The Need for Islamic Education According to the Qur'an and the Sunnah
The Need
For Islamic Education
According To
The Quran And Sunnah
By
Dr. Norlain bint
Muhammad Dindang
(Note: The Author is now using
her real family name instead of her husband's family name (Mababaya) in
conformity with Islamic value -- i.e., for woman to retain her own
family name even after marriage.)
Contents
I. The Great
Teacher and Educator of Mankind
II. The Importance of Education
III. The Relevant Curriculum
IV. The Need for Education Based on the Qur'an
and the Sunnah
V. Allâh Commends Those who are Endowed with
Knowledge and Promises Them Everlasting Rewards
VI. Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.s.)
Inspired Those who Acquire Knowledge of Islam
VII. Non-Formal Education through Da’wah
VIII. Supplications for Useful Knowledge
IX. Conclusions and Recommendations
I. The Great
Teacher and Educator of Mankind
Islâm stands
as the most rational and precise religion that Allâh (swt) has given to
the whole mankind. It gives importance to education, which is the
process of teaching and acquiring or learning knowledge (which
includes beliefs, values, attitudes, manners and skills). In
fact,
Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) not only as His Final Messenger
and the Seal of the Prophets (Qur’an, 33: 40)
but also as
the Great Teacher (Educator) to mankind. Our Rabb
(Cherisher and Sustainer) sent him to teach humanity the Qur'an and the
Sunnah:
“Just
as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you
Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and Wisdom
(Prophet's Sunnah) and teaching you that which you did not
know.” (Qur’an, 2:151)
“Certainly
did Allah confer (great) favor upon the believers when He sent among
them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and
purifying them and teaching them the Book (the Qur'an) and wisdom (the
Sunnah) although they had been before in manifest error.”
(Qur’an, 3:164)
“It
is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves
reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the
Book (the Qur'an) and wisdom (the Sunnah) although they had been before
in manifest error.” (Qur’an, 62:2)
The
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said that he was sent as a teacher. He clearly
said:
“Allah
has not sent me as a self-opinionated (messenger) nor to make others
self-opinionated; but as
a teacher and to
facilitate things for people.” (Muslim)
In
another authentic hadith, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
stressed his having been sent as a teacher:
Abdullah
ibn Amir (r.a.) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) happened to
pass by two groups (of Muslims) in the mosque and he said:
“Both of them
are good, but one is superior to the other. One group is supplicating
Allah and praying Him. If He so wills He will confer upon them and if
He so wills He will withhold. So far as those who are acquiring the
understanding of religion and its knowledge and are busy in teaching
the ignorant, they are superior. Verily, I have been
sent as a teacher.” He
then sat down amongst them. (Tirmidhi, 257 and Darimi)
As the
universal teacher to mankind, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) possesses an
exalted standard of character (i.e., sublime morals) (68:4) and is an
excellent example for us to follow. Allah (s.w.t.) says:
“Indeed
in Allah’s Messenger (Muhammad) you have an excellent example to follow
for him who hopes in (meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and
remembers Allah much.” (33:21)
In an
authentic
Hadîth we read that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) himself said:
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said,
“I have been sent (as a Messenger) in the best of all generations of
Adam’s offspring since the Creation.” (Bukhari 4/757)
Prophet
Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), Allah's universal Messenger to all
mankind
(Qur’an, 34: 28), was the unlettered
Prophet (Qur’an, 7: 157) who received the Message by inspiration
(Qur’an, 6:145 and 29:45). He had come with the very Truth, and he
confirmed the messages of the Messengers before him (Qur’an, 37: 37).
He was Allah's Mercy for all creatures (21: 107) for he taught us the
Qur'an and the Sunnah
(62:2).
It is
significant to note that the first revelation that Allâh (swt) revealed
to His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.) for the guidance of mankind pertains to
reading -- Surah Al-Iqra, which is Chapter 96 of the Qur'an.
Iqra means "Read". This is in line with the Prophet's
universal role as the teacher (educator) to mankind. Allah (swt)
has commanded not only His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
who
is our Great Teacher but also
the
whole mankind to read in His name, meaning to learn knowledge of Islam
for His pleasure. Part of the Surah Al-Iqra is translated
as follows:
“Read!
In the name of your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), Who created —
created man, out of a leech-like clot: Read! And your Rabb is Most
Bountiful. He Who taught (the use of) the Pen, taught man that which he
knew not.” (Qur'an, 96:1-5)
When we
follow the divine commandment to read, we learn in the
Qur’ân that aside from reading, Allâh commands us: to
know (e.g., 2:194, 196, 203, 223, 235 and 14:52) to learn
(e.g., 6: 151, 9:122, 12:2, 22:46 and 54, 40:58 and 68:37), to
understand (e.g., 2:44, 6:32, 7:169, 10:16, 11:51, 12:109, 21:10, 40:67,
43:3, 47:24 and 57:17), to ponder (4: 82 and
23:68) or contemplate (38:29),
and even to ask questions (i.e., 10:94 and 43:45). To know,
learn, understand, ponder or contemplate, as well as to ask questions
constitute what we called the learning process in education. With
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) as Allah's universal teacher and the fact
that Allah has enjoined us to learn Islam purely based on the Qur'an
and the Sunnah as taught by His Great Messenger (s.a.w.s.), we see the
educational aspect of Islam as a complete process of teaching and
learning knowledge based on Allah's Divine Guidance. Allah is the One
who bestows knowledge and wisdom to whom He pleases. Successful are
those whom Allah gives knowledge and wisdom. Allah the Exalted
says:
“He
grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted
receives indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message
but men of understanding.” (Qur'an, 2: 269)
In line
with the above inspiring verse, the world's great teacher and educator,
Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.s.) , likewise inspired us to learn knowledge of
Islam in order to be able to play a role in Islam that pleases
Allah. The following authentic Hadith states:
‘Abdur
Rahman bin Abi Bakra’s father
(r.a.)
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said:
“If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the
religion and of course knowledge is attained by learning.” (Bukhari
1/67)
II. The Importance of Education
Education
in Islam plays important role in developing every individual (male or
female) to be successful in realizing the very purpose of man's
creation -- i.e., to worship Allah until death:
“I
created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me.”
(Qur'an 51:56)
“And
worship your
Rabb until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (i.e.,
death).” (Qur'an 15:99)
The
performance of Salât (five times daily obligatory prayers)
serves as the foundation of Islam. Without it there is no Islam.
A person who
abandons the prescribed compulsory prayers is not considered a Muslim:
Jabir
(r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Between a person and
disbelief is discarding prayer.” (Ahmad, Muslim Abu Dawud and Ibn
Majah)
Burayda
ibn Al-Hasib (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “The pact between us
and them is prayer. Whoever abandons it is a unbeliever.” (Ahmad, Abu
Dawud Tirmidhi 574, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)
Worship (Ibaadah)
in Islam does
not only mean the prescribed prayers. It is a
comprehensive term as Islam is not only a religion but also a
comprehensive way of life.
Shaikh-ul-Islam
Ibn Taimiyah (may Allah have mercy in him) explained the meaning of
worship as follows:
Al-Ibaadah (worship) is a
comprehensive term that encompasses everything that Allâh loves and is
pleased with of statements and actions, outward and inward.
Therefore, prayer, Zakaat, fasting, pilgrimage, true speech,
fulfilling trusts, being kind to parents, keeping the ties of kin,
fulfilling promises, ordering good, eradicating evil, making Jihaad
against the disbelievers and hypocrites, being good to one’s neighbor,
orphans, poor, wayfarers and owned beings of humans and animals,
supplications, remembrance of Allâh, reading the Qur’ân and so forth
are all examples of acts of worship. Similarly, loving Allâh and
His Messenger, having fear of Allâh, turning unto Allâh, making one’s
religion pure for Allâh alone, being patient with what He has decreed,
thanking Him for His bounties, being pleased with His Preordainment,
putting one’s trust in Him, hoping for His mercy, fearing His
punishment and so forth are all forms of worship. (Abdullah bin
Jarullah Al-Jarullah, The Delight of Faith”. Darussalam
Publishers and Distributors, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,1996.)
According
to Prof. Dr. Umar S. Al-Ashqar in his book "Belief in Allah in the
Light of the Qur'an and Sunnah", published by the International Islamic
Publishing House, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2000,
Ibaadah
has three pillars
or essential components:
1) Purity of
intention (ikhlaas): whereby a
person seeks the Face of his Rabb and the Hereafter...If there is no
purity of intention, good deeds are invalidated.
2) Sincerity (Sidq): What we
mean by sincerity is sincere resolve, whereby a person strives to obey
the commands of Allah and avoid that which He has prohibited, to
prepare himself to meet Him and to avoid feeling helpless or being too
lazy to obey Allah.
3) Following the
Messenger (s.aw.s.): So a person
does not worship Allah except according to what Allah has prescribed
and what the Messenger (s.aw.s.) brought. When people worship
their Rabb without knowledge, this is bid'ah against which the
Messenger (s.aw.s.) warned us, and condemned those who do it, and said
that doing it is misguidance. He said "Every newly-invented
thing (in religion) is a bid'ah and every bid'ah
is a going astray, and every going astray is in the Fire." The one who
does acts of bid'ah will have his action rejected and it
will not be accepted from him. (pp. 422-423)
By
performing all the acts of worship as defined in the Qur'an and the
Sunnah, the worshipper actually attains total personality development
and, hence, success. Islâm is
unique as it truly guides people to succeed both in this world and the
world Hereafter. It teaches us the authentic knowledge of
attaining real success in the everlasting world to come -- a
fruitful success indeed in terms of the underlying eternal
rewards. Allâh the Almighty says in the Qur’ân:
“Let
there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good
(i.e., Islâm), enjoining what is right (Islâmic monotheism), and
forbidding what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief, etc.): they are the
ones who are the successful.” (Qur'an 3:104)
“But
those who believe and do deeds of righteousness. We shall soon
admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, to dwell therein
forever. Allâh’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be
truer than Allâh’s?” (Qur'an 4:122)
“The
believers, men and women, are protectors one of another. They
enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil. They observe regular
prayers practice regular charity and obey Allâh and His
Messenger. On them will Allâh pour His mercy: for Allâh is Exalted
in power Wise. Allâh has promised the believers, men and women, gardens
under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in
gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good
Pleasure of Allâh: that is the supreme success.” (Qur'an 9:71-72)
“Those
who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the
remembrance of Allâh: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allâh do
hearts find satisfaction. For those who believe and work righteousness
is (every) blessedness and a beautiful place of (final) return.” (Qur'an
13:28-29)
“The
only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allâh
and His Messenger to judge between them is they say: ‘We hear and we
obey.’ And such are the successful. And whoever obeys Allâh
and His Messenger, such are the successful.” (Qur'an
24:51-52)
Verily,
the Righteous (they will be) in a position of Security, among Gardens
and Springs; dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade they will face
each other; and We shall join them to Companions with beautiful big and
lustrous eyes. There can they call for every kind of fruit in peace and
security; nor will they there taste death except the first death.
And He will save them from the Torment of the Blazing Fire as a bounty
from your Rabb! That will be the supreme success!” (Qur'an
44: 51- 57)
From the
above Qur’ânic
Ayât (Verses), we can conclude that the successful are
those (men and women) who believe and do righteous deeds. They are the
righteous believers who call people to Islâm (i.e., enjoin what is
right and forbid what is wrong). They are those who obey Allâh (swt)
and His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.). They will be saved from the torment of
the Hell-Fire and dwell in Paradise forever. They will have the
greatest bliss to see Allâh (swt).
In line
with the above Qur'anic verses are the following authentic Ahadîth,
which guide us to the right ways of attaining success:
Abu
Hurairah
(r.a.)
(radhiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said “Whoever
believes in Allâh and His Messenger (s.a.w.s.), offers prayers
perfectly and fasts (the month of) Ramadan then it is incumbent upon
Allâh to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allâh’s
cause or stays in the land where he was born.” They (the
companions of the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said “O Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)! Should we not inform the
people of that?” He said “There are one-hundred degrees in
Paradise which Allâh has prepared for those who carry on Jihad in His
Cause. The distance between every two degrees is like the distance
between the sky and the Earth. So if you ask Allâh for anything,
ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the last part of Paradise and the
highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of
Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise.”
(Bukhâri 9/519)
Abû
Hurairah
(r.a.) (or Abû
Said Al Khudri, r.a.) narrated that …Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
remarked, “I
bear testimony that there is no god but Allâh and I am the Messenger of
Allâh. The man who meets his Rabb without harboring any doubt about
these two (truths) will never be kept away from Paradise.”
(Muslim 42)
It is
narrated on the authority of Abu Ayyub
(r.a.)
that a man
came to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and said “Direct me to a deed which
draws me near to Paradise and takes me away from the Fire (of
Hell).” Upon this he (s.a.w.s.) said “You worship Allâh and never
associate anything with Him, establish prayer, and pay Zakat, and do
good to your kin. When he turned his back, Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
remarked: if he adheres to what he has been ordered to do, he would
enter Paradise.” (Muslim 1/13)
Abdullâh
ibn Amr ibn Al’As
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
said “He is successful who has accepted Islâm, who has
been provided with sufficient for his want and been made contented by
Allâh with what He has given him.” (Muslim 2293)
Abû
Dharr
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said “He has been
successful whose heart Allâh has made sincere towards faith, whose
heart He has made free from unbelief, his tongue truthful, his soul
calm, his nature straight, whose ear He has made attentive and his eye
observant. The ear is a funnel and the eye is a repository for what the
heart learns. He is successful whose heart is made
retentive.” (Tirmidhî 5200, Ahmad and Bayhaqi)
The
quoted Ahadîth
(plural of hadîth) clearly tell us that the
successful are those who sincerely believe in Allâh
(swt) and
His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
and
do righteous deeds. In other words, the successful are those who
faithfully follow Islâm as a religion and a complete way of life. Thus,
only authentic knowledge of the Qur’ân and the Sunnah provides
explicit and perfect guidance to attaining eternal success. This
is because Islâm is the true religion from Allâh, the Only God and
Creator of the Worlds. Allâh the Almighty tells us in the Qur’ân:
“Truly
the Religion before Allâh (swt)s Islâm (submission to His Will).
Those who were given the Scripture (the Jews and the Christians) did
not differ except out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to
them. But if any denies the Signs of Allâh, Allâh (swt)s swift in
calling to account.” (Qur'an 3:19)
As the
true religion, Islâm tells us that the only true guidance is the
guidance of Allâh (swt). It is Allâh
(swt) Alone
Who guides people to the Truth and the Right Way:
“...Say:
‘True guidance is the is the guidance of Allâh ... All bounties are in
the hands of Allâh. He grants them to whom He pleases. And
Allâh cares for all and He knows all things.” (Qur'an 3:73)
“This
is the Guidance of Allâh. He gives that guidance to whom He
pleases, of His servants if they were to join other gods with Him, all
that they did would be vain for them.” (Qur'an 6:88)
“Those
to whom Allâh wills to guide, He opens their breast to Islâm.
Those whom He wills to leave straying, He makes their breast close and
constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies; thus does Allâh
lay abomination on those who refuse to believe.” (Qur'an
6:125)
“Whom
Allâh does guide, he is on the right path. Whom He rejects from
His guidance, such are the persons who lose.” (Qur'an
7:178)
Allâh’s
Guidance, therefore is the key to success both in this world and the
life Hereafter. To be successful, we must know how to seek
Allâh’s Guidance and the best way to attain this is to have authentic
knowledge of Islâm. We have to have sufficient knowledge of the
Qur’ân and the Sunnah so that we know how to practice Islâm
wholeheartedly and share it to others for the sole pleasure of Allâh
(swt). Indeed, education plays a very vital role in providing authentic
knowledge of Islam -- one that is based on the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.
It can train every individual who seeks for true success both in this
world and in the life hereafter to practice Islam and share it to
others.
To be
able to please Allah (swt), we need to know how to worship Him
according to the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah. This means that
we need authentic knowledge of Islam. Education to be relevant to
the needs of the Muslims, must therefore offer the right curriculum in
accordance with the very purpose of man's creation. That
curriculum has to teach knowledge as taught to us by Allah's Messenger
and Prophet, Muhammad (s.a.w.s.). The world's Great Teacher and
Educator defined knowledge succinctly as shown in the following Ahâdîth:
Abdullah
ibn Amir ibn Al As
(r.a.)
narrated that
Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“Knowledge consists of three things: the decisive verses (Qur’an),
authentic Hadith and prescriptions rightly deduced from the two.
What is beside them is superfluous (extra).” (Ibn Majah
1/54)
‘Abdullâh
ibn Amir ibn Al-As
(r.a.)
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“Knowledge has
three categories; anything else is extra; a precise verse, or an
established Sunnah (practice), or a firm obligatory duty.” (Abu
Daud, 2879)
Shayk
‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) in his book
"Knowledge" defined knowledge comprehensively as follows:
“Knowledge consists of
many branches, but according to the scholars of Islam: “What is meant
by knowledge in the absolute sense is Islamic knowledge.”
This is
the intended meaning of knowledge in the book of Allah and the Sunnah
of His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.). In
the absolute sense, it is knowledge regarding Allah, His names and
attributes, knowledge of His rights over His creation, and what He, the
One free from all defects, the Most High, has prescribed for them. It
is the detailed knowledge of the path that leads to Allah;
knowledge of the purpose of our creation;
and the end which the slave will result in, in the Hereafter.
...The
greatest and most excellent knowledge is that which pertains to
Allah, His names, and His attributes, and this knowledge is known as `aqeedah
(belief). Indeed to Allah, the exalted and Supreme, belongs the
best example which is the highest description in every aspect of His
essence, names, attributes and actions.
Following
this is that which is related to Allah’s right over His creation, what
He has prescribed upon them. Following this is what supports and
bonds it in understanding such as knowledge of the principles of
Arabic, Islamic terminology, principles of
fiqh, haadeeth (and its) methodology and other sciences which are
connected to this knowledge, which assist it in both understanding and
precision.
The
biography of the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.),
Islamic history, biography of the narrators of hadeeth and of the
scholars of Islam are also part of this knowledge (pp. 4-5).
In
brief, Shayk bin Baaz defined knowledge as “Allah said...” and “The
Messenger said...” which is called
Ilm Shar; it is the knowledge of the Book of Allah and the
Sunnah of His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.) and
all that assist its understanding (1995, p.15).
From the
Islamic point of view we can, therefore, say that
knowledge means
the knowledge of the Qur’an and the Sunnah and all that we can deduce
from the two as well as those that assist us in understanding them.
To be
able to attain a responsive and relevant education, schools,
colleges, universities and other learning institutions (whether
formal or non-formal) must give importance to Islamic curriculum.
It must impart to its learners knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah
(authentic Ahâdîth) as well the right deductions from these two
revealed knowledge. Only in this way that education attains its
role in developing every human being to fulfill the very purpose of
life -- to worship Allah (Qur'an 51:56); and, thus, attain success both
in this world and in the life Hereafter.
One very
important subject that has been ignored by educators and curriculum
makers is the subject on Da'wah according to the Qur'an and the
Sunnah. This subject is supposed to be taught starting at least
in the high school level where the learner has to learn the
characteristics of a da'ee (one who invites others to Islam);
the knowledge to be conveyed to others; and the methodology or
techniques of delivering the message of Islam (or inviting others to
Islam) in the light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. By offering
this important subject, let say in the senior high school, the student
even if he/she desires not to pursue college or higher education, at
least learns the basics of doing Da'wah. This subject has to be taught
extensively in college not only those who choose Islamic Studies as
their specialized field of studies or course but also to all Muslim
students. One of the most important duties that we must know in
Islâm is the obligation to do Da’wah. Da’wah is the
very Sunnah and the very essence of the Prophet’s mission,
which we must also follow as Muslims. Allah the Almighty says:
“Obey
Allâh and obey the Messenger and beware (of evil): if you do turn back
know you that it is Our Messenger’s duty to convey (the Message) in the
clearest manner.” (5:92)
“Say
(O Muhammad): ‘This is my Way; I do invite unto Allâh with
certain knowledge.” I and whoever follows me (must also
invite others to the Oneness of Allâh with sure knowledge). Glory to
Allâh! And I am not of the polytheists.’” (12: 108)
In this
contemporary world, where there are more extra knowledge (non-Islamic
subjects) being offered in most existing schools and institutions for
the Muslims than Islamic knowledge (Qur'an and Sunnah), it is
imperative for Muslim educators, curriculum and educational policy
makers to be united and work for the Islamization of knowledge.
Knowing
the importance of Islamic education, Muslim scholars particularly those
based in the International Institute of Islamic Thought, Herndon,
Virginia, USA propose the idea of the Islamization of knowledge.
Dr. Alwani proposes a cultural strategy which must firmly establish
Islam and its vision, not through limited classes on `religion’ but
throughout the entire education system. According to him every syllabus
and program must aim at forming and establishing this belief; we must
clear every syllabus of anything that contradicts or opposes this
belief. This could be done by reorganizing the education system
in all Muslim countries and removing the negative influences of the
disparity between religious, secular, civil and military education...to
end the segmentation of knowledge. This could be achieved by
integrating all existing systems and creating one single system based
on the teachings, spirit and vision of Islam. The new education system,
its syllabi and methods, and those responsible for it, should all be
infused with the principles and aims of Islam (1989, p. 12).
Educators
and curriculum makers need to understand the importance of Islamic
education and thus support the implementation of the idea of Islamizing
knowledge that are non-Islamic or considered as extra knowledge.
Mankind need to learn that Islam, as the rational religion and the
complete way of life for the whole humanity is never against science
and technology and other useful knowledge that develop man's economic
and material development and prosperity. Neither is it against
other disciplines (e.g., foreign language, human behavior,
administration, organization, management) that help build and foster
socio-cultural understanding between and among individuals and groups;
and universal peaceful co-existence of peace-loving nations and states.
What Islam does not like is a knowledge that is not beneficial to man's
material and spiritual well-being:
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“The knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out
of which nothing is spent in the cause of Allâh.” (Tirmidhi
280)
Islam is
a religion and a complete way of life that offers a well-balanced way
of life. It guides us to strive hard to enjoy the material
comfort, socio-cultural understanding and universal peace and
prosperity in this world and at the same time to develop our spiritual
aspects of life in order to enjoy everlasting peace, happiness and
ultimate success in the life Hereafter. Allâh the Most High says
in His Glorious Book:
“But
seek the wealth which Allâh has bestowed on you, the Home of the
Hereafter, nor forget your portion in this World. But do good, as Allâh
has been good to you, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the
land; for Allâh loves not those who do mischief.”
(28:77)
“And
when the prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land,
and seek of the Bounty of Allâh: and remember Allâh frequently that you
may prosper.” (62:10)
As part
of Allâh’s divine guidance, we also read in the Qur’ân the following
brief but comprehensive supplication for a well-balanced life:
(“Rabbana
atina fey dunia hasanah wa feyl akhiratty hasanah waqina addab
annar.”) “Our
Rabb! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter. And
save us from the torment of the Fire!” (2:201)
Likewise,
Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
taught
us to supplicate to Allâh for a well-balanced life. Let us take
guidance to supplicate for a well-balanced life from the following
authentic Ahâdîth:
‘Abdullâh
bin Jabir (r.a.) narrated that he heard Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
say: “There is an hour during the night in which no Muslim individual
will ask Allâh for good in this world and the next without His giving
it to him; and that applies to every night.” (Muslim
1654)
‘Abdullâh
bin As-Sa’ib
(r.a.)
narrated: “I heard Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said
“Say between the two corners, 'O Allâh, bring us a blessing in
this world and a blessing in the next and guard us from punishment of
Hell.'” (Abu Dawud 1887)
Abu
Hurairah
(r.a.)
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said
“Seventy angels have been put in charge of it (i.e. the Yamani corner),
so if anyone says, 'O Allâh, I ask You for pardon and
well-being in this world and the next; our Rabb, bring us a blessing in
this world and a blessing in the next, and guard us from the punishment
of Hell', they will say Ameen.” (Tirmidhi 2590 and Ibn Majah)
Knowledge
that teaches and develops the learners for a well-balanced life
constitutes the relevant education that every sensible individual who
truly wants success must strive for. It is the good education
which the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said is the best thing that a parent has
to give to his child:
Amr bin
Sa’id or Sa’id bin Al-‘As
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’ Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “A father gives his child nothing better than a good
education.” (Tirmidhi 4977 and Baihaqi)
Given
the choice, however, between the life in this world and the life in the
Hereafter, Islâm teaches us to choose the eternal life in the
Hereafter. Islâm inspires the righteous believers with ultimate success
in paradise and gives clear admonitions to the unbelievers of their
severe and eternal punishments in the hell-fire. It guides
mankind to know and understand that life in this world is nothing
compared to the life in the Hereafter. Allâh, the Almighty, tells
us:
“Nothing
is the life of this world but play and amusement. But for better is the
Home in the Hereafter for those who are pious. Will you not then
understand?” (6:32)
“Allâh
does enlarge, or grant by (strict) measure, the Sustenance (which He
gives) to whom He pleases. They rejoice in the life of this world: but
the life of this world is nothing but little comfort compared to the
Hereafter.” (13:26)
Allâh
the Exalted emphasizes that the life of this world is deceiving
(6:130). Many people love this fleeting life and neglect the Hereafter
(75:20-21). Those who desire the life of the present and its glitter
will suffer in the Fire in the Hereafter (11:15-16). Those who wish for
the transitory things (of this life), Allâh will grant them such things
as He wills, to such persons as He wills. In the end, however, He has
provided for them punishment in Hell. They will burn therein, disgraced
and rejected (17:18). Our Creator makes it clear that supreme
success is the eternal life in Paradise and that the dwellers of
Paradise are the ones who are indeed successful:
“For
them Allâh has got ready Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to
dwell therein for ever. That is the supreme success.”
(9:89)
“They
will never taste death therein except the first death (of this
world). And He will save them from the Torment of the Blazing
Fire as a bounty from your Rabb! That will be the supreme
success!” (44:56, 57)
“Not
equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the
Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be
successful.” (59:20)
Education,
to be effective, must have a relevant curriculum that develops the
learners not only to enjoy the comfort of this material and temporary
world but most of all to be spiritually and morally prepared for the
eternal life Hereafter. Teachers and educators and everybody in the
educational system must take admonition from the following Ahâdîth:
Abdullâh
ibn Mas’ud (r.a.) said that if the people of knowledge were to preserve
it and impart it to those who were worthy of it they will most
certainly be the leaders of their age by virtue of it. But they passed
it on to the people of the world to attain thereby some portion of
their world, so they fell in their estimation. I heard Allâh’s
Messenger (s.a.w.s.) saying: “Whoever centers all his thoughts upon one
object, viz. the thought of the Hereafter, Allâh will provide him with
the worldly needs, and he whose whole distraction is worldly ends,
Allâh does not care in what wilderness of the world he
perishes.” (Tirmidhi 263 and Ibn Majah)
Anas
bin Malik and Zayd bin Thabit (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.) said “If anyone’s intention is to seek the
hereafter, Allâh will place his sufficiency in his heart and
order his affairs, and the world will come to him submissively; but if
anyone’s intention is to seek worldly good Allâh will place poverty
before him and disorder his affairs, and only so much of it as has been
ordained for him will come to him.” (Tirmidhi 5320, Ahmad
and Darimi)
IV.
The Need for Education Based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah
Knowing
the importance of education, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) enjoined us to
acquire knowledge and teach it to the people. The following authentic Ahâdîth
tell us how our Great Teacher and Educator (s.a.w.s.)
stressed the need for education based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah:
`Abdullah
ibn Mas`ud narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Do not wish to
be like anyone except in two cases. (The first is) a person whom
Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously; (the second is)
the one whom Allah has given wisdom (the Holy Qur’an) and he acts
according to it and teaches it to others.” (Bukhari, 1/73 and 1/ 255)
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh's Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
said “Learn the obligatory acts and the Qur’ân and teach them to
the people, for I am a mortal.” (Tirmidhi 244)
Abdullâh
ibn Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said to
me, “Acquire the knowledge and impart it to the people. Acquire
the knowledge of Fara'id (laws of inheritance) and teach it to the
people. Learn the Qur’ân and teach it to the people; for I am a
person who has to depart this world. And the knowledge will be
taken away and turmoil will appear to such an extent that two people
will not agree in regard to a case of inheritance distribution and find
none who would decide between them.” (Tirmidhi 279, Darimi
and Daraqutni)
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated...that Umar bin 'Abdul 'Aziz (r.a.)
wrote to Abu Bakr bin Hazm, “Look for the knowledge of Hadîth and get
it written, as I am afraid that religious knowledge will vanish and the
religious learned men will pass away (die). Do not accept anything save
the Ahâdîth of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.). Circulate knowledge and teach
the ignorant, for knowledge does not vanish except when it is kept
secretly (to oneself).” (Bukhâri 1/98)
For our
success, we need to learn knowledge as defined by the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.) -- i.e., one that is based on the Qur'an and the
Sunnah and the right deductions from these two revealed
knowledge. Whatever authentic Islamic knowledge that we learn, we
must make efforts, try our very best to share it to others.
V.
Allâh Commends Those
who are Endowed with Knowledge and Promises Them Everlasting Rewards
Allâh
(swt)
not only commands the whole mankind to seek knowledge but
also commends those who are knowledgeable. He encourages the
learned by promising them tremendous rewards. The following Ayât
(Qur'anic Verses) state:
“He
grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted
receives indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message
but men of understanding.” (2: 269)
“...Allâh
will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who
believe and have been granted Knowledge. And Allâh is
well-acquainted with all you do.” (58:11)
Allâh
(swt) has
honored and extolled the people who possess knowledge of Islâm.
He has raised their status high by including them among with those who
bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but
Allâh. He the Almighty says:
“Allâh
bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the
angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He is
always) maintaining His Creation in justice. None has the right
to be worshipped but He, the Almighty the All-Wise.” (3:18)
In
another verse, Allâh
(swt)
tells us that “Only those who have knowledge among His
slaves that fear Allâh...” (35:28). In return for
their being god-fearing, Allâh is pleased with them. They receive
Allâh’s admonition. Allâh the Exalted tells us in His Book:
“On
the other hand for those who fear their Rabb are gardens with rivers
flowing beneath therein are they to dwell (for ever) a gift from the
presence of Allâh and that which is in the presence of Allâh is the
best (bliss) for the righteous.”
(3:198)
“O
you who believe! If you fear Allâh, He will grant you a criterion
(to judge between right and wrong) remove from you (all) evil (that may
afflict) you and forgive you: for Allâh is the Rabb of grace
unbounded.” (8:29)
“As
for those who fear their Rabb Unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a
great Reward.” (67:12)
Is
then one who does know that, that which has been Revealed unto you from
your Rabb is the Truth, like the one who is blind? It is those
who are endowed with understanding that receive admonition; those
who fulfill the Covenant of Allâh and fail not in their plighted word;
those who join together those things, which Allâh has commanded to be
joined, hold their Rabb in awe, and fear the terrible reckoning; those
who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Creator;
establish regular prayers, spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed
for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good:
for such there is the final attainment of the (eternal) Home.
Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there as well as the
righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their offspring and
angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation)
“Peace unto you for that you persevered in patience!
Now how excellent is the final Home!” (13:19-24)
When we
acquire knowledge of Islâm we learn not only the divine purpose why
Allâh
(swt) has
created us but also understand the meaning of this temporary world, and
how we should prepare our lives to enjoy the everlasting life in the
hereafter. We know that only when we peacefully and completely
submit to Allâh, believe and fear in Him, follow and obey His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.), do righteous deeds for the sole purpose of pleasing Him
alone, and subsequently refrain from committing sins do we attain
salvation. When we acquire knowledge we are assured of
Allâh’s everlasting reward. We gain Allâh’s protection from
the terrible punishments in the hell-fire that await those who do not
believe because they are devoid of wisdom. For our benefit we
should strive to acquire knowledge of Islam because Allâh makes it very
clear that those who know are not equal with those who do not
know. He tells us:
“Is
one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night prostrating
himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter,
and who places his hope in the Mercy of his God—like one who does
not? Say: 'Are those equal, those who know and those who do
not know?” It is those who are endowed with understanding that
receive admonition.'” (39:9)
VI. Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.s.) Inspired
Those who Acquire Knowledge of Islâm, the Scholars and Those Who Teach
It to Others
In
line with Allah's commandment for us to acquire knowledge of
Islâm, the
Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
also inspired
those who acquire knowledge of Islâm, the knowledgeable or the
scholars and those who teach it to others. Let us take
inspirations from the following narrations of Ahâdîth:
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that...the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,
“Those who were the best in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance will be
the best in Islâm provided they comprehend the religious
knowledge.” (Bukhâri 4/572 and Muslim)
Abu
Musa (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “The example of
guidance and knowledge with which Allâh has sent me is like abundant
rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed
rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And)
another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allâh
benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making
their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for
cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold
the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits).
The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allâh’s religion
and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allâh has revealed through
me. The Prophet learns and then teaches others. The last example is
that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allâh’s
guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.).”
(Bukhâri 1/79)
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that... the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,
“... He who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allâh will make
that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who
assemble in one of the houses of Allâh (mosques), recite the Book of
Allâh and learn and teach the Qur’ân (among themselves). There will
descend upon them tranquility, mercy will cover them, the angels will
surround them and Allâh will mention them in the presence of those near
Him. He who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (long) descent does
not make him go ahead.” (Muslim 6518)
Abu
Umama (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “A learned
person is as much above a worshipper as I am above the least of you. He
added: Allâh, His angels and all those in Heavens and on Earth, even
the ants in their hills and the fish in the water, call down blessings
on those who instruct people in beneficial knowledge.”
(Tirmidhi 1392)
Abu
Hurairah
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“Verily what a believer continues to receive (in the form of reward)
for his action and his virtues after his death is the knowledge which
he acquired and then disseminate; the pious son that he left
behind him, or a copy of the Qur’ân which he left as a legacy, or the
mosques that he had built, or the inn that he had built for the
wayfarers, or the canal that he caused to flow, or a
sadaqah which he gave out of his property in the state when he was
healthy and alive. (These are the acts of goodness the reward of which)
reaches him even after his death.” (Tirmidhi 254 and
Ibn Majah)
Abdullâh
ibn Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said,
“There are two avaricious people who are never contented: the man of
learning and the man of the world, but the two are not equal. The man
of knowledge increases in submission to Allâh, and as for the man of
the world, he becomes headstrong and defiant.”
Abdullâh then recited: ‘Nay man is surely rebellious when he sees
himself free from want.’ (46:6). Concerning the other he recited
the verse: ‘Surely those of His servants who are possessed of
knowledge, fear Allâh.’ (35:28).” (Tirmidhi 261 and Darimi)
Abu
Darda (r.a.) narrated that Kathir ibn Qays said, “I was sitting with
Abu Darda' in the mosque of Damascus. A man came to him and
said, “Abu Darda, I have come to you from the town of the Allâh’s
Messenger (s.a.w.s.) for a tradition that I have heard you relate from
the Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.). I have come for no other
purpose.” He said, “I heard Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) say: ‘If
anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allâh will cause him
to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their
wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the
inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep
waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the
learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when
it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of
the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving
only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion.’”
(Abu Dawud 3634)
Al
Hasan Al Basrit narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said,
“The superiority of a scholar, who observes the prescribed prayer and
then sits down to teach people goodness, over the worshipper, who
observes fast during the day and worships during the night, is like my
superiority over the lowest in rank amongst
you.” (Tirmidhi 250)
Anas
ibn Malik (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “Do
you know who is most generous?” They said, “Allâh and His Messenger
know best.” Whereupon he said, “Allâh is the Most Generous,
then I am most generous to mankind, and the most generous people after
me would be those who will acquire knowledge and then disseminate it…”
(Tirmidhi 259)
Hasan
Al-Basri (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “He
whom death overtakes while he is engaged in acquiring knowledge with a
view to reviving Islâm with the help of it, there will be one degree
between him and the Prophets in Paradise.” (Tirmidhi 249
and Darimi)
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that he heard Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
as saying: “He who comes to this mosque of mine and he comes only
to learn or teach a khayr (good, i.e. the Qur’ân and the Sunnah),
his status is like that of one who strives in the cause of Allâh. He
who comes for any other motive, his status is like that of a person who
covets the property of another.” (Tirmidhi 742, Ibn
Majah and Bayhaqi)
Uthman
ibn Affan (r.a.) reported that Allah’s Messenger said,
“The most excellent amongst you is he who acquires knowledge of the
Qur’an and then passes it on (to others).” (Ibn Majah, Vol. 1,
Hadith 212)
The
narrated authentic Ahâdîth from the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
are very inspiring. It is for us to follow them in order to
attain the blessings and rewards that are associated to the acquisition
and imparting of Islamic knowledge or in short, what the the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said as good education.
We
should be inspired to teach what we know of Islâm with the following ayah:
“But
teach (the Message): for teaching benefits the Believers.”
(51:55)
In line
with our obligation to teach what we know of Islâm, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) encouraged
us to teach and be
good teachers:
Abdullâh
ibn Amir
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s
Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
happened to pass by two groups (of Muslims) in the mosque and he said,
“Both of them are good, but one is superior to the other. One
group is supplicating Allâh and praying Him. If He so wills He will
confer upon them and if He so wills He will withhold. So far as those
who are acquiring the understanding of religion and its knowledge and
are busy in teaching the ignorant, they are superior. Verily I have
been sent as a teacher.” He then sat down amongst them. (Tirmidhi
257 and Darimi)
Abu
Humamah Al- Bahili
(r.a.)
narrated that mention was made to Allâh’s
Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
of two
persons: the one being a devout, and the other being a scholar.
Thereupon Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“The superiority of the scholar over the devout is like my superiority
over one who is of the lowest rank amongst you. Then Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “Verily (for the scholars) Allâh and His angels, the dwellers of
the Heavens and of the Earth, even an ant in its hole and fish (in the
depth of water) invoke blessings on one who teaches people goodness.”
(Tirmidhi
213)
With all
the inspiring Islamic teachings on the virtues of learning and teaching
what we know of Islam, it becomes imperative for us Muslims to strive
hard to seek for Islamic knowledge the way our Prophet and Great
Teacher (s.a.w.s.) taught us. We should continuously seek
knowledge, no matter how young or old we are as to do so is a
characteristic of a believer. The following Hadîth should
inspire us to continuously seek for Islamic knowledge:
Abu
Said Al-Khudri
(r.a.)
narrated that Allah’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“A believer is never satiated with gainful knowledge; he goes acquiring
it till his death and entry into Paradise.” (Tirmidhi 222)
It is
for our success that we learn the knowledge (according to the Qur'an
and the Sunnah) that our Great Educator
(s.a.w.s.)
taught us. Islamic knowledge is actually the best education
because of its relevance to our success both in this world and the life
Hereafter.
What we
know of Islam, it is imperative that we share it to others. We must
further know that Islâm warns the learned among us from concealing our
knowledge. The Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
admonished
us as narrated in the following Hadîth:
Abu
Hurairah
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “He who is asked about knowledge and conceals it will be bridled
on the Day of Judgment with a bridle of fire.” (Abu Dawud 3650,
Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja)
VII.
Non-Formal Education
through Da’wah
We have
to try teaching Islâm to the best of our capacity. We can teach
Islam to others both through formal and non-formal education.
Non-formal education includes: 1) conducting lectures to individual
and/or groups; 2) writing books, articles, letters, etc. on
Islam; 3) having Islamic website; 4) distributing reading
materials (by e-mail or posts) that will enlighten others of the True
Religion, Islam in its authentic form. In this manner they will
learn to know Islam especially the worship of the Only True God,
Allah and be able to obey adhere to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.s.).
An
example of non-formal education is Da'wah or calling or inviting
people to Islam for the pleasure of Allah the Almighty. While
Allâh
(swt)
makes it very clear that there is no compulsion in
religion for Truth stands out clear from Error...(2:256) He, however,
enjoins the Muslim believers to do Da’wah (to invite all to
Islâm) in order to lead the whole mankind to the true and perfect
religion. He
(swt) commands:
“Let
there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is
good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is
wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity.” (3:104)
“Invite
(all) to the Way of your Rabb (i.e., Islâm) with wisdom and beautiful
preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious:
for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who
receive guidance.” (16:125)
In line
with the Qur’ânic injunctions to do Da’wah, the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
also enjoined us to invite others to Islâm:
Abu
Bakra
(r.a.)
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said ... “It is incumbent upon those who are present to convey this
message (of mine) to those who are absent. May be that some of
those to whom it will be conveyed will understand it better than those
who have actually heard it.” (Bukhâri 5/688, 1/67 and 2/797)
Abdullâh
Bin ‘Amr
(r.a.)
narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single
Ayah (verse)...” (Bukhâri 4/667)
We
should be inspired to do
Da’wah.
Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.) not
only encouraged us to seek knowledge in order to convey Islâm to others
but also invoked prayer for those who learn and transmit Islâmic
knowledge to others:
Abdullâh
Ibn Mas’ud
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “May Allâh be well pleased with the servant
who heard our words, remembered them, retained them well and then
passed them on to others. How many scholars are there who are the
scholars of religion without having an understanding of it, and how
many scholars of religion are there who convey knowledge to those who
are well versed compared with them. There are three things on account
of which no rancor enters a Muslim heart: the sincerity of purpose for
Allâh’s sake, seeking goodness for the Muslims and adhering to their
main body (jama'ah), for their prayers encompass them all
round.” (Tirmidhi 228)
If we do
Da’wah for the pleasure of Allâh, our only Rabb
(Cherisher and Sustainer) will reward us
prosperous lives. Allâh the Exalted not only commends those who call
people to Islâm (41:33 and 103:1-3) but subsequently promises unlimited
rewards to them (39:33-35). Allâh the Most High says:
“Who
is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allâh, works
righteousness, and says, ‘I am one of the Muslims?’” (41:33)
“And
he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it—such are
the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for,
with their Rabb. Such is the reward of those who do good: so that
Allâh will remit from them (even) the worst in
their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of
what they have done.” (39:33-35)
Doing
da'wah to others, means that we are doing a good deed worthy of Allah's
rewards. This is one way to help others be guided to Islâm
and thus, attains Allah's pleasure and rewards. We learn from the
following authentic Ahâdîth:
Abu
Mas’ud Al-Ansari
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“…One who guides to something good has a reward similar
to that of its doer.” (Muslim 4/4665)
Abu
Hurairah
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“He who called people to righteousness, there would be reward (assured)
for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their
rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to
error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who
committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.” (Muslim 4/6470)
One of
the basic knowledge in Islâm that we should remember is to do Da’wah
according to the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. The Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
just like other prophets and messengers of Allâh before him, invited
people to the worship of One God, Allâh). Let us be reminded with
the following Qur'anic injunctions and authentic Hadith:
“Say
(O Muhammad): ‘O men! I am sent unto you all, as Allâh’s
Messenger to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth:
there is no god but He. So believe in Allâh and His
Messenger...’” (7:158)
“Say,
‘He is Allâh the One. The Eternally besought of all. He begets
not nor was He begotten and there is none comparable unto
Him.’” (112: 1-4)
Ibn
Abbas
(r.a.)
narrated that when Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
sent Mu'adh to Yemen, he said (to him), “You are going to people
of the Book. First of all invite them to worship Allâh (Alone) and when
they come to know Allâh, inform them that Allâh has enjoined on them,
five prayers in every day and night; and if they start offering these
prayers, inform them that Allâh has enjoined on them, the Zakat
(charity). And it is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given
to the poor amongst them; and if they obey you in that, take Zakat from
them and avoid (don't take) the best property of the people as
Zakat.” (Bukhâri 2/537)
In
conveying the Message of Islâm, Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
never
resorted to any other book or source of knowledge and guidance but the
Qur’ân and the Sunnah (both divine scriptures and guidance
from Allâh (swt). In fact, he rebuked one of his closest companions by
trying to refer to the Torah.
Jâbir
ibn ‘Abdullâh
(r.a.)
narrated that ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattâb
(r.a.) brought
to Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
a
copy of the Torah and said, “Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
this is a copy of the Torah.” He
(s.a.w.s.) kept quiet
and he (‘Umar) began to read it. The (color) of the face of
Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
underwent
a change; whereupon Abû Bakr
(r.a.) said,
“Would that your mother mourn you, don’t you see the face of
Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)?” ‘Umar
(r.a.) saw the face of Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
and
said, “I seek refuge with Allâh from the wrath of Allâh and the wrath
of His Messenger.” We are well pleased with Allâh as Rabb, with
Islâm as religion, and with Muhammad
(s.a.w.s.)
as
Prophet. “Whereupon Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“By Him in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, even if Moses were to
appear before you and you were to follow him, leaving me aside, you
would certainly stray into error. If (Moses) were alive (now), and he
found my prophethood, he would have definitely followed me.”
(Tirmidhî 194, Darimi and Mishkât 1/20)
The
above Hadîth shows how the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
abhorred
the use of other sources (of religious knowledge) other than what he
has left us. As reported in other hadîth the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
stressed
that we should always stick to the Qur’ân and the Sunnah and
the Sunnah of the four righteously guided Caliphs. To be
effective, Allâh the Exalted commands us to do Da’wah with
wisdom and beautiful preaching. Allâh the Most High says:
“Invite
(all) to the Way of your Rabb with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and
argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Rabb
knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive
guidance.” (16:125)
“And
do not argue with the People of the Book unless it be in a way that is
better, save with such of them as do wrong. But say, “We believe in the
Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to
you. Our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we
submit (in Islâm).” (29:46)
The
above verses also imply that as much as possible we have to avoid
argumentation and debate. It is always best to invite people to
Islâm with kind words instead of evil and insulting words. Allâh
(swt) says:
“Kind
words and forgiving of faults are better than charity followed by
injury. And Allâh is Rich (Free of all wants) and He is
most Forbearing.” (2:263)
“Allâh
does not love the utterance of evil words in public except by one who
has been wronged. Allâh is He Who hears and knows all
things.'' (4:148)
Certainly
utterance of evil words is from Satan. Allâh (swt) further tells
us:
“Say
to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best:
for Satan does sow dissension among them: for Satan is to man an avowed
enemy.” (17:53)
To avoid
argumentation and debate, we should refrain from making use of the
Bible and other sources that claimed to be “the Word of God” or
“inspired”. The use of the Bible in doing Da’wah to Christians,
in most cases, turns the Da’wah session or lecture into
argumentation and debate. Instead of listening, most Christian audience
naturally become defensive; thereby, creating an unfriendly
atmosphere. Once we resort to Bible, we allow Satan to interfere
in the course of our Da’wah. As much as possible, we Du’at
must refrain from quoting verses from the Bible as it is not the
Divine Message from Allâh (swt). Allâh the Almighty has
commanded us to obey Him and His Messenger
(s.a.w.s.). He
has enjoined upon us to know that His Messenger’s duty was to convey
the Message in the clearest manner, which he successfully did for our
guidance:
“Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger and beware (of evil): if you do turn
back know you that it is Our
Messenger’s duty to convey
(the Message) in the clearest manner.”
(5:92)
“(We
sent them) with Clear Signs and Scriptures and We have sent down unto
you (O, Muhammad also) the Message; that you may explain clearly to men
what is sent for them, and that they may give thought.”
(16:44)
“How
should they have the reminder. Seeing that a Messenger explaining
things clearly has (already) come to them.” (44:13)
Anas
(r.a.)
narrated that whenever the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
spoke a sentence (said a thing), he used to repeat it thrice so that
the people could understand it properly from him and whenever he asked
permission to enter, (he knocked the door) thrice with greeting.”
(Bukhâri 1/95)
‘Aishah
(radhiallâhu anha) narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
used to talk so clearly that if somebody wanted to count the number of
his words, he could do so.” (Bukhâri 4/768 and Muslim)
Furthermore,
the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.) advised
us to speak what is good and not to hurt or insult others. He
also enjoined us not to be angry:
Abu
Hurairah
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“Whoever believes in Allâh and the last day should talk
what is good or keep quiet; and whoever believes in Allâh
and the last day should not hurt (or insult his neighbor;
and whoever believes in Allâh and the last day should
entertain his guest generously.” (Bukhâri 8/ 485 and Muslim 3/
4286)
‘Aishah
(radhiallâhu anha) narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“The most hated person in the sight of Allâh is the most
quarrelsome person.” (Bukhâri 8/ 637)
Abu
Hurairah
(r.a.)
narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his
strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in
anger.” (Bukhâri 8 /135 and Muslim 4/6311-6314)
Abu
Hurairah
(r.a.)
narrated that a man said to the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.),
“Advise
me! The Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “Do
not be angry and furious.” The man asked (the same) again and
again, and the Prophet said in each case, “Do not be angry and
furious.” (Bukhâri 8/137)
VIII.
Supplications for Useful
Knowledge
For our
complete success, we must strive hard to learn authentic knowledge of
Islam, which is the Qur’an and the Sunnah and the right deductions from
these two revealed sources of knowledge. In this way, we can practice
it correctly and share what we know of Islam to others -- all for
the pleasure of Allâh the Almighty. Let us supplicate to Allah for
knowledge and wisdom with the supplications from the Qur'an and
authentic Ahâdîth:
“Rabbi
zidni ilma.”
(“O
my Rabb! Increase me in knowledge.” ) (20:114)
“Rabbi
habliy hukman, walhiqniy bissaalihiyn, waj-'aliy lisana ssidqin fiyl
akhirin, waj-'alniy miw warathati jannatin na'im.”
(“O my Rabb! Bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the
righteous; grant me honorable mention on the tongue of truth among the
latest (generations); make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of
Bliss.”) (26:83-84)
Umm
Salamah (Radhiallâhu anha) narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
used to say after the dawn prayer, "Allâhumma inni as’aluka ‘ilman naafi’an, wa rizqan
tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan."
(“O Allâh, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, acceptable action, and
good provision.”) (Tirmidhi 2487, Ahmad
and Ibn Majah, Ibn
As-Sunni, no. 54, Ibn Mâjah no. 920. Its chain of transmission
is good (Hasan), Ibn Al-Qaiyim
2/375)
‘Aishah
(radhiallâhu anha) narrated that when Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
awake
at night, he said, “There is no god but You, glory be to You, O Allâh,
I ask Your pardon for my sin and I ask You for Your mercy. O
Allâh! Advance me in knowledge: do not cause my heart to deviate
(from guidance) after You have guided me, and grant me mercy from
Yourself; verily, You are the Grantor.” (Abu Dawud 5043)
We
must pray to Allâh for knowledge of Islâm and other knowledge
that would benefit us not only in this temporary world, but also in the
eternal world to come, which we need to consider more important. When
we pray to Allâh for other knowledge outside of Islâm, we should pray
that such knowledge is beneficial for us. The knowledge that we seek
outside Islâmic knowledge must strengthen our understanding and
application of Islâm. It should make us better Muslims and not to
be out of Islâm. We must, therefore, refrain from knowledge that
does not benefit us. We should take admonition from the following
Ahâdîth:
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
said, “It is part of the excellence of a person’s Islâm that he should
discard that which is of no benefit to him either in this world or the
Hereafter.” (Tirmidhi 67)
Abu
Darda (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“The worst of men in the eyes of Allâh on the Day of Resurrection will
be the scholar who does not derive benefit from his
knowledge.” (Tirmidhi 268)
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger
(s.a.w.s.)
said,
“The knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out
of which nothing is spent in the cause of Allâh.”
(Tirmidhi 280)
As much
as possible, we must seek Allâh’s protection from the knowledge that
will just destroy our faith. We must include in our prayers and
supplications to Allâh the Almighty that He will protect us from such
knowledge that does not benefit us for our eternal success in the world
to come. This is a guidance that we must follow from the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.)
as
narrated in the following Ahâdîth:
Sa’id
ibn Arkam (r.a.) narrated: “I am not going to say anything but only
that which Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
used
to supplicate: ‘O Allâh, I seek refuge in You from incapacity, from
sloth, from cowardice, from miserliness, decrepitude and from torment
of the grave. O Allâh, grant to my soul the sense of righteousness and
purify it, for You are the Best Purifier thereof. You are the
Protecting friend thereof, and Guardian thereof. O Allâh, I seek refuge
in You from the knowledge which does not benefit, from the heart
that does not entertain the fear (of Allâh), from the soul that does
not feel contented and the supplication that is not
responded.’” (Muslim 6568)
Abu
Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Messenger of Allâh used to say: “O Allâh,
I seek refuge in You from four things: knowledge which does not
profit, a heart which is not submissive, a soul which has an insatiable
appetite, and a supplication which is not heard.” (Abu
Dawud 1543)
With
supplications for useful knowledge and wisdom, Islam proves to be a
complete guidance for mankind. It offers the best education with
relevant curriculum that develops every learner to have a well-balanced
life -- a life that guides everyone who sincerely submits to Allah in
Islam (according to the Qur'an and the Sunnah) to attain success,
especially supreme success in the eternal world to come.
IX. Conclusions and
Recommendations
All the
Qur'anic injunctions and authentic Ahâdîth that inspire
and enjoin every Muslim to seek for knowledge for the pleasure of Allah
(swt) indicate the need for Islamic education purely based on the
Qur'an and the Sunnah. Everyone in the society needs to play
active role in establishing schools, colleges and universities or at
least learning centers and institutions where everyone (male or female,
young or old) can learn authentic knowledge of Islam. This
is imperative as Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.s.), the world's Great
Teacher and Educator, has made seeking of knowledge an obligation to
each and every Muslim (male or female):
Anas
Ibn Malik (r.a.) reported that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)
said, “Seeking of knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim (male
or female)...” (Ibn Majah 1/224 and Tirmidhi 218)
Muslim
educators, curriculum and educational policy makers need to understand
the importance of education in truly developing every learner's total
personality development for a well-balanced life. It is the
quality of life that guides one who sincerely believes and does
righteous deeds in Islam to attain success, especially supreme
success in the eternal life to come. They need to make the
curriculum relevant to the needs of mankind by teaching the real Islam
-- one that is based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah or authentic Ahâdîth
of the world's Great Educator, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.).
This is an obligatory duty that needs to be fulfilled because as
leaders in the field of education, they are accountable to provide the
learners the necessary knowledge in fulfilling their very purpose in
life -- to worship Allah until death or throughout their lives.
They need to remember that Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.s.) enjoined us to
fulfill our accountabilities or duties to those who are under our care
and responsibilities:
Abdullah
ibn Umar (r.a.) reported that he heard the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.)
saying: “Every one of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in
his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and
responsible for them; a husband is a
guardian of his family and is responsible
for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband’s house and is
responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master’s
property and is responsible for it. A man is a guardian of his
father’s property and is responsible for it so all of you are
guardians and responsible for your
wards and things under your care (trust).” (Bukhari, 2/592,
3/73, 7/128 and Muslim Hadith 4496)
Muslim
educators, curriculum and policy makers must fulfill their duties to
make education more relevant and responsive to the needs of the Muslim
learners. They need to take admonition from the following hadith
in which the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) warned those who are entrusted with the
affairs of the Muslims but do not do their duties to uplift their
(material and spiritual) well-being. In the life Hereafter they will be
denied of entrance to
Paradise:
It
is narrated on the authority of Abu Malih that Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad
visited Ma’qil ibn Yasar in his illness. Ma’qil said to
him: I am narrating to you a Hadith which I would have never
narrated to you had I not been in death-bed. I hear Allah’s
Messenger (s.a.w.s.) say: “A ruler who has been entrusted with
the affairs of the Muslims, but he makes no endeavors (for the material
and moral uplift) and does not sincerely mean (their welfare) would not
enter
Paradise along with them.” (Muslim, 1/ 264)
Verily,
the best service that a ruler can offer to his people is Islamic
education based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Likewise, educators,
curriculum and educational policymakers can best fulfill their
obligations if they design Islamic curriculum based on authentic
knowledge of Islam.
Establishment
of Islamic education (one that is based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah)
is not only the responsibility of the educators, curriculum and
educational policymakers. It is the responsibility of all.
Everyone in the society, the parents, teachers, learners, the
government officials and its people must unite, pull their resources
(be it physical, intellectual, social assets, etc.) together to come up
with educational schools, institutions and universities that teach
Islamic education relevant to the goal that Allah the Almighty has set
for all mankind. Everyone needs to make a contribution
towards Islam as Allah promises great rewards to any one who supports
in bringing the Truth:
“And
he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it — such
are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for,
with their Rabb (Only Cherisher and Sustainer). Such is the
reward of those who do good: so that Allah will remit from them (even)
the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the
best of what they have done.” (39:33-35)
“O
you who believe if you will support (the cause of) Allah, He will
support you, and will make your foothold firm.” (47:7)
Khuraym
Bin Fatik (r.a.) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said,
“If anyone makes a contribution towards Allah’s path, seven hundred
times as much will be recorded to his credit.” (Tirmidhi 3826,
1343 and Nasa’i)
Schools,
colleges and universities offering authentic knowledge of Islam
(especially in Muslim countries) need to open their services to other
Muslims and non-Muslims who are interested to learn authentic knowledge
of Islam. This can be done through the following:
1)
giving more scholarships to poor but deserving students from other
countries, especially those who do not have access to Islamic
education, to study in their universities;
2)
establishing branches to other countries so that the students do not
have to travel;
3)
establish linkages with other universities to offer their Islamic
curriculum and other resources;
4) offer
Islamic Studies in the English language so that non-Arab speaking
learners can easily understand and learn Islam;
5) reach
out worldwide using the Internet to offer online courses or
establish open Islamic schools, colleges and universities both in the
English and Arabic language at affordable or minimal costs in order to
accommodate many poor but deserving students from various countries;
6) work
seriously to Islamize subjects outside the Qur'an and Sunnah courses,
which are useful in developing learner's knowledge and skills for a
well-balanced life; and
7)
organize themselves to come up with an international accrediting
organization (e.g., World Accreditation of Islamic Schools, Colleges
and Universities) that gives accreditation or academic recognition to
Islamic institutions that offer Islamic curriculum based on authentic
sources (i.e., Qur'an and Sunnah).
Muslim
educators, curriculum and policy makers from various countries offering
the right Islamic curriculum need to seriously consider organizing
themselves into one body that scrutinizes or reviews the curriculum of
interested institutions to be members of the international Islamic
accrediting organization. The said organization will only
recognize or give accreditation to institutions upon appropriate review
(i.e., make revisions, corrections suggestions) of the curriculum based
on the Qur'an and the Sunnah. The very proof of this is the fact
that the Qur'an is the Criterion (2:185 and 3:3-4). In fact, Al-Furqan
which means the Criterion is another name for the Qur'an. It means
“that which distinguishes truth from falsehood and right from
wrong.” Chapter 25 of the Qur'an is called Surah Al-Furqan.
It starts with the following verse:
“Blessed
is He who sent down the Criterion upon His Servant that he may be to
the worlds a warner.” (Qur’an, 25:1)
By
implementing the suggestion to have an international accrediting
organization of Islamic institutions and universities, Muslims who
truly adhere to the Qur'an and the Sunnah as well as those who want to
follow True Islam will be guided to the right Islamic
institutions. They will be protected from taking Islamic Studies
in various universities, especially in the west and non-Islamic
countries that offer Islamic Studies and similar fields, which are not
actually based on authentic knowledge of Islam.
In
addition, private individuals, organizations and institutions who are
educationally and economically capable to establish Islamic schools,
colleges and universities based on the right Islamic curriculum can be
accredited worldwide through the international Islamic accreditation
organization. This will encourage more Muslims, especially those
in non-Muslim countries or Muslim countries but are governed by secular
educational policy-makers, to establish more Islamic schools and
institutions.
It is
time to come up with international Islamic accreditation organization
so that Muslims will not be dependent with existing non-Muslim
accrediting associations. Muslims need to have an international
independent body to accredit Islamic schools, colleges and universities
worldwide. Accreditation must be based on the authenticity of the
curriculum and the learning materials (textbooks and references),
quality and effectiveness of teaching methodologies as well as delivery
method of instructions, and qualifications of teachers and
professors. All these will contribute toward quality, relevant
and responsive Islamic education -- the kind of education that will
awaken mankind to adhere to the Qur'an and the Sunnah; and thus,
develop every learner who studies Islam with the best personality for a
well-balanced life and success.
To
attain more responsive and relevant education for all Muslims and
non-Muslims who are interested to learn the Truth and attain success,
Muslims need to: 1) increase their Faith by learning Islam in its
purest form; 2) apply the knowledge in their day to day lives; 3)
unite, help one another, full their resources together to share
knowledge of Islam to others (Muslims and non-Muslims); and 4) be
patient and consistent in the course of learning Islam, applying it,
organizing or joining together to be able to share authentic Islamic
knowledge to others and the rest of mankind. In this way Muslims,
by the Grace of Allah, will become assets to their respective societies
in promoting well-balanced life; and hence, development in this world
and supreme success in the eternal world. This is a divine
guidance that Allah the Exalted gives us when He says:
“By
the time, verily man is in loss, except such as have Faith, and do
righteous deeds, and join together in the mutual enjoining of Truth,
and of patience and constancy.” (Qur’an, 103:1-3)
Time has
come that we Muslims must be conscious of our duty to Allah (swt) to
worship Him sincerely according to the Qur'an and the Sunnah by working
together to implement Islamic Education in its purest form. In
this way, we attain success both in this world and in the eternal life
Hereafter.
May
Allah, the Almighty, bless all mankind with Islam by making the Qur'an
and the Sunnah prevail in all existing Islamic schools, colleges and
universities worldwide. May He accept this work as a good deed worthy
of His rewards, especially in the Hereafter and save my parents,
my family, Muslims who in one way or the other have contributed in this
work, those who follow and invite others to follow the Prophet
(s.a.w.s) and me from the torment of the Hell-Fire. Ameen.
Dr. Norlain
bint Muhammad Dindang
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
August
27, 2003
(Jumada Al-Thani 29, 1424)