Islam and Women education

(Faiza abbas, lahore)

Islamic concept of Education is very vast and when Islam talks of acquisition of knowledge, it embraces all branches of knowledge, both religious and secular, in its fold, which are productive for the mankind and without any difference between male and female. It is essential to understand that the greatest gift of Allah? For which we are so over whelmed with gratitude? depends primarily on knowledge. Without knowledge one can’t truly receive Allah’s gift of Islam. If our knowledge is little, then we will constantly run the risk of losing that magnificent gift, which we have received unless we remain vigilant in our fight against ignorance. A person without knowledge is like someone walking along a track in complete darkness. Most likely his steps will wander aside and he easily can be deceived by shaytaan.

A number of Prophetic traditions (Hadiths) also talk directly about education being obligatory and binding in character. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Acquisition of knowledge is binding on all Muslims (both men and women without any discrimination)”. “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”. Preventing a Muslim woman from gaining an education is therefore an un-Islamic act. Therefore it becomes clear now that the Holy Qur’an has made acquisition of Education obligatory for women in the same way as in case of men, the study of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) also shows that he himself made special arrangements for the education and training of women.

Women have played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual advancement of Islam. Many Muslim women attained eminent ranks in the scientific and literary profession. History is a witness to this all. Hadith states that, “The Father, if he educates his daughter well, will enter Paradise”. Yet another Hadith states that, “A mother is a school. If she is educated, then a whole people are educated”. Studies have shown that communities with a high proportion of educated mothers have less health problems."

Women and girls have been victims of ruthless power struggles for centuries in all societies and cultures around the world. This hegemony over women has been exercised in the form of Sati, Hitobashira, Karo-Kari and the killing of witches, which are only a few to mention. Sadly, but truly, many societies including some Muslim societies continue to exercise this patriarchy in different forms such as the denial to education, unequal salaries compared to men in workplaces, forced marriages and prostitution, among many others.

In modern times, those who disapprove of girls' education are not speaking from a sound religious perspective. There is nothing in Islam which prevents the education of girls; quite the contrary as we have seen. There may be discussion and debate over the content of secular education, or the separation of boys and girls in school. However, these are issues which are possible to resolve and do not a blanket prohibition against girls' education.

“Knowledge” for a Muslim is not divided into sacred and secular, and the implication of these sayings of the Prophet, in modern terms, is that every Muslim boy or girl, man or woman, should pursue his or her education as far as it is possible, bearing in mind the words of Allah in the Qur’an: “Only those of His Servants who are learned truly, fear Allah” (Al-Quran, 35:28). The first wife of the Prophet Muhammad, Khadijah, was a successful businesswoman in her own right. The Prophet Muhammad praised the women of Madinah for their pursuit of knowledge: "How splendid were the women of the Ansar; shame did not prevent them from becoming learned in the faith."

Conclusively, the take away message in the article is that Islam promotes education, particularly girls’ education. This is 21st century and we have to change according to the time, and realized that women play an important role in the development of a nation. So, we should promote women education.

Faiza abbas
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