campus. A special award given this year by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec was to one of the sisters at Secondary five. The School’s most distinguished student of the year was also a sister from Secondary five. We explain how the relation ship between both sexes boys and girls should be. And create an environment where they can practically see how both can work together in an Islamically appropriate manner. Where both genders work together in the activities of the school, while trying to keep distance and respecting the Islamic instruction of al Moukhalatah by avoiding direct touch, unnecessary conversation on un-Islamic subjects, avoiding using of bad words…

Conclusion:

There is huge need for methodical education system. A system that gives the generations of the global society the proper materialistic information, the spiritual awareness of why we are as mankind live on this earth, and the competence of knowledge to be positive contributors to building this universe.