What is the Islamic Education?
Allah SWT commanded His Messenger ﷺ in the first verse ‘Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists)’
(Al-Alaq 96:1) اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ العلق
The word ‘Iqra’ literally means to ‘read’ or ‘recite’. The object of this proclamation is understood to be the message of Islam, but in a more general sense, whenever one begins thinking about education, and its relation to the Deen of Islam, it is this verse which springs to mind.
Islamic education comprises a set of concepts and tenets pertaining to human nature, creed, intellect, and attitude, along with spiritual and physical values, all entwined in unified perceptual framework and relying, entirely, in its fundamentals and morals on the Quran and Sunnah. Through Islamic education, individuals are educated and cultured following an all-encompassing method that involves all aspects mentioned, without compromising any, or giving primacy of one over the other.
Islam placed a high value on education, and, as the faith spread among diverse peoples, education became an important channel through which to create a universal and cohesive social order. Islamic education is the kind of purposeful education that seeks to develop and shape the Muslim identity, society and the entire Muslim Ummah that has been assigned the mission of Allah’s viceregency on the earth. It essentially derives its schemes, principles and uppermost aims from the Islamic Shariah; a fact which deems the calls for developing an Islamic education without adapting the spirit of the Islamic teachings as null and void.
Islamic education equips individuals with the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of the modern world while staying true to their faith. It helps them understand the Islamic perspective on various contemporary issues and guides them in making informed decisions. It is not just about memorizing verses from the Quran or learning Arabic. It is about developing a strong connection with Allah SWT, understanding the teachings of the prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and living a lifestyle that is in accordance with Islamic principles.