Giving A New Meaning To Education
- Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow
- Oct 23, 2020
- 3 min read
By Aysha Syeda, Director of Expansion
School may seem like a forceful obligation; however, recognizing it as a blessing instead of an obligation may bring a new perspective on education. In Islam, wisdom holds a high position in an individual’s life. The importance of knowledge (‘ilm) is evident many times in the Quran, such as:
"God will exalt those of you who believe and those who have knowledge to high degrees" (58:11).
So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say "O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge" (20:114).
The Quran serves as a guideline, differentiating education in Islam from other educational practices since it focuses on the individual’s spirituality and intellect and the impact on society. For instance, the origin of education came from the desire to spread religion to other faithful believers. The need to spread the religion of peace led to the beginning of reading, writing, and teaching others. This act of spreading knowledge about the Quran is also known as khutbah. In Islam, knowledge is usually split into two categories: knowledge concerning religions and knowledge related to the human and physical bodies. In other words, Islam has been a firm believer of faith and science from a very early stage. In short, what started as a journey to spread good, resulted in the establishment of expanding knowledge and its significance.
Fast-forwarding to the present day, many students wonder how to improve their studying habits. The problem lies in the intention; if one does not wish to learn, nothing they do will help them retain new information. At first glance, there may not seem like a correlation between religion and education, which is far from the truth. Instead, Allah (SWT) desires that his creations continuously seek knowledge. Therefore, if you ever feel discouraged while studying for your chemistry finals, remember Allah (SWT) is greatly pleased by those who study diligently and honestly. Nothing holds more value than fulfilling Allah’s wishes.
Another important aspect of studying is drilling a reliable schedule. No matter how you structure your schedule, make sure to center your sessions around the five daily prayers. This method not only ensures your mandatory prayers but gives you ample opportunities to make dua. “And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you’” (Quran 40:60). Allah (SWT) waits to hear our dua and aid our difficulties, so never waste a chance to make meaningful dua, whether for your next exam or your parents’ health.
Moreover, regardless of how diligently you study, never forget the value of gratitude. Most frustration results from dissatisfaction; nevertheless, have you considered counting the accomplishments you are grateful for instead of the tasks you did not complete? Start by saying Alhamdulilah whenever you resolve a problem, hit a dead-end, or everything seems to be falling apart. That one phrase will send tons of blessings your way!
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]….(14:7).
To wrap up, knowledge does not appear out of the blue, especially right before a test you did not study for. Unfortunately, no matter how much we wish to recall information we never studied, it won’t pop up in your head. I am truly sorry! However, diligence, commitment, and patience are key to finding your method of efficiently studying. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is a prime example of struggle and perseverance. “Spend the night awake in prayer, except for a little bit of sleep,” (73:2). Allah (SWT) is teaching the Prophet (ﷺ) that a purpose is fulfilled only with true dedication and hard work. Making dua and praying are crucial in the area of studying; nonetheless, actually putting in the effort is also essential.
Sources
“Islam - History of Islamic Education, Aims and Objectives of Islamic Education.”
StateUniversity.com, education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2133/Islam.html.
Siddiqui, Samana. “6 Islamic Tips for Studying for Exams.” SoundVision.com, 1 Feb. 2020,
Syed, A. “22 Study Skills from the Quran.” MuslimMatters.org, 29 May 2015,
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