Part 9

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* Bukhari and Muslim

5 dirhams and dinars: originally, silver and gold coins; both are also contemporary units of currency in some countries

66 Knowledge and education in Islam

These Qur’anic verses and hadiths clearly demonstrate the * significance of gaining knowledge as well as teaching it to others. Islam is a religion of knowledge as it is associated with many virtues and merits. It is one of the most noble aspects a human can strive for, and the most honourable to attain. Knowledge comes before action and there is no action without knowledge.

The meaning of knowledge

Most Muslims, however, do not understand the true meaning of knowledge and the fact that there are several types. It is often assumed that the above-mentioned hadith of the Prophet (zz) refers to all knowledge, both worldly and religious, and that they are lumped together into one large category. One may hear others say, “My son or daughter needs to go to a secular high school or college because knowledge is an obligation for Muslims.” While this may seem acceptable on the surface, a more detailed analysis will reveal some weaknesses.

An important distinction that has been made by Islamic scholars is between knowledge that is a personal obligation and knowledge that is a communal obligation. The first type of knowledge is that which is obligatory upon each and every individual. This would include basic knowledge of the religion, including beliefs (‘aqeedah) and practices (prayer, fasting, poor due, social relations, and so forth). The second type of knowledge is that which is compulsory on some members of the Muslim society, but not all. It is a communal obligation that is lifted once some members of the community have fulfilled it. For example, if some members of the community become doctors to take care of the sick, then the rest of the

Nurturing Eemén in Children 67

community is absolved from this responsibility; if no one becomes a doctor, then the whole community is held responsible. This category would include detailed knowledge of Islam and Shariah, medicine, education, engineering, and so on.

These points related to knowledge need to be emphasized for parents, particularly those who feel that educating themselves about Islam is not important. As noted above, the acquisition of knowledge is an obligation for both men and women. One of the primary duties of parents is to take care of their children, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Education is a key factor in all of this with the goal of raising healthy, knowledgeable, and strong Muslims. It is probably even more important for women due to their position in the family. Teaching can be direct, such as study circle at home or in the mosque, but much of it will be indirect, through modelling and observation. The mother, through her continual contact with other family members, has the potential to be an excellent teacher. Most of

* this can be done simply by learning about Islam and implementing its

8 Sunnah: the practice and collected sayings of Prophet Muhammad (bpuh) that together with the Quran forms the basis of Islamic law

68 Knowledge and education in Islam

wisdom. Children learn a great deal by watching those around them, particularly their parents. For example, a child who sees her mother wearing the hijab” (modest dress), reading the Qur’an, and praying on time is likely to follow this example and find it less of a struggle than one who has never seen her parent do any of these. Modelling and observation are powerful forces and the mother is a critical factor in this prescription.

This does not in any way negate the role of the father in educating his children. Fathers should understand the importance of education as well and cooperate with the mother in providing an Islamic learning environment. As husband and wife, they should encourage one another to learn on a continuous basis and share newly acquired knowledge with each other. Reading the Qur’an, hadiths and books; attending study circles; listening to lectures; participating in Islamic conferences, and finding trustworthy websites about Islam on the Internet are all ways that couples can nourish one another’s intellectual growth. When this is shared together, it can help to strengthen and enhance the marital relationship.

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Other types of knowledge can then be built upon this solid foundation. As a matter of fact, any worldly knowledge should always be connected to the original sources of Islam, the Qur’an and the Sunnah. For example, how could one study natural science without linking it to Allah’s wisdom, perfection, and order in the universe, and to the scientific miracles of the Qur’an? A student could not study business without understanding the Islamic perspectives on economics, finance, and management. To study psychology would mean to first understand what the Creator has stated about His creation, for He knows us better than we know ourselves.

It is also important to recognize that knowledge that contradicts Islam or the principles of Islam is completely unacceptable. It is prohibited to learn philosophies and beliefs that are contrary to the principles of Islam. Sending our children to a secular school, for example, poses the serious danger of exposing our children to distorted belief systems and practices. In addition, it gives the message that religion is only a compartment of life and that we can understand other disciplines without reference to religion. Religion in these types of schools is given less of a priority, if any at all, than science and other subjects. Religion of any type may, in fact, be ridiculed and debased in such a system.

"' Bukhari and Muslim

70 Knowledge and education in Islam

4 we Ais Te Maer,

ameresrel| €So whatever thing you have been given — it is but [for] enjoyment

of the worldly life. But what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who have believed and rely upon their Lord.} (Quran 42: 36)

More than knowledge alone

The acquisition of knowledge is obviously not the only necessary element in our journey through life. All of the knowledge in the world would mean nothing if it was not connected to eeman, taqwa, sincerity, and belief in the oneness of Allah. There are many people who have knowledge, but who are still on the wrong path. If we have all of these other components, the understanding that we gain in our search for knowledge will help us to know which road to take to Allah and how to avoid dangerous and harmful situations. The important thing to remember is that we are responsible for our children and will be held accountable for what we have (or have not) taught them. To preserve our religion, we must educate ourselves and our children. The strength of the Muslim community is directly tied to the level of knowledge of its members.

The Arabic language is the language of the Noble Qur’an, the language of the Hadith, and the language of Islam. An individual cannot truly reach the depths of knowledge and comprehension of Islam without the Arabic language. Shaykh al-Islam!? Ibn Taymiyah said,

The Arabic language is from the religion, and the knowledge of

"2 An honorary title meaning ‘Scholar of Islam’ (Editor)

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it is an obligation. For surely the understanding of the Qur’an and the Sunnah is an obligation, and these two are not understood except through understanding the Arabic language, and whatever obligation is not fulfilled except by certain steps, then those steps themselves become obligatory (to fulfil of the initial obligation).'*

Knowledge of the Arabic language is essential for every Muslim to understand the principles of faith and belief, to perform religious acts of worship, and to be proficient in the recitation of the Noble Qur’an.

Allah mentions the Arabic language in several places in the Qur’an:

‘Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might €A Book whose verses have been detailed, an Arabic Qur’an for a

€And indeed, it [the Qur’an] is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds. The Trustworthy Spirit [Gabriel] has brought it down upon your heart, [O Muhammad] — that you may be of the warners — in a

It is sad to see that Muslims in our time seem to have forgotten ” the significance of this message and the important role of the Arabic

'S Ibn Taymiyah, The Necessity of the Straight Path, vol. 1, p. 470, quoted in AlBaatilee, 2006

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language. You will find Muslims spending thousands of dollars for their children to learn a foreign language, while at the same time ignoring the language of revelation. The younger generations have * been brainwashed to think that the Arabic language is outdated and insignificant for modern times. Attempts are made to marginalize Arabic in the scientific and the pragmatic aspects of our lives by putting foreign languages before it and using these languages to teach in every subject. For this reason and others, young people have turned away from the Arabic language to focus their energies on more ‘worldly’ knowledge. Amazingly, you will actually find Muslims in Arab countries who cannot speak, read, or write Arabic.