PART-II

Chapter I

ISLAMIC SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

THE FIRST STUDENT OF THE WORLD:

His Creator enlightened Adam, right after his creation. Adam, the father of the human race, received the very first lesson. He is the first student in the world and the first man to begin writing. First after oral lessons writing starts. Hadith narrates that before the Most Gracious Allah created His creations, He recorded: “My Mercy will Prevail over My Wrath.” Hadith narrates that God created Pen and ordered it to write. Pen, thus, records everything that occurs on this earth and would do so until the Day of Judgement. There are three kinds of Pen:

1. THAT, WHICH WRITES ‘FATE.’

2. THAT WHICH IS USED BY ANGELS TO WRITE ACCOUNTS OF MEN’S DEEDS.

3. THAT WHICH IS USED BY HUMAN BEINGS TO RECORD THEIR OWN DEEDS.

Pen is a reward from God. Had there been no Pen, there would have been no religion. Without it, no work could have been executed properly on this earth. This is a great kindness of God that He taught His servants the unknown. From the darkness of ignorance led them to Light. He encouraged them to write which benefits them greatly. Knowledge, history, science, arts and even the divine messages are transmitted from one generation to the other through writing, and this will remain so until the end of the earth. All works of this world and hereafter would have suffered, if there were no Pen. In the Qurän God says,

1. .... BY THE PEN AND BY THE (RECORD) WHICH (MEN) WRITE, - (AL-QURÄN - 68:1).

Warriors, take oath by their swords, and consider that a great honour. God, swearing by the Pen accorded honour and dignity to the Pen and Writers. What can be more honourable in this world?

THE FRAMEWORK:

THE FIRST ORDINANCE OF GOD:

Gabriel appearing before Muhammad, said, “Iqraa (Read).” Muhammad replied, “I cannot read.” The Archangel said again, “Read.” Muhammad replied again, “I cannot read.” Then the Archangel thrice embraced Muhammad, each time saying, “Read.” With each embrace, gradually Muhammad’s soul enlightened and he recited after Gabriel the following five verses:

2. PROCLAIM! (OR READ) IN THE NAME OF THY LORD AND CHERISHER, WHO CREATED… ‘…CREATED MAN, OUT OF A (MERE) CLOT OF CONGEALED BLOOD PROCLAIM! AND THY LORD IS MOST BOUNTIFUL, … HE WHO TAUGHT (THE USE OF THE PEN, …) TAUGHT MAN THAT WHICH HE KNEW NOT (AL-QURÄN - 96: 1-5).

The verses mentioned above proclaimed three things . . . God, Man and Knowledge. If interpreted, evidently, God is the Lord of the Worlds. He created man and bestowed them with knowledge. If we intensely meditate on those verses, clearly, God is the Creator, and since He is the Creator, all eulogies are for Him. Man should worship God, and only God; and anything created cannot be worthy of worshiping. The Knowledge that made man the supreme creation of God, every Muslim man and woman must seek that. Only by acquiring knowledge, they can establish their supremacy.

THE HOLY QURÄN ON ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE:

While verse after verse of the Holy Qurän descended from the heaven onto Muhammad, reminders came for prayers and acquisition of knowledge, as well. Prayers and acquiring knowledge are compulsory for every Muslim man and woman, because knowledge is as important as are prayers; it is inseparable from all human activities, mundane or divine. Prayers are mandatory for everybody from the age of 8-9, whereas, schooling begins at 4-5.

In the Holy Qurän, repeatedly, God reminded people about ‘Prayers and Acquisition of knowledge.’ The Qurän abounds in such verses: Al-Qurän says,

3. THIS IS THE BOOK IN IT IS GUIDANCE SURE, WITHOUT DOUBT TO THOSE WHO FEAR GOD; (AL-QURÄN - 2:2).

4. HE GRANTETH WISDOM TO WHOM HE PLEASETH; AND HE TO WHOM WISDOM IS GRANTED RECEIVETH INDEED A BENEFIT OVERFLOWING; BUT NONE WILL GRASP THE MESSAGE BUT MEN OF UNDERSTANDING. (AL-QURÄN - 2:269).

5. O YE WHO BELIEVE! WHEN YOU DEAL WITH EACH OTHER, IN TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING FUTURE OBLIGATION IN A FIXED PERIOD OF TIME REDUCE THEM TO WRITING LET A SCRIBE WRITE DOWN FAITHFULLY AS BETWEEN THE PARTIES: LET NOT THE SCRIBE REFUGE TO WRITE: AS GOD HAS TAUGHT HIM TO, SO LET HIM WRITE. LET HIM WHO INCURS THE INABILITY DICTATE, BUT LET HIM FEAR HIS LORD GOD, AND NOT DIMINISH AUGHT OF WHAT HE OWES (AL-QURÄN - 2:282).

6. NOR SHOULD BELIEVERS ALL GO FORTH TOGETHER: IF A CONTINGENT FROM EVERY EXPEDITION REMAINED BEHIND, THEY COULD DEVOTE THEMSELVES TO STUDIES IN RELIGION, (AL-QURÄN - 9:122).

7. OH MY LORD! ADVANCE ME IN KNOWLEDGE (AL-QURÄN - 20:114).

8. BEFORE THIS WE WROTE IN THE PSALMS, AFTER THE MESSAGE (GIVEN TO MOSES): ‘MY SERVANTS, THE RIGHTEOUS, SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.’ (AL-QURÄN - 21:105).
9. THOSE WHO LISTEN TO THE WORD AND FOLLOW THE BEST (MEANING) IN IT: THOSE ARE THE ONES WHOM GOD HAS GUIDED, THOSE ARE THE ONE ENDUED WITH UNDERSTANDING. (AL-QURÄN - 39:18).
10. (HERE IS) A BOOK WHICH WE HAVE SENT DOWN UNTO THEE, FULL OF BLESSINGS, THAT MAY MEDITATE ON ITS SIGNS, AND THAT MEN OF UNDERSTANDING MAY RECEIVE ADMONITION (AL-QURÄN - 38:29).

11. THIS IS NO LESS THAN A MESSAGE TO (ALL) THE WORLDS (AL-QURÄN - 38:87).

12. A QURÄN IN ARABIC FOR PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND; - (AL-QURÄN - 41:3).

13. BY THE BOOK THAT MAKES THINGS CLEAR, - WE HAVE MADE IT A QURÄN IN ARABIC, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND (AND LEARN WISDOM). AND VERILY IT IS IN THE MOTHER OF THE BOOK IN OUR PRESENCE, HIGH (IN DIGNITY), FULL OF WISDOM. (AL-QURÄN - 43:2-4).

14. THESE ARE THE CLEAR EVIDENCES TO MEN, AND A GUIDANCE AND MERCY TO THOSE OF ASSURED FAITH (AL-QURÄN - 45:20).

15. (GOD) MOST GRACIOUS! IT IS HE WHO HAS TAUGHT THE QURÄN. HE HAS CREATED MAN, HE HAS TAUGHT HIM SPEECH (AND INTELLIGENCE). (AL-QURÄN - 55:1-4).

Therefore, if Muslim men and women earn expertise by acquiring knowledge, according to the Quränic instructions, then God has promised, Power, Authority, Supremacy, Wealth and Security to them. The Qurän says,

16. GOD HAS PROMISED, TO THOSE AMONG YOU WHO BELIEVE AND WORK RIGHTEOUS DEEDS, THAT HE WILL, OF A SURETY GRANT THEM IN THE LAND, INHERITANCE (OF POWER), AS HE GRANTED IT TO THOSE BEFORE THEM, THAT HE WILL ESTABLISH IN AUTHORITY THEIR RELIGION - THE ONE WHICH HE HAS CHOSEN FOR THEM; AND THAT HE WILL CHANGE (THEIR STATE), AFTER THE FEAR IN WHICH THEY (LIVED), TO ONE OF SECURITY AND PEACE: (AL-QURÄN - 24:55).

Muhammad’s (PBUH) Commands: Allah has repeatedly exhorted all men and women, in His divine Messages to enlighten them by getting education and knowledge. Following the directions of All Powerful God, Muhammad toiled all his life to eradicate ignorance. He encouraged, promoted and patronized the culture of education and science. His efforts attached great importance to learning.

SOME IMPORTANT SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD ON EDUCATION:

EDUCATION IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN.
EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY ARE DESTINED TO LIVE IN AN AGE THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM YOURS.
HE, WHO DIES WHILE SEARCHING KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM, ATTAINS MARTYRDOM.
HE WHO DIES SEARCHING FOR KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM IS A PROPHET BUT FOR A RANK.
TO GLEAN KNOWLEDGE, GO EVEN TO DISTANT CHINA.
SCHOLARS’ INK IS HOLIER THAN THE BLOOD OF A MARTYR.
THAT WHO IS LACKING KNOWLEDGE HAS NO FAITH.
ONLY STUDY COULD ENRICH KNOWLEDGE.
THE PLACE OF LEARNING IS LIKE PARADISE.
LISTENING TO THE LEARNED AND STUDYING IS BETTER THAN PRACTICING RELIGIOUS RITUALS . . . AND BETTER THAN ENFRANCHISING A THOUSAND SLAVE IS.
FIGHTING IGNORANCE IS AS IMPORTANT AS BATTLING FOR RELIGION (JIHAD).
THE SLUMBER OF A LEARNED MAN IS BETTER THAN THE WORSHIPING OF AN IGNORANT MAN
A HIBERNATING SAGE IS BETTER THAN A WORSHIPING IDIOT IS.
SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE.
IT IS BETTER TO STUDY THAN TO INDULGE IN EXCESSIVE WORSHIPING.
‘YEARN FOR KNOWLEDGE,’ ADVISED GOD.
ONE HOUR’S STUDY IS BETTER THAN ATTENDING THE FUNERAL OF A THOUSAND MARTYRS AND PRAYERS FOR A THOUSAND NIGHTS.
A LEARNED MAN IS A GREATER ENEMY OF THE DEVIL (SATAN) THAN A THOUSAND PIOUS MEN IS.
KNOWLEDGE HELP DISTINGUISH BETWEEN JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE.
TEACHING AN HOUR IN THE NIGHT IS LIKE PRAYING THE WHOLE NIGHT.
HE THAT RESPECTS THE LEARNED PAYS RESPECT TO GOD.
THE LEARNED IS THE VICE-REGENTS OF THE PROPHETS. AND AS VICE-REGENT, THEY LEARN DIRECTLY FROM THE PROPHETS.
HE WHO HELPS THE LEARNED, GOD HELPS HIM AFTER DEATH.
GOD MAKES HIS WAY EASIER TO HEAVEN WHO TRAVELS TO FIND KNOWLEDGE.
THE LEARNER IS SUPERIOR TO THE IGNORANT, LIKE THE MOON IS SUPERIOR TO ALL STARS.
ANGELS SALUTE THE EXPLORER OF KNOWLEDGE.
HE, WHO LEAVES HIS HOME SEEKING KNOWLEDGE, TAKES THE PATH OF GOD.
THE LEARNER THAT GOES OUT IN THE PURSUANCE OF KNOWLEDGE, GOD BESTOWS HIS MERCY ON HIM.
ALL THAT EXISTS IN THE PARADISE AND ON THE EARTH, AND THE FISHES DEEP DOWN IN THE SEAS, PRAY FOR THE LEARNED.
IN THE PARADISE, THE ANGELS WILL WELCOME THOSE WHO SEEK KNOWLEDGE.
THE PERSON WHO WILL CONSIDER PURSUING KNOWLEDGE HIS LIFE’S MOTTO AND THAT, WHO ENGAGED HIM TO DO SO, WILL GO TO HEAVEN.
ALLAH WILL REWARD THAT PERSON WHO WILL EDUCATE HIS SERVANTS.
KNOWLEDGE IS OUR FRIEND IN THE DESERT, IN ISOLATION OUR COMPANION AND AGAINST OUR ENEMIES OUR WEAPON.
HE WHO TEACHES EARNS THE VIRTUE OF DOING CHARITY TO THE POOR.
HE WHO TALKS ABOUT PURSUING KNOWLEDGE, HE LOVES GOD.
HE, WHO TALKS ABOUT THE PURSUANCE OF KNOWLEDGE, PRAISES GOD.
KNOWLEDGE LIGHTS THE WAY TO THE PARADISE.
THE SERVANT OF GOD EARNS THE GREATEST GIFT BY FINDING KNOWLEDGE.
HE, WHO FOUND KNOWLEDGE, PAID FOR HIS PAST SINS.
IN THE QUEST OF KNOWLEDGE, THE POOR AND THE RICH ARE EQUAL.
THE ANGELS BOW TO THOSE WHO PURSUE KNOWLEDGE.
FIND KNOWLEDGE, HE THAT FINDS KNOWLEDGE RESPECTS GOD
THE LEARNED MAN, WHO LIVES WITH THE GREAT ON THIS EARTH, HE ALSO GAINS HAPPINESS AFTER DEATH.

Once, the Prophet went to the Mosque and observed two groups, one engaged in prayers, the other learning lessons. He joined the group learning lessons, saying, “I have also been sent as a ‘Teacher’.”

NECESSITY OF STUDYING THE QURÄN

AND ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE IN OTHER DISCIPLINES:

The Holy Qurän is the complete code of life for the Muslims. Therefore, everybody, rich or poor, big and small, man or woman should study the Holy book and model their lives, accordingly. Everybody must study the Holy Qurän and understand it. If, we understand the Qurän properly then we will better comprehend the Most Merciful Allah, the mystery of His creations and Muhammad, His Prophet.
The Most Merciful, the Most Gracious, Allah in the Qurän says,

17. O YE WHO BELIEVE! APPROACH NOT PRAYERS WITH A MIND BEFOGGED, UNTIL YE CAN UNDERSTAND ALL THAT YE SAY, - . . . (AL-QURÄN - 4:43).

     In the intoxicated state people loses the sharpness of the mind and is easily confused. Ignorant persons are like the intoxicated with a foggy mind. It is therefore, necessary for everybody to study the Qurän. To do comprehend the Qurän, Arabic lessons are necessary. Because, one should at least, understand the verses recited during prayers.
    Simultaneously, Muslims should study the modern sciences and learn multiple languages. Without that knowledge, it is impossible to comprehend the Qurän, in the light of the Sciences, and the purpose of studying the Qurän would be lost. Allah the Lord of the Worlds says, “by the Qurän full of wisdom” (36:2). Those studied modern science with proficiency in Arabic, easily understand the Qurän’s contribution to the advancement of human mind and the soul. The Qurän is sent to guide the human race, to the righteous path and prevent them from going astray. The Qurän did not leave any science untouched. Mention of all branches of knowledge on earth, from Biology and Medical science to Palaeontology and Astrology, is in the Qurän. Only a scholar can discern and unravel those. Today western scientists, finding scientific intelligence imbedded in the Qurän, are overwhelmed with awe.1
    The whole of the Muslim world is in deep pit of ignorance, today. If everybody studied the Qurän, the way the Companions did and understood the messages therein, they would have been in a far better situation. The Muslims could save them from the sure destruction to which they are racing forward. Totally, absent are the devotion and the application with which the Companions prayed and did their duties. When in their prayers, nothing, including a piercing arrow would shatter their concentration.
    These Companions were people of very high calibre who did not only master the Arabic language, but also attained high levels of proficiency in other languages and branches of knowledge. They ruled the intellectual world as they did the mundane earth. It is therefore, an imperative that the Muslims to regain their stature and glory should pursue knowledge. One important lesson of the Qurän is the attainment of knowledge. This is the foundation of the religion, propagated by Muhammad. Muhammad says, “The Qurän is the leash of God (Allah), it is a guide that abounds in sophisticated knowledge and is the ‘straight way’ (Siratul-Mustaquim).” “That sinner is the worst, who recites the Qurän without any attention to its instructions or does not act, accordingly,” says the Prophet.2 He again says, “A person who completes reading the Qurän in less than three days, does not understand the meaning or cannot grasp the significance of the Qurän.” He further says, “Correctly and clearly recite the Qurän and try to comprehend its essence.”
    God, the Creator, the Sustainer of the Worlds has given instructions to do thorough research on the Qurän. Some verses of the Qurän urging research is:

18. THIS IS THE BOOK; IN IT IS GUIDANCE SURE, WITHOUT DOUBT, TO THOSE WHO FEAR GOD; (AL-QURÄN - 2: 2).
19. THERE HATH COME TO YOU FROM GOD A (NEW) LIGHT AND A PERSPICUOUS BOOK, - (AL-QURÄN - 5: 17).
20. AND THIS IS A BOOK WHICH WE REVEALED AS A BLESSING: SO FOLLOW IT AND BE RIGHTEOUS, THAT YE MAY RECEIVE MERCY: (AL-QURÄN - 6: 155).
21. (IN THE BEGINNING OF THE QURÄN GOD HAS DECLARED:) THESE ARE THE VERSES OF THE BOOK OF WISDOM. (AL-QURÄN - 10: 1).
22. WE HAVE SENT IT DOWN AS AN ARABIC QURÄN IN ORDER THAT YE MAY LEARN WISDOM. (AL-QURÄN - 12: 2).
23. A BOOK WHICH WE HAVE REVEALED UNTO THEE, IN ORDER THAT THOU MIGHTIEST LEAD MANKIND OUT OF THE DEPTHS OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT - BY THE LEAVE OF THEIR LORD - TO THE WAY OF (HIM) THE EXALTED IN POWER, WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE! - (AL-QURÄN - 14: 1).
24. WE HAVE REVEALED FOR YOU (O MEN!) A BOOK IN WHICH IS A MESSAGE FOR YOU: WILL YE NOT THEN UNDERSTAND? (AL-QURÄN - 21: 10).
25. AND THIS IS A BLESSED MESSAGE WHICH WE HAVE SENT DOWN: WILL YE THEN REJECT IT? (AL-QURÄN - 21: 50).
26. VERILY THIS IS A REVELATION FROM THE LORD OF THE WORLDS: WITH IT CAME DOWN THE SPIRIT OF FAITH AND TRUTH- TO THY HEART AND MIND, THAT THOU MAYEST ADMONISH IN THE PERSPICUOUS ARABIC TONGUE. (AL-QURÄN - 26: 192-195).
27. (HERE IS) A BOOK WHICH WE HAVE SENT DOWN UNTO THEE, FULL OF BLESSINGS, THAT MAY MEDIATE ON ITS SIGNS, AND THAT MEN OF UNDERSTANDING RECEIVE ADMONITION. (AL-QURÄN - 38: 29).
28. GOD HAS REVEALED (FROM TIME TO TIME) THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE IN THE FORM OF A BOOK, CONSISTENT WITH ITSELF, (AL-QURÄN - 39: 23).
29. (IT IS) A QURÄN IN ARABIC, WITHOUT ANY CROOKEDNESS (THEREIN): IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY GUARD AGAINST EVIL. (AL-QURÄN - 39: 28).
30. VERILY, WE HAVE MADE THIS QURÄN EASY, IN THY TONGUE, IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY GIVE HEED. (AL-QURÄN - 44: 58).
31. DO THEY NOT THEN EARNESTLY TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE QURÄN, OR ARE THEIR HEARTS LOCKED UP BY THEM? (AL-QURÄN - 47: 24).
32. VERILY THIS IS NO LESS THAN A MESSAGE TO (ALL) THE WORLDS: (WITH PROFIT) TO WHOSOEVER AMONG YOU WILLS TO GO STRAIGHT: (AL-QURÄN - 81: 27-28).

    Those, to whom this Book is sent, study it the way it should be, are the Faithful. Those who reject it are in loss.”
    In this way, God has repeatedly, urged the Faithful to study the Qurän with complete devotion and application, and learn and enrich their mind and soul. Man is the representative of God on this earth. God has compiled all instructions for man, to act in, and react to, all possible situations, in the Qurän. The Code of God guides all actions of man, from the cradle to the grave. Man should abide by that. Therefore, the study and culture of the Qurän are very important for every Muslim. The purpose is to understand the meaning of the creation, knowing God and his Prophet. What do we have from God? What can we expect from Him? What will we get from Him? All the answers to these questions are there in the Qurän. Studying the Qurän gives a clue to what to do for the peace, prosperity, and welfare of the human race. It leads man to know, to comprehend, to feel, to witness, to love, to want, and to search for the ultimate Truth. It teaches to adopt nothing but the Truth and only the Truth. Simultaneously, the Qurän also urges people to behave nicely with each other and maintain equality in treatment. To strive constantly to establish peace and enforce justice are the solemn duties of every Muslim. As the representative of God, man must conduct himself appropriately. Unshackle himself from any bondage of servitude and get liberated from his own desires, teaches the Qurän. The Qurän unequivocally says that Pride, Glory, Haughtiness, Lineage, Wealth and Social Status, none, has any value. Man has to get those knowledge and qualities that God has described in the Qurän, man ought to have, as the representative of God. Therefore, for proper guidance, it is very necessary to study the Qurän thoroughly, with attention and care.
    Today, to properly comprehend the Qurän, the non-Arabic speaking Muslims must study the Arabic language. Keeping the Qurän reverently bound in expensive Moroccan leather and kissing it a thousand times a day may give mental satisfaction, but would not serve the cause of Islam. Even reciting the Qurän a thousand times a day would not solve any problems. Therefore, with the knowledge of modern science, Muslim man and woman should study the Arabic language, too, so, that their souls may attain spiritual refinement with worldly knowledge. To accomplish that the Muslims should be sincere, like, the Prophet and the Caliphs about educating every Muslim man and woman. In addition, take effective and firm measures to accomplish that.
    In the early days of Islam, almost all adherents were Arabs. They therefore, had no difficulty in studying and understanding the divine book. Today, Islam has spread in non-Arab population of the world. The Qurän has been translated into the mother tongues of the non-Arabs; still it is necessary to learn Arabic to comprehend the meaning of the Qurän, and to gather the scientific intelligence imbedded therein. At the beginning of Islam, Arab Muslims took full advantage of the Arabic Qurän, and became experts in Arts and Sciences. They left an indelible mark of their superior qualities in government, politics, diplomacy, warfare, culture, science and arts; they influenced every field, treaded. In the later age, since, the Muslims has relegated education to a secondary position, they are dethroned from their exalted position. Nationalist non-Arab leaders, on various pretexts, curtailed the culture of Arabic language in the non-Arab Muslim nations. They advocated only the use of their local tongue for education. Consequently, the learning and culture of the Quränic language has been confined to only ritualistic use. Therefore, ordinary non-Arab-Muslims are deprived of the chance to learn Arabic and study the Qurän to enrich them. They are, hindered by the language barrier, unable to study the Book, in its full glory, packed with scientific information and benefit from it. Education and only education, both mundane and spiritual can bring success, as it did to the early Muslims.
    The Qurän is a glorious treasure teeming with knowledge. To sift that knowledge, a perfect and thorough understanding of the Qurän is needed. Muslim men and women should find the way precisely to do that. Today, the non-Muslim scientist researching on the Qurän realized that the Qurän has many indications, which was incomprehensible for the human mind, fourteen hundred years ago. With the development of modern science those hidden information are gradually becoming more understandable. With further advancement of science, more of this hidden knowledge would become transparent to the human mind. This is why the Prophet gave so much emphasis on universal education. Every Muslim Man and Woman, as Muhammad wanted, should make ‘Learning’ his or her prime duty for which he devoted all his life.

MUHAMMAD: THE TEACHER:

The Qurän says:

33. GOD DID CONFER A GREAT FAVOUR ON THE BELIEVERS WHEN HE SENT AMONG THEM AN APOSTLE FROM AMONG THEMSELVES, REHEARSING UNTO THEM THE SIGNS OF GOD, SANCTIFYING THEM, AND INSTRUCTING THEM IN SCRIPTURE AND WISDOM, . . . (AL-QURÄN - 3: 164).
34. … AND WE HAVE SENT DOWN UNTO THEE (ALSO) THE MESSAGE; THAT THOU MAYEST EXPLAIN CLEARLY TO MEN WHAT IS SENT FOR THEM, . . . (AL-QURÄN - 16: 44).
35. … AND WE HAVE SENT DOWN TO THEE THE BOOK EXPLAINING ALL THINGS, . . . (AL-QURÄN - 16: 89).
36. WE SENT THEE NOT, BUT AS A MERCY FOR ALL CREATURES. (AL-QURÄN - 21: 107).
37. WE HAVE INDEED IN THE APOSTLE OF GOD A BEAUTIFUL PATTERN (OF CONDUCT) FOR ANY ONE WHOSE HOPE IS IN GOD AND THE FINAL DAY, . . . (AL-QURÄN - 33: 21).
38. O PROPHET! TRULY WE HAVE SENT THEE AS A WITNESS, A BEARER OF GLAD TIDINGS, AND A WARNER, - AND ONE WHO INVITES TO GOD’S (GRACE) BY HIS LEAVE, AND AS LAMP SPREADING LIGHT. (AL-QURÄN - 33: 45-46).
39. NOR DOES HE SAY (AUGHT) OF (HIS OWN) DESIRE. (AL-QURÄN - 53: 3).
40. HE WAS TAUGHT BY ONE MIGHTY IN POWER, (AL-QURÄN - 53: 5).
41. ENDUED WITH WISDOM: FOR HE APPEARED (IN STATELY FORM) . . . (AL-QURÄN - 53: 6).

Those verses of the Qurän clearly show that Allah directly taught the Prophet. He therefore, did not have to depend on any education in a temporal school, under the guidance of a human teacher.

In this way, the Almighty God educated the Prophet guiding through His divine messages. All the doors of Knowledge were opened to him, and he learned and earned wisdom, in such a way, that no other human being in the universe could. To educate the people on this earth, on all subjects, ranging from science, arts to religion and morality, he was prepared by none other than Allah Himself. He, Muhammad, is the most learned man in the history of humankind. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) lessons have been illuminating the hearts of the ignorant through all ages and will do so until the doom’s day. Only the lessons given by him are complete and perfect. For the welfare and benefit of the humankind, the method of finding knowledge as prescribed by the Apostle should be adopted and his plan and strategy should be meticulously followed. That will bring peace, prosperity and happiness to all, irrespective of caste, creed and nationality.
Muslims may learn other languages, besides, the Quränic Arabic for the sake of enriching themselves. There is no bar on learning languages or studying in other languages in the Qurän. That is why the Prophet has instructed us to travel to any length to acquire knowledge. “To glean knowledge, go even to distant China,” said Muhammad. Allah in the Qurän says,

42. SAY, TRAVEL THROUGH THE EARTH AND SEE HOW GOD DID ORIGINATE CREATION; . . . (AL-QURÄN - 29: 20).

He again says, “Seest thou not that, God has made subject to you (mean) all that is on the earth, and ships that sail through the sea by His command?” The Qurän abounds in such indications. However, currently Muslims, lacking scientific knowledge, are unable to glean, and expound those to present them in the proper perspectives, for the benefit of the world. They therefore, need an education in modern science with a sound knowledge of the Arabic language.
Fourteen hundred years ago, it was very difficult to travel to China from the Arabian Desert. The only way to travel was on foot or by sea. It is very significant that even then the Prophet urged his followers to travel to China to find knowledge in a dissimilar language. The implication of this instruction is extensive. Taking the lead from this the Muslims should not shrink from undergoing any hardship for attainment of Knowledge. Clearly, this is an indication to the Muslims, for not to dissociate themselves from western education and science, which is at its Zenith, today.

After the Migration to Medïna, the Prophet, like the Ashabe Saffa, established an educational institution called, “Madrasatul Saffa,” there. Here, boarding and lodging were provided for the local and non-local students. Besides, Qurän, Hadith and Fiqah, Medicine, Astrology, and other subjects were also taught. The Prophet himself took the responsibility to teach here. Lessons, on physical exercise, horse riding and archery were also given here. Taught and prepared here, the graduates were sent out of Medïna to teach. People from different tribes came to Medïna to learn. Many Madrasas were opened in different localities, in and outside Medïna. The educational program developed into such a sophisticated system that God sent a divine message saying: “. . . In transactions involving future obligations in affixed period of time, reduce them to writing. . .” (Al-Qurän-2: 282).

It is clearly perceivable that he wanted the Muslims equally adept in all disciplines. That is obvious from the method of education adopted by the Prophet, giving equal emphasis on all branches of knowledge: Religion, Arts, Law, Science, Administration, Management, Finance, Warfare and Trade. He realized that the human race would not attain the perfection God wants them to, unless spiritual and temporal knowledge and accomplishments are combined. If all the Muslims in a country are theologians, they cannot contribute in other fields. In a Muslim country, if all the citizens were clerics then who would run other departments? Such a country would have to depend heavily on non-Muslims experts in other fields. Like, we see today, in the oil rich Arab countries, they are very dependent on alien doctors, engineers and teachers. Most of these experts are from the non-Muslim advanced countries. It is therefore, necessary that some should become engineers, doctors, teachers and lawyers while other should develop expertise in Business, Administration and Commerce. Muslims should devote their time to study, all the branches of knowledge according to the teachings of the Qurän. Only then, they could fulfil their duties to Allah and his Prophet.

In the Qurän Allah says,

43. DO THEY NOT CONSIDER THE QURÄN (WITH CARE)? (AL-QURÄN - 4: 82).

God again says,

44. DO THEY NOT THEN EARNESTLY SEEK TO UNDERSTAND THE QURÄN, OR ARE THEIR HEARTS LOCKED UP BY THEM? (AL-QURÄN - 47: 24).

In the verses quoted above, Allah invites the Muslims to contemplate and research on the Qurän, so that they can use that knowledge to the benefit of humankind. To bring peace and prosperity to the world, otherwise beset with discord and strife, Muslims must enrich themselves with knowledge. They need to delve deeper into the Qurän, to gather knowledge, and for that, they must study the Book with utmost devotion and excellent understanding of the Arabic language. “Man is the supreme creation of God”: . . . to do justice to that there is no alternative to learning perpetually. God commands man to ‘Read’. Receiving God’s divine instruction, the very first task of Muhammad was to teach his followers and encourage them to learn.

NEED OF EDUCATION AT THE BEGINNING OF ISLAM:

    At the advent of Islam, the need to read and write made education very pertinent. Very few Arabs could read or write. Nevertheless, as the divine messages descended, it became necessary to write them down or commit them to memory. Luckily, the illiterate Arabs had very sharp memory; consequently, many of them committed the verses of the Qurän to their memory as it was revealed. The literate Companions wrote the verses as they heard and retrieved them from others who committed those to memory. Later, they checked the authenticity with the Prophet, before transcribing those in to a book, arranging verses according to his instruction. This is the great holy book of God’s divine messages, the Qurän. In this way, fourteen hundred years ago, Muslims received God’s injunctions through the holy Qurän- a complete code of life. Of these injunctions, “Read” is the first. The Prophet complied with God’s instructions very faithfully.
    After the establishment of the Muslim State at Medïna, educating the illiterate population became very necessary. To run the affairs of the nascent state trained and educated staffs were needed. Orders and circulars of the state had to be drafted for circulation. Transactions of the state needed to be recorded. Correspondence within and without the country could not be carried out without educated people to write. The Yiddish used Hebrew, and Correspondence with them had to be done in Hebrew. Besides that, the international languages of the era were Habsi, Persian and Roman; it was therefore, necessary to learn those languages as well. Letters had to be written in different languages and translated from other languages into Arabic. All these were specialized jobs, and trained and literate people were needed for these tasks. There were very few educated individuals in the Arabic speaking population. Muhammad, therefore, took necessary measures with particular attention to education. He took steps to educate Muslims, not only in Arabic, but also in other international languages, in use then. So intense was his desire to educate his followers that in exchange of teaching the Medinease, freedom was offered to the prisoners of war of Badr.
    The scheme of educating Muslims began in Mecca. The Prophet immediately, on receiving God’s directions, responded by establishing “Darul Aqab” - a Madrasa - at the foot of Safa hills. Muslim children of both sexes were given regular lessons here. In view of the high illiteracy rate in the adult Arabs, arrangements were made for adult education.

LESSONS TO SERVE THE HUMANITY:

Rasulullah [the Messenger of God (PBUH)] for about twenty years, from the beginning of his adult life to the fortieth year, tirelessly tried to educate his fellow beings. He untiringly tutored his associates and consorts in ethics, righteousness, truthfulness, honesty and fairness, and inspired them to inculcate those in their lives. The greatest of the great men devoted his whole life to the service of the humanity. Long before attaining Ministry, he became known and dear to his fellow Arabs as As-Sadique (Dependable) and Al-Amin (Truthful). The heathen Arabs, for the purity of his character, his honesty, and integrity, bestowed these titles on him. For twenty years before the Ministry and then for ten long years afterwards, he had striven hard to build the character of the people. Thus he prepared them, armed them with the necessary wisdom, knowledge and strength of character to perform prayers, before prayers were made compulsory. Clearly, people need to be prepared for the duties entrusted to them. At the age of fifty, the Prophet was granted an audience with Allah, and he travelled (Më’râj) to the seventh sky to meet his Creator. While he was on tour of the seven skies, the covenant for Salat (prayers) was issued. Long before that when Muhammad at forty received his Ministry with the revelation of the verse “Read”, learning was made compulsory for all Muslims, male and female. It therefore, is certain that education was made compulsory for everybody ten years before Salat was made so.
In this manner, the Prophet, to take his followers to the peak of temporal and spiritual excellence, in succession, drew plans and executed those one after another. At first inducing modesty, politeness, trustworthiness, truthfulness, benevolence, honesty, righteousness, unity, discipline and humanity, he educated and prepared them for prayers. Only when their hearts were enlightened and they were ready, Allah commanded them to pray (Salat) five times a day. (Prayers) were made compulsory. This clearly shows that Salat should be instituted along with the enrichment of the soul by acquiring knowledge.

APPOINTMENT OF SCRIBES: EXPANSION OF EDUCATION

BY THE PROPHET:

    The Prophet created the jobs of Scribes and appointed important companions at different times in these posts, to write important instruments, documents and letters. Companions like:
Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Ali, Zubair, Amer ibn Fuhaiya, Amr ibnul Äs, Abdullah, Mu’äwiyah, Ibn Akram, Sabed, Ibn Kais, Ibn Shamman, Hamza ibn Rabiul Amadi, Mughira ibn Sheba, Abdullah ibn Rawwaha, Khalid ibn Walid, Khalid ibn Said ibnul Äs, Aala ibn Hazrami, Huzaifa ibn Yamam and Zaid ibn Sabeth (RAs) etc., adorned the posts of scribes.
    Hazrat Ali drafted the Hudaibiya Pact. Hazrat Amer ibn Fuhaiya wrote letters to Kings and Emperors and Rulers of other countries; and Ubai ibn Ka’ab wrote to the Arab Chieftains. Hazrats Ibn Kais, Zaid ibn Sabeth performed other general duties of writing letters and documents.
    The great Prophet did not stop at declaring education compulsory, he established in the desert, schools and libraries, to support his program of mass education. Even today, the Mosques are the living evidences of his efforts in the Arab lands. Here, along with prayers and spiritual exercises, intellectual activities were held and primary education was imparted, under the direct guidance of the Messenger of God. Mosques were the centres of all beneficial activities, besides, the ritual of public prayers. This was only possible for the great wisdom of the Prophet of the prophets, Mohammed (PBUH). He said, “The main objective and principal aim of learning is to attain knowledge and insight about God and His creations; to determine the duties and relationship of the Creator with His creations, and to direct personal life toward the path of Truth, to devote to the well-being of the world and to advance toward enlightenment from darkness.”
    The Mercy of God, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) descended on the earth, to propagate and augment Knowledge. For the same purpose, through him, the Qurän has been revealed. The great Prophet said, “Acquiring accurate knowledge of the Islamic canons (Shariat) is compulsory, along with that the pursuance of other branches of knowledge is permitted in Islam.” He further said, “As a universal religion and a complete code of life, only Islam can provide comprehensive knowledge and consummate solution of problems.” While the Prophet was perfect in religious knowledge, he was an expert in mundane subjects, as well. That knowledge he received through Gabriel from Allah, he bestowed on the Muslim men and women. These divine messages of Allah are recorded in the Qurän and Ahadith3 [the sayings of Muhammad], for the guidance of the Muslims and the humankind.
    During a period of twenty-three years one after another, the sacred messages of the Qurän descended. Compilation and collation of these heavenly messages was needed, to preserve them, for the posterity. It was therefore, necessary to write them down. In absence of the modern printing facilities, all books and documents were handwritten. Therefore, the Prophet just after the revelation of the first verse established the very first school of Islam, at the foot of the Safa hills, in the house of a Companion, for the disciples to get lessons, there. He went from door to door, to give the message about the importance of education, and told them that education for all males and females are compulsory in Islam. Similarly, on arrival at Medïna, he established a school with the Masjidun Nabubi, called Madrasatul Saffa. In this way, whatever the cost, the Prophet endeavoured to educate his followers, to make them ready for the celestial and terrestrial life, according to Allah’s instruction. Education was necessary to build the character of the Companions for their mundane and spiritual duties. Allama Shibli Numani in his book, entitled, ‘Siratun Nabi’, wrote, “The religious rituals would not be of any use, if a person were not honest, God fearing, and abides by the norms of Islam. And only the educated, naturally, earns the right to know the Islamic precepts and practices, which the illiterates, generally, do not deserve.”

HAZRAT ALI’S DISCOURSE ON THE MESSAGE OF THE HOLY QURÄN

The first male to accept Islam, Ali, the youngest son-in-law of the Prophet, married to his beloved daughter Fatima, the fourth Caliph, gave lectures and sermons and wrote numerous letters. An Arab man of letters, Allama as-Sayyid Abu’l-Hassan ibn al-Hussein ar-Radi al-Musawi compiled those and published as a book entitled, ‘Nahjul Balagha’. Translations of some of them are quoted below:

ALLAH APPOINTED MOHAMMED (PBUH), HIS VICE REGENT TO PROCLAIM TRUTH ON THIS EARTH. THE QURÄN WAS REVEALED TO HIM SO THAT THE HUMAN RACE COULD GATHER STRENGTH FOLLOWING THE QURÄNIC MESSAGES, AND THE IGNORANT COULD ATTAIN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GOD.
THE MESSENGER OF GOD BROUGHT A HOLY BOOK OF ALLAH, THE SUSTAINER OF THE WORLDS, IN WHICH EARLIER DIVINE BOOKS ARE ENDORSED, AND WHICH BEACONS THE PATH TO TREAD. THIS GLORIOUS BOOK IS THE QURÄN. WHAT THIS BOOK IS ABOUT? PEOPLE’S COMPREHENSION AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THIS BOOK SHOULD BE CLEAR. THIS BOOK CONTAINS TIDINGS OF THE FUTURE AND THE PAST: IT CONTAINS PRESCRIPTION FOR TREATMENT OF DISEASES AND DIRECTION FOR DUTIES.
IN THE DIVINE BOOK QURÄN, GOD HAS EXPLAINED RIGHT, WRONG, VICE AND VIRTUE: THERE IS GUIDANCE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE. GOD, THE MERCIFUL HAS SENT MOHAMMED (PBUH), HIS MESSENGER WITH THE HOLY QURÄN AND SOME COMMANDMENTS. THAT WHO SHALL FOLLOW THIS HOLY BOOK AND THE COMMANDMENTS WILL NOT BE DESTROYED EVER; BUT THOSE WHO WOULD DISOBEY, SURE WILL BE ANNIHILATED. THOSE WHO INTRODUCES NEW IDEAS FROM OUTSIDE THE QURÄN4, INVITES DESTRUCTION, AND GOD PROTECTS THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS. THERE IS SECURITY IN THE OBEDIENCE OF GOD. THAT WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THE QURÄN AND ESPOUSE INSTRUCTIONS FROM OUTSIDE THE QURÄN, WILL BE DENIED THE MERCY OF GOD ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT…
THE HOLY QURÄN COMMANDS, PROHIBITS, AND IT IS SILENT ON SOME MATTERS, ELOQUENT ON OTHERS. THIS MAGNIFICENT BOOK IS THE PROCLAMATION OF GOD FOR HIS CREATIONS. HE COMMANDED HUMAN BEINGS TO FOLLOW THIS BOOK IN ALL THEIR ACTIVITIES…
ALLAH, THE MOST EXALTED HAS SENT HIS MESSENGER WITH A BRIGHT TORCH, A PROFOUND LOGIC, AN OPEN WAY AND AN ENLIGHTENING BOOK. IN THIS BOOK, GOD HAS MENTIONED THE FORBIDDEN WAYS AND THINGS TO REFRAIN FROM. ALL INSTRUCTIONS OF GOD HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED AND PROPAGATED THROUGH HIM…
WHEN ANY DISPUTE ENSUE AMONG PEOPLE, WE REFER THAT TO THE QURÄN AS THE ARBITRATOR NOT MAN. THIS BOOK WITHIN ITS COVERS DOES NOT TALK. IT NEEDS TO BE READ AND COMPREHENDED THROUGH INTERPRETATION. EVERY MAN CAN BE AN INTERPRETER OF THE QURÄN. WHEN THE QURÄN IS CHOSEN AS THE ADJUDICATOR IN A DISPUTE THEN, IT IS OUR DUTY TO SEARCH THIS GREAT BOOK FOR SOLUTION. ALLAH IN THE QURÄN SAYS, “…AND IF YOU GET ENTANGLED IN A DISPUTE, GIVE GOD THE BURDEN OF ARBITRATION THEN TO HIS MESSENGER…”
TO DEPEND ON GOD, MEANS TO FOLLOW THE QURÄN, AND TO DEPEND ON THE MESSENGER OF GOD, MEANS TO FOLLOW HIS SUNNAT [PRACTICES OF SAYINGS OF THE PROPHET]. IN THIS WAY, IF THE QURÄN AND THE SUNNAH IS MADE THE ARBITRATOR, THEN PEACE AND HAPPINESS SHALL PREVAIL, CHAOS AND CONFUSION WILL END. GO TO PEOPLE BAFFLED WITHOUT REALIZING AND TRY TO BRING THEM TO THE TRUE PATH. THEY HAVE STRAYED FROM THE PATH OF THE HOLY BOOK AND THEREFORE, SWAYED AWAY FROM THE PATH…
HE (GOD, THE MOST EXALTED) SENT THE QURÄN TO HIS MESSENGER SO THAT FOLLOWING THE MESSAGES THEREIN, PEOPLE COULD GATHER STRENGTH AND THE IGNORANT COULD KNOW ABOUT GOD…
IN THE QURÄN, GOD SAYS, “WE HAVE NOT NEGLECTED ANYTHING IN THIS BOOK AND HAVE NOT LEFT ANYTHING UNMENTIONED.” IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT THE GLORY AND THE TREASURE OF THE QURÄN WILL NEVER DIMINISH, AND WILL REMAIN A GLOWING EXAMPLE FOR THE PEOPLE, FOREVER.
THE QURÄN IS THE ELIXIR OF LIFE FOR THE DEAD SOUL, LIGHT FOR THE BLIND, CHIME FOR THE DEAF, AND WATER FOR THE THIRSTY. EMPOWERED BY THIS HOLY SCRIPTURE, YOU CAN SEE, HEAR AND TALK. EACH WORD, SENTENCE, AND SECTION OF THIS BOOK IS ENTWINED WITH EACH OTHER, INSEPARABLY. THROUGH THE QURÄN, WE LEARN ABOUT THE ONENESS OF GOD, AND THOSE THAT ARE MISGUIDED FIND THE TRUE PATH…
ALLAH THROUGH HIS SACRED SCRIPTURE CAUTIONED HUMAN BEINGS. THOSE WHO HAVE PURE SOULS, UNIMPAIRED HEARING, FIRM BELIEF AND ARE INTELLIGENT ONLY COULD DISCERN THE MEANING OF THESE ADMONITIONS.
A BELIEVER ALWAYS FOLLOWS THE HOLY QURÄN. THE QURÄN IS HIS GUIDE, AND HE DETERMINES HIS ACTIONS, BASED ON THE INSTRUCTIONS, OF THIS SCRIPTURE…
IN THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD, MENTIONED IN THE QURÄN, HUMANKIND SHOULD FIND GUIDANCE…
GLEAN ADVANTAGE FROM THE SACRED MESSAGES OF GOD. RESPECT GOD’S ADMONITIONS AND ABIDE BY HIS ORDERS. ALLAH HAS GIVEN PERFECT LEAD TO THE TRUE PATH. HE HAS INFORMED EVERYBODY ABOUT ACTS AND DEEDS HE DISLIKES. THEREFORE, YOU DISTINCTLY KNOW WHAT TO FOLLOW…
GARNER KNOWLEDGE FROM THE QURÄN AND LEARN FROM THE FATE OF THOSE WHO ABANDONED THE QURÄN…
THOSE WHO ADORN THE SHIELD OF KNOWLEDGE, ANALYZING EVERYTHING, THEY ABIDE BY ALLAH’S INSTRUCTIONS, AND WORK AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PROPHET…

Hadith states that once the Prophet said, “I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is the door to that city.” After the above statement, there should be no question about the depth of knowledge of Hazrat Ali. He (Ali) enthusiastically invited the Muslims to live, and work, according to the laws of the Qurän. His valuable advice has not been materialized until today. That is why not only non-Arab Muslims, but also the Arab Muslims are fighting with each other. The unfortunate situation has been prevailing for a long time because of ignorance about the Qurän and its teachings. In Islam, there is no scope for monarchy. Democracy that saw its end in the heartland of Islam (Mecca & Medïna), at the death of the fourth Caliph, could not be revived until today. Ignorance and illiteracy of the population is the main reason for that. Therefore, all the men and women of the Muslim world should get educated; only then they would be able to comprehend the meaning of the Qurän, and use that to their benefit. It therefore, is necessary for every Muslim to get education, compatible to the modern scientific development and the Qurän.

COMMENTS OF DR. MAURICE BUCAILLE: THE FAMOUS FRENCH PHILOSOPHER AND AUTHOR

NO MAN CAN WRITE A BOOK LIKE THE HOLY QURÄN:

    Dr. Maurice Bucaille, after intense deliberations and reflections, in his book entitled, ‘The Bible, The Qurän and Science’, wrote, “If any expert examines the Qurän impartially, he will find that some inventions of modern science have almost mystically expounded and consigned heavenly brilliance to some verses (ayats) of the Qurän.” He further said that, in spite of, the tremendous progress of science in the modern age, most of the scientists, unable to comprehend the Qurän, scandalize and attack religion, particularly, Islam. For this reason, he has said, “In today’s perspective where knowledge is divided into branches it is an imperative that scientists of particular disciplines of knowledge should interpret respective verses of the Holy Qurän to better understand and fully comprehend those. Without their help, it is impossible to fully understand those verses impregnated with information.”
    He has further said, “It is necessary for an expert to be well versed in different disciplines of knowledge, so that a study is well coordinated. In his opinion, still there are numerous verses, which are not deciphered completely. Therefore, intensive scientific research is needed fully to understand the Holy Qurän. He has very firmly asserted that it is impossible for any man to write a book like, the Holy Qurän.”
    Another French thinker, Dr. Mardress said about the Holy Qurän: “Surely the narrative style of the Holy Qurän is the style of The Creator.” “It can be said without any hesitation that the massages given in the Holy Qurän cannot be found in any composition other than that of God’s own.”5
    Dr. Maurice Bucaille, in the introduction to the chapter ‘Qurän and Modern Science’ of his book mentioned earlier, writes: “The association between the Qurän and Science is a surprise, especially, since it is one of harmony and not of discord. The contradiction between a religious book and secular ideas proclaimed by science is perhaps, in the eyes of many people, today, is something of a paradox. The majority of today’s scientists, with a small number of exceptions, of course, are indeed bound up in materialistic theories, and have only indifference and contempt for religious questions, which they often consider to be founded on legend. In the West moreover, when science and religion are discussed, people are quite willing to mention Judaism and Christianity among the religions referred to, but they hardly ever think of Islam. So many false Judgements based on inaccurate ideas have indeed been made about Islam that today it is very difficult to form an exact notion of the reality of Islam.
    As a prelude to any confrontation between the Islamic revelation and science, it would seem essential that an outline be given of a religion that is so little known in the West.
    The totally erroneous statements, made about Islam in the West, are sometimes, are the result of ignorance and sometimes of systematic denigration. The most serious of all untruths told about Islam are however, those dealing with facts. For a while, mistaken opinions are excusable, but the presentation of facts running contrary to reality, is not. It is disturbing to read blatant untruths in eminently respectable works written by authors who a priori are highly qualified.
    Whereas monumental errors are found in the Bible, I could not find a single error in the Qurän. I had to stop and ask myself: If a man was the author of the Qurän, how could he have written facts, in the seventh century AD, that today are found to be in harmony with modern scientific knowledge? There is no doubt about it: the text of the Qurän we have today is most definitely the text of the period.
    It is an established fact that before the time of the Quränic Revelation, i.e., a period of roughly twenty years, scientific knowledge had not progressed for centuries. And the period of activity in the Islamic civilization, with its accompanying scientific upsurge, came after the end of Quränic Revelation. Only ignorance of religious and secular knowledge can lead to the bizarre suggestions that if surprising statements of scientific nature exist in the Qurän those may be accounted for by the fact that the Arab scientists were so far ahead of their times, and Muhammad was influenced by their work.” Anyone who knows anything about Islamic history is aware that the period called ‘Middle Ages’ which saw cultural and scientific upsurge in the Arab world came after Muhammad, and would not, therefore, indulge in such whims. Suggestions of this kind, particularly, are off the mark in that the majority of the scientific facts, which are either suggested or clearly recorded in the Qurän, have only been confirmed in the modern times.
    It is easy, therefore, to understand that how for centuries commentators of the Qurän (including those writing at the height of Islamic culture) have inevitably made errors of interpretation, in case of certain verses whose exact meaning could not possibly be grasped at that given time. It was not until much later, at a period not far away from our own that it was possible to translate and interpret them correctly. This implies that a thorough linguistic knowledge is not in itself sufficient to understand these verses from the Qurän. What is needed along with the knowledge of Arabic is a highly diversified knowledge of science. A study such as the present one embraces many disciplines and is encyclopaedic.”

DISCOVERIES OF NON-MUSLIM SCIENTISTS:

    To comprehend fully the Holy Qurän, it is necessary to earn expertise in all subjects and then embark on a research. If the Muslims were appropriately educated, they could have unveiled the hidden treasure of the Holy Qurän to the world. The world has come to know about the truth in the Holy Qurän only through a few non-Muslim scientists. Due to lack of education, most Muslims do not know that the modern advanced world i.e. the Christian world follows the scientific invention and discoveries of the lost glorious Muslim era. Consequently, they invented and discovered many outstanding things for the benefit of the human race. In these revolutionary discoveries electricity, locomotives, electrical appliances, airplanes, machinery, water transports and medicines are included.
    The West has benefited from the works of the Muslim scientists tremendously. Today it has risen to the pinnacle as the West has borrowed knowledge without any inhibition from the past and applied that. On the other hand, Muslims gradually sank in the depth of ignorance and in the name of religion even shunned the western knowledge. Muslims have initiated at least a few of the major inventions of modern science. Lord Bertrand Russell in his book, “The Reawakening of the East” has referred to that. It is thus evident from the writings of the western philosophers and scientists that Muslim scientists and researchers have opened the door to scientific advancement of the modern era. History bears testimony that Muslims were the pioneers in benefiting the world with some major and original inventions and discoveries. They studied and taught Physics, Astronomy, Geology, Biology and Medicine with devotion and zeal in their universities. Because of their ignorance, Muslims around the world do not know of these glorious contributions of their predecessors. The Prophet’s (PBUH) message, ‘Glean knowledge if even you have to go to China’ combined with the pursuits of knowledge by the Muslim intelligentsia in the universities amply prove that there is no conflict in Islam with science and technology
    Prophets had demonstrated many divine magical powers, Muhammad’s (PBUH) cardinal divine magical power was the Holy Qurän. Modern Muslims are ignorant about this great divine magical entity. Lack of proper knowledge, made the Muslims unable to analyze and interpret the Holy Qurän and benefit from it. Taking the opportunity, the enemies of Islam invented ways to keep them ignorant and force them into oblivion.
    It deserves mention here that Muslim scientists invented and discovered devises for the benefit of the human race while the modern scientists are developing weapons of mass destruction, which can send the human race into untold miseries. These weapons of destruction are killing thousands of innocent people, specially, the Muslims around the world.

THE HOLY QURÄN - A TREASURE OF KNOWLEDGE:

Allah had already told His Prophet through His divine messages, fourteen hundred years ago, that the non-Muslims would rule the world and attain ascendancy over Muslims, armed with education and knowledge. Modern development and understanding about the Sun, Moon, the Solar system, human and plants, everything, had been hinted at fourteen hundred years ago in Holy Qurän. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose proved that the plants and trees have lives, which has been stated in the Holy Qurän. The Holy Qurän (Al-Qurän - 55:33) also mentioned that Man would conquer the space. Besides that, there are many indications to scientific facts in the Holy Qurän that have been proven right by the modern day scientific research.

The Holy Qurän said about the creation of the universe:

45. AFTER THAT WHEN HE (GOD) LOOKED AT THE SPACE IT WAS ALL SMOKE (AL-QURÄN - 41:11).

Only recently, the modern telescopes discovered that before coming into existence the Worlds were a patch of gases. Muslims could not understand Quränic messages due to lack of scientific knowledge, but non-Muslims scientists understood the messages properly. Hundreds (fourteen) of years ago, God has told the Prophet through His divine message:

46. AND HE (GOD) HAS PUT THE SUN AND THE MOON ORBITING IN THEIR OWN TRAJECTORY UNDER MAN AND ALSO THE NIGHT AND THE DAY (AL-QURÄN - 14:33).

Through the researches of the modern science, people have come to know of the mysteries of the space. They have learnt that the Sun, the Moon and other celestial bodies that their ancestors worshiped are nothing but inert materials. Scientists are still arguing about the creation of the Universe, the Solar system and other celestial bodies and among many theories, ‘Big Bang’ theory is a popular theory. This may remain an eternal mystery for the human. The Holy Qurän says:

47. DO NOT THE UNBELIEVERS OBSERVE THAT THE HEAVENLY BODIES AND THE EARTH WAS TOGETHER AND THEN I HAVE SEPARATED THEM (AL-QURÄN - 21:30).

48. AND HE IS THAT CREATOR WHO HAS CREATED DAY AND NIGHT AND THE MOON AND THE SUN THAT MOVE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ORBITS (AL-QURÄN - 21:33).

Before Islam, Christians, the Jewish padre, and other scholars thought that the Sun rotates round the earth and they had included that in their faiths. Allah the Master of the Worlds through His messenger (PBUH) announced:

49. AND THE SUN MOVES TO ITS DESTINATION, THIS IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE MIGHTIEST AND THE ALL KNOWING (AL-QURÄN - 38:38).

50. AND FOR THE MOON I HAVE MARKED DIFFERENT STAGES, AT LAST IT TAKES THE SHAPE OF A DRIED BENT DATE PALM LEAF (AL-QURÄN - 36:39).

51. THE SUN CANNOT CATCH THE MOON AND NIGHT CANNOT OVERTAKE THE DAY, ALL MOVE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ORBITS (AL-QURÄN - 36:40).

Later, Galileo ascertained that the earth is not stationary but moves round the Sun and the Sun is stationary. Much later, scientists have discovered that the Sun is also not stationary but moves in its orbit. Scientists have ascertained that the angle of Sun’s rays on the moon causes the changes in its shape. We only see the lighted part of the moon by Sun’s light from the earth and the rest remains dark. The Holy Qurän Long ago gave all this information to Man. Facts of Astronomy, Astrology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Medicine and Geology etc. have been mentioned in the Holy Qurän.6

Modern scientists believe that millions of millions years ago, in the sea inert elements combined to form protoplasm and that evolved into one celled amoeba and thus began life on this earth. God in the Holy Qurän fourteen hundred years ago said:

52. ALLAH HAS CREATED ALL BEINGS FROM WATER, SOME OF THEM WALK ON THEIR BELLIES SOME ON TWO LEGS AND SOME ON FOUR (AL-QURÄN - 21:30; 24:45; 25:54).

Dr. Maurice Bucaille’s description according to the Holy Qurän has changed the theory of Darwin regarding the history of origin of man and its form.
On the one hand, Biologists, Botanists and Physicists have determined that that all living things are created in pairs. This is a common knowledge to the ordinary people that human beings and animals are created in pairs. However, many do not know that plants also need male and female units to reproduce. Generally, pollens of the male flowers impregnate the female flowers. Plants without one of them do not bear fruits. Similarly, in inert materials, there are negative and positive particles, that bind them together. Until the ‘Middle Ages’, this mystery of creation was unknown to science. Modern science has been able to decipher that partially. Fourteen hundred years ago, God in the Holy Qurän said:

53. HE IS SACRED AND HONOURABLE WHO HAS CREATED ALL THINGS IN PAIRS THAT WHICH SPROUT FROM THE SOIL (PLANT, TREES, HERBS AND SHRUBS) AND IS BORN (HUMAN, ANIMALS) AND THOSE ABOUT WHICH THEY DO NOT KNOW (INERT THINGS) (AL-QURÄN - 36:36).

Foremost among all the animals that are created by Allah the Provider of the Worlds are camels, buffaloes, lambs, cows, goats, rams and others that supply us with milks. Scientists, specially, Physiologists have found out how food is digested in the stomach and is assimilated through the blood. After digestion the waste product first is ejected from the body as excreta, then again the remaining impurities are extracted and expelled as urine. In this way, blood retains the pure and necessary nutrients, which are carried by it to different parts of the body. The organs of the body then assimilate the necessary nutrients as required. Udders that produce milk also receive their ingredients from the blood. From the same food, the digestive system separates waste and the nutrients efficiently and in between these processes, milk is produced. Long ago (fourteen hundred years) this very fact was mentioned in the Holy Qurän:

54. AND VERILY IN CATTLE (TOO) WILL YE FIND AN INSTRUCTIVE SIGN. FROM WHAT IS WITHIN THEIR BODIES, BETWEEN EXCRETION AND BLOOD, WE PRODUCE, FOR YOUR DRINK, MILK, PURE AND AGREEABLE TO THOSE WHO DRINK IT (AL-QURÄN - 16:66).

God again says:

55. BEHOLD! IN THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH; IN THE ALTERATION OF THE NIGHT AND THE DAY; IN THE SAILING OF THE SHIPS THROUGH THE OCEAN FOR THE PROFIT OF MANKIND; IN THE RAIN WHICH GOD SENDS DOWN FROM THE SKIES, AND THE LIFE WHICH HE GIVES THEREWITH TO AN EARTH THAT IS DEAD; IN THE BEASTS OF ALL KINDS THAT HE SCATTERS THROUGH THE EARTH; IN THE CHANGE OF THE WINDS, AND THE CLOUDS WHICH THEY TRAIL LIKE THEIR SLAVES BETWEEN THE SKY AND THE EARTH; - (HERE) INDEED ARE SIGNS FOR A PEOPLE THAT ARE WISE (AL-QURÄN - 2:164).

56. AND WE SENT DOWN IRON, IN WHICH (MATERIAL FOR) MIGHTY WAR, AS WELL AS MANY BENEFITS FOR MANKIND, (AL-QURÄN - 57:25).

57. AND SENT DOWN RAIN FROM THE HEAVENS; AND BROUGHT FORTH HEREWITH FRUITS FOR YOUR SUSTENANCE (AL-QURÄN - 2:22).

About those plants and animals which produce food for human, God said in Süra 16:66- 69, in Süra 22:5 and Süra 23:14 about the inception of a human foetus in the womb and in Süra 2:164 about rain and grains. God has asked:

58. THEN DON’T THEY STUDY THE QURÄN WITH DEVOTION (AL-QURÄN - 47:24).

In another verse, God said:

59. HE GRANTETH WISDOM TO WHOM HE PLEASETH; AND HE TO WHOM WISDOM IS GRANTED RECEIVETH INDEED A BENEFIT OVERFLOWING; BUT NONE WILL GRASP THE MESSAGE BUT MEN OF UNDERSTANDING (AL-QURÄN - 2:269).

God told us to conduct research on the Holy Qurän. However, in the modern era as the thoughtful people (non-Muslims) are the most erudite and accomplished in all respects, so consequently, God is bestowing them with power, knowledge (Hikmat) and prosperity. They are recognized as the educated and learned. Fourteen hundred years ago, God has said:

60. O YE ASSEMBLY OF JINNS AND MEN! IF IT WERE YE CAN PASS BEYOND THE ZONES OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, PASS YE! NOT WITHOUT AUTHORITY SHALL YE BE ABLE TO PASS! (AL-QURÄN - 55:33).

Peoples other than the Muslims have proven that right by conquering the Moon, since they are the people advanced in knowledge and the most accomplished in other respects.
From the verses of the Holy Qurän mentioned above and their coming true, it has been established that the Qurän is full of scientific knowledge and intelligence (Al-Qurän - 36:2). Those who will toil hard and search for knowledge in this treasure of Knowledge will benefit tremendously and rise to the pinnacle of success and accomplishments.

NEED OF EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE:

    Hazrat Ali advised: “The Holy Qurän must be learnt, researched with devotion and passion to become scientists, philosophers and experts.” This is a very important advice for the Muslims of today. The Prophet knew that to become scientists it is necessary to glean knowledge and become erudite in all fields of learning. Therefore, to begin with he (PBUH) took adequate measures to educate the Muslims, as God wanted. Education and knowledge are the basic requirements to succeed both here and hereafter. None can wish to attain success without knowledge. In this advance scientific era, it is an imperative that we arm ourselves with knowledge to give us any sorts of chances for competing with the advancing ‘West’, otherwise with each of their steps toward progress we (Muslims) would conversely go backward. As properly trained and educated population is an asset, so is the illiterate population is a burden for a nation. Devoid of education and knowledge, people are nothing but animals and they naturally behave like one. Ignorant illiterates do get involved in all sorts of illegal, unlawful and heinous activities, as they do not have a fully developed and mature perception of morality and ethics. They bring in miseries not only in their own lives and their families’ but also for the society and the nation as a whole. So naturally, the illiterate mass is a curse for the nation.
    In not only science and technology, education and knowledge is needed in all sphere of life. Educated people are respected as conscientious responsible persons for all practical purposes of a nation. For the refinement of the external and the internal capabilities of a human being, education is essential. Education is prerequisite for both spiritual and material developments of a person. Education and knowledge enriches and develops the conscience of individuals. Education inspire people for great work and good deeds, it enable them to distinguish between vice and virtue, liberate them from inferiority complex, idleness, ignorance and superstition. For a nation’s progress, development, stability and viability mass education is necessary.
    Education sharpens the faculty of thought and refines our attitudes and behaviours making us accomplished human beings. Cultured, refined, purified, wise and prepared human leaps to newer achievements and glory. The more a nation is educated the more it is glorified and respected and adorns leadership of the nations of the world. Education be gets knowledge and knowledge enlightens our minds and the souls.
    As the sculptor gives a beautiful shape to shapeless stone so, does education sharpens intellect. Education simply is the backbone of a nation. Among the numerous creation of God human is the only creation with intelligence and conscience and therefore is designated as the greatest creation (Ashraf-ul-Makhlukat) of God. They are also honoured as the representative of God on the earth. To do the duties of the vice regent God has given clear instructions to humankind through His Prophet to educate them. Therefore, according to the direction of God, Muhammad has declared education mandatory for every Muslim man and woman.

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY:

    Before the advent of Islam, the great men who propagated religion did not open their educational institutions to all. These were only open to a class consisting of a nation, a tribe or sometimes a group. No prophet of the Torah went further than Iraq, Syria or Egypt. They remained confined within their respective motherland. They propagated religion only to their own people where others were not welcome. Their invitation was not universal. Preaching for them was restricted to only Israelites. Ancient Arab prophets were responsible for only their own people. Even in the learning places of Jesus Christ, there was no place for Israelites. He only was looking for the lost lamb (Matt 7:24), and was not prepared under any circumstances to surrender the loaves to the dogs (The Holy Bible). The Indian preachers could not think of leaving the land of the Aryans. They believed in climbing to heaven by the Himalayan Mountains. However, the Buddhists sent messages to the nations outside India, but that was the works of later savants like Christianity.
    Unlike the examples cited above, in Mecca and Medïna in the Islamic educational institutions under Prophet Muhammad there were outsiders other than Quraish Abu Bakr, Omar, Zubair, Ali, Othman and Talha (RAs). To Mecca and Medïna, came Abujor and Anis of the Gifari tribe of Tohama, Yemenite Huraira, Tufail ibn Amr, Abu Musa Ashari, Ma’az ibn Jabal, Zomad Salaba from Yazd Kabila. Khabbar ibnul Arat came from Tamim tribe, and from Bahrain Abdul Kais, Munkiz ibn Harban and from Munzir tribe Ibn Ayez. Rais Obeyed and Ja’afar were from Amman. Ferwai came from the Syrian border- region, Bellal from Abyssinia, Shuaib from the Roman Empire and Salman Farsi Feroz Dalaimi from the Persian Empire, Sakhit Markud and many others came from various other countries and studied at same institution. Therefore, the Prophet’s (PBUH) institution truly assumed an international character where pupils were taught different subjects according to their ability and aptitude.
    Talented politicians like Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali (RAs) studied at this institution. They held sway over a vast empire from the West to the East reaching from the Africa continent to India with such adroitness that it overshadowed all other great powers like Persian and the Roman Empires. Against the brilliance of their just and dignified reign, Persian and Roman systems lost their radiance and looked ordinary. Their reigns were unique. Great warrior generals like Khalid bin Walid, Sa’ad bin Abi-Wakkas, Abu Odaida ibn Jarrah, within a few years demolished two great Empires of the East and the West to the benefit of the masses. The accounts of their chivalrous conquests, even today, dazzle people and induce admiration in them. While Sa’ad conquered Iraq and Iran, Khalid and Abu Obaidah expelled the Romans from Syria and Amr ibnul Äs vanquished Egypt. Abdullah ibn Zubair and Ibn Abi Sabah rested vast areas of Africa from the enemies. They are the immortal heroes that history will remember forever.
    On the other hand, companions like Bazan ibn Saman of Yemen, Idl ibn Saud of Sannah, Muhajir ibn Ommeyya of Kinda, Zaid ibn Lebid of Hadramouth, Amr ibn Hazam of Nazran, and Yazid ibn Abu Sufiyan of Taima, Ala bin Hazrami of Bahrain studied at this institution. They, as the administrators of provinces enormously benefited the people by establishing the rule of law.
    Hadith and Jurisprudence experts, Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali, Abdullah ibn Abbas, Abdullah ibn Masoud, Abdullah ibn Amr ibnul Äs, Ayesha, Umme Salma, Ubai bin Aab, Ma’az ibn Jabal, Zaid Sabeth and Ibn Zubair, etc., passed out from the Prophet’s (PBUH) institution.
    Executives of the calibre of Talha, Zubair, Mughira, Mikdad, and Sa’ad bin Ma’az, Sa’ad bin Auf were also students of the same institution. Among the students, there were many prominent businesspersons and wealthy individuals of Mecca and Medïna. At the same time Hadith experts and historians Abu Huraira, Abu Musa Ashari, Anas ibn Malik, Abu Said Khudri, Ubada ibn Samith, Jaber ibn Abdullah, Barba ibn Azib had passed out from this institution.
    Similarly, poor companions sheltered at Masjidun Nabubi called Ashabe Saffa, studied here. They had no worldly possessions other than the dresses they wore. In the day, they felled trees in the woods, by selling those, earned their breads, and in the night they prayed prostrated before God. From this measly earning, they gave alms. If needed they also adorned important executive posts.
    From this same institution passed out great and truthful persons like, Abu Jar Gifari who considered saving, even today’s food, for tomorrow against the spirit of Dependence on God. From the court of the Prophet, he earned the title of Masihul Islam (Jesus of Islam). Student of this institution, Salman Farsi was the embodiment of austerity and Takwa (fear of God). He was like Abdullah ibn Omar a savant who passed long thirty years of his life in worshiping God. When the Caliphate was offered to him, he replied, “If there is a chance of shedding a drop of blood of a Muslim I do not want the Caliphate.” Selfless person like Masab ibn Umayeb was also among the students of this august institution. Before accepting Islam, he never wore anything other than silk and was born with a golden spoon in his mouth but adorned himself with rags after conversion. After he was martyred, due to shortage of covering material, his feet were covered with grass. Othman ibn Mauna, the first Sufi in Islam, was also a student of this institute. During battles between Muslims, he used to say, “If a Muslim comes to kill me in my tent with a sword, I would not hit him.” Another was Abu Darda, who passed his nights praying and the day fasting.
    In the sixth Hegira, Hudaibiya Pact was concluded. Freed from incessant wars and battles Muslims got a chance to preach religion unhindered. The Prophet sent his messengers to different countries inviting people to Islam. He wrote letters of invitation to Emperors and Kings and rulers. Dahia Kalbi went to Heracles of Rome, Abdullah ibn Hozafa Sahmi to Khasrou Perviz of Iran, Habit bin Bulta to Makukas of Egypt, Amr ibn Ymaya to Negus of Abyssinia. Suja ibn Ohbul Asadi went to Syrian ruler Rais Haris Ghassani and Salit ibn Amr to Yamaman rulers with letters of the Prophet.
    Another great man of the Prophet’s (PBUH) school was the Lion of God, Hazrat Ali; the fourth Caliph and the first male convert to Islam. Collection of Ali’s speeches ‘Nahjul Balagha’ transcended time and Ali attained eternity. In this collection of speeches, Ali implored people to lead their lives according to the instructions of God and the traditions of His Prophet. This has been able to attract universal attention, irrespective of any parochialism. Letters written to provincial governors, as the fourth Caliph of Islam, for raising the living standard, welfare, security, peace and brotherhood gave him immortality.
    In this way, the universality of the Prophet’s (PBUH) school was established from its very inception. It attained universality by the very fact that its students came from all over the world belonging to all professions. Later, other Islamic institutions at other centres of learning like Baghdad, Cordova, Alexandria and Al-Azhar; all were open to everybody, irrespective of caste and creed. Many non-Muslim religious experts and learned men were among the students and one went on to become a Pope.

ISLAMIC EDUCATION SYSTEM:

DURING THE REIGN OF THE RIGHTLY GUIDED CALIPHS:

    After the death of the Prophet, replying to the Companions, the first Caliph Abu Bakr said, “‘He, who deviates from the path of Knowledge, is an enemy of God and His Prophet’, was the final message of the last Prophet. Interpreting this, the first Caliph said, ‘Knowledge is the robe of the humankind; it is a bridge between this life, the hereafter, the Creator and the creation’.” Accordingly, the reign of the Khulafa-e-Rashedins (the Rightly Guided, first four Caliphs of Islam) saw the spread of education. In keeping with the advice and practice of the Prophet, they gave utmost priority to education and did their best to educate every Muslim. They were apprehensive that the Muslims would suffer the same fate as the nations before them did, because of their ignorance. Their apprehension proved right.
    The second phase of Islamic education started from the reign of Hazrat Omar bin Abdul Aziz. In this period, ordinances were promulgated for expansion of education throughout the Muslim world. For the first time, teachers were made government employees and were paid from the government exchequer. Stipends were arranged for the students. Switching to printing from memorization, textbooks were written and published. Thus, emphasis shifted to printing.
    The third phase started during the Abbasid rule. The Caliphs were educated and respected the learned. Passionately, they pursued knowledge and patronized expansion of education in every way they could. Mosques were used until now as educational institutions, but as they were unable to meet the increasing demand, separate school buildings were erected to accommodate students.

SCIENCE IN ISLAM:

    A modern prominent scientist Philip Frank Einstein said: “Science, without religion is lame and religion without science is blind.” However, God, the Provider of the Worlds, fourteen hundred years ago, said:
61. BY THE QURÄN, FULL OF WISDOM (AL-QURÄN - 36:2).
    Islam from its inception enjoined its followers to gather knowledge (Al-Qurän - 96:1-5). On the other hand, Christians disowned science, tortured and persecuted scientists.
    To the modern world, the most valuable contribution of Islam is science. One scientist said that the Greeks made science systematic, universal and informative. Investigation, accumulation of positive knowledge, minute methods of science, and continuous prolonged observation these are not Greek or European innovations but very much done by the Arab Muslims. In his opinion for the accomplishment and refinement of European scientific advancement, they are indebted to ‘these Arab Muslims’.7 Scientists, Briffault8 and George Sarton9 said that when the Western world felt the need and attained the maturity to delve deep into the realm of knowledge for establishing a bridge with the ancient science, they did not look up to the Greeks but to the Arabs.
    Western historians also mention that when Christianity ignored science, the Muslims, astonishingly, reached the pinnacle within two hundred years of Mohammed’s (PBUH) passing away. That civilization which the Europeans called the Christian civilization needed fifteen hundred years to reach its present state. In this period, scientists encountered vehement opposition of the clerics and severe persecution by the state and the church. Galileo was penalized for his scientific persuasion. The Pope and padres considered scientists as apostates. Scientists reached the end of tolerance by the continued persecution of the church, revolted, and even lost their faith in religion. Pushed to atheism they even challenged the existence of God.

On the other hand, long (fourteen hundred years) ago God said:

62. BY THE QURÄN, FULL OF WISDOM (AL-QURÄN - 36:2).

He again said:

63. (HERE IS) A BOOK WHICH WE HAVE SENT DOWN UNTO THEE, FULL OF BLESSINGS, THAT THEY MAY MEDIATE ON ITS SIGNS (AL-QURÄN - 38:29).

The Holy Qurän is the source of all scientific successes of the Islamic Nation. Muslims in their earnest quest to understand God and His creations and mysteries therein researched with zeal and devotion and earned deep and penetrating knowledge. They through their researches proved that the relevance of this mundane world is not less than the spiritual attainments, but similarly important. This is a practical method reflecting the dispassionate Islamic intellect, and manifesting their insatiable explorative mind. Islamic religion and science did not take different courses but the former acted as the foundation for the later.

THE FEATURES OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION

(MUSLIM CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE):

Many writers, poets, philosophers, savants and scientists were brought forth by the renaissance of learning in Arabia brought about by Islam. All Abbasid Caliphs, particularly, Haroon ar-Rashid and Al-Mamoon were great patrons of learning and education. Under their tutelage many educators, scientists and philosophers flourished. Consequently, the Islamic world saw the birth of many scientists, philosophers, mathematicians, astronomers, physicians, medical scientists and sociologists, noteworthy among them were:

IBN AL-NAÏFS (ALADDIN ABUL HAAS ALI IBN ABUL HAAS AL-QUIRES AL-DAMASHQI AL-MASRI: MEDICAL SCIENTIST, PHILOSOPHER, LITTERATEUR, JURIST AND THEOSOPHIST: 607 A.D.-678),
IBN HAYAN (ABU MUSA JABER IBN HAYAN: CHEMIST, MEDICAL SCIENTIST, INVENTOR AND ASTRONOMER: B. 776 AD),
ABU ABDULLAH (ABU ABDULLAH MUHAMMAD IBN MUSA AL-KHAWARIJMI: MATHEMATICIAN, GEOGRAPHER AND FATHER OF ALGEBRA: D. 840 AD,
AR-RAZI (ABU BAKR MUHAMMAD IBN ZAKARIA AR-RAZI: MEDICAL SCIENTIST, MATHEMATICIAN, ASTRONOMER, CHEMIST AND PHILOSOPHER: D. 923-24 AD),
AL-BATANI (ABU ABDULLAH MUHAMMAD IBN JABER IBN SINAN AL-BATANI ),
AL-HARANI: SCIENTIST-PHILOSOPHER-SAINT, ASTRONOMER, MATHEMATICIAN AND ASTROLOGER: 858 A.D.-930 AD),
AL-BERUNI (ABU RAIHAN MUHAMMAD IBN AHMED AL-BERUNI: PHYSICIST, MATHEMATICIAN, HISTORIAN, PHILOSOPHER AND GEOGRAPHER: 973-1048 AD),
AL-FARABI (ABU NASSER MUHAMMAD IBN AL-FARAKH IBN AL-FARABI: SUFI-PHILOSOPHER, SCIENTIST, LOGICIAN, SOCIAL SCIENTIST, MEDICAL SCIENTIST, MATHEMATICIAN, PHYSICIAN, PSYCHOLOGIST AND METAPHYSICIANS, ETC. 890 A.D.-950 AD),
AL-FARGHANI (ABUL ABBAS AHMED IBN MUHAMMAD IBN KATIR AL-FARGHANI: ASTRONOMER, D. 861 AD),
ABUL WAFAH (ABUL WAFAH MUHAMMAD IBN YAHYA IBN ISMÄ’ÏL AL-BUZJANI: MATHEMATICIAN AND ASTRONOMER: 939 A.D.-997 AD),
AL-MAWARDI (ABU AL-HASQAN ALI IBN MUHAMMAD IBN HABIB AL-MAWARDI: POLITICAL-PHILOSOPHER, SOCIAL SCIENTIST: 972 A.D.-1058 AD)
IBN SINA (ABU ALI AL-HUSSEIN IBN ABDULLAH IBN SINA: PHYSICIAN, MEDICAL SCIENTIST, ENCYCLOPAEDIST, MATHEMATICIAN, PHILOSOPHER, ASTRONOMER AND GEOLOGIST: 980 A.D.-1037 AD),
AL-HISHAM (ABU ALI HASSAN IBN AL-HISHAM: PHYSICIST, MATHEMATICIAN, PHYSICIAN AND THE FATHER OF OPHTHALMOLOGY: 965 AD),
OMAR KHYYAM (GHYAS AL-DIN ABUL FATEH OMAR IBN IBRAHIM: POET, MATHEMATICIAN, ASTRONOMER, PHYSICIAN AND PHILOSOPHER: 1044 A.D.-1123 AD),
AL-GHAZZALI (ABU MUHAMMAD AL-TUSI AL-SHAFIT AL-GHAZZALI: THEOLOGIAN, MYSTIC, SUFI-PHILOSOPHER: 1058 A.D.-1128 AD),
ABU MARWAN (ABU MARWAN ABDUL MALIK IBN ZAHUR: MEDICAL SCIENTIST, DISCOVERER, PHYSICIAN: 1094 A.D.-1162 AD),
IBN RUSHD (ABUL WALID MUHAMMAD IBN AHMED IBN MUHAMMAD IBN RUSHD: PHILOSOPHER, MEDICAL SCIENTIST, JURIST, PHYSICIAN, THINKER: 1128 A.D.-1198),
IBN AL-BAITAR (ABU MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH IBN AHMED IBN AL-BAITAR ZIAUDDIN AL-MALAKI: MEDICAL SCIENTIST, BOTANIST, DISCOVER, LINGUIST: D. 1248),
AL-TUSI (ABU JA'AFAR MUHAMMAD IBN MUHAMMAD IBN AL-HASSAN NASIRUDDIN AL-TUSI: MEDICAL SCIENTIST, THEOSOPHIST, ASTRONOMER, JURIST, MATHEMATICIAN AND PHILOSOPHER: 1201 A.D.-1274 AD),
AL-RUMI (JALAL AL-DIN MUHAMMAD IBN MUHAMMAD IBN MUHAMMAD IBN HUSSEIN AL-RUMI: SUFI-MYSTIC, AUTHOR AND THINKER: 1207/8 A.D.-1273 AD),
IBN KHULDUN (ABDUR RAHMAN IBN MUHAMMAD, POPULARLY KNOWN AS IBN KHULDUN: PHILOSOPHER, HISTORIAN, JURIST, MATHEMATICIAN, SOCIOLOGIST AND INVENTOR OF THE NEW DISCIPLINE SOCIAL SCIENCE ‘UMRANIAT’: 1332 A.D.-1406 AD)

    Besides the above, many more like, Al-Kindi, Thiema, Sheik Sa’adi, Nizami, Ameer Khasrou, etc., contributed immensely in the field of science, literature and culture. Muslim scholars described Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina Ibn Baja, Ibn Tufail and Ibn Rushd as the greatest of philosophers. Al-Kindi (Abu Yusuf Yakub ibn Ishak: 813 A.D.-842 AD), was a versatile genius. He wrote on philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, politics, music, etc. He was well versed in Greek, Persian and the Indian languages.
    Due to these great philosophers, authors, scientists, jurists and theologians, Muslims ruled over intellectual and scientific world for a long time. Zil-abi-Mashar or the Table of Abu Mashar (Albumazar) was one of the chief sources of astronomical knowledge. Research, development and intellectual activities took prominence at the initiative of the Muslim academicians, scholars and thinkers. The world is deeply indebted to them for their tremendous contributions. Universities had followed ‘Kitab Al-Hawi Fittib’ by Ar-Razi, ‘At-Tasrif’ by Abul Al-Jahrvi, ‘Kitab Faydala Fittib’ by Al-Beruni and ‘Al-Kanun Fittib’ by Ibn Sina all over the world for centuries (800 A.D.-1500 AD) as the Bibles of Medical Sciences. Ibn Sina is recognized as the great pundit of all times, has left his indelible mark in Astronomy, Medical Science, Chemistry, Biology and Philosophy. One thousand years ago, he warned the world by determining that Tuberculosis is a waterborne contagious disease. Ibn Rushd discovered that light reflected on the retina from objects cause people to see. Moreover, Medical Scientist, Ibn Al-Naïfs was the first to discover the blood circulation system in human body. Ibn Nafis wrote many books, among them, Al-Shami Fi Al-Tib was to be of 300 volumes, but death intervened and the project never materialized.
    This was the time, when Muslim educational institutions were the heart and soul, of all the intellectual and scientific activities. In these centres of education, many educational institutions grew up, based on distinct disciplines for gaining excellence in research methodology. By the eleventh century of the Christian era, the Muslim educational systems had developed so much so that the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Nizamia in Baghdad and the University of Cordova in Spain were considered the best educational institutions in the world. In Spain at Toledo and in Egypt at Alexandria, Universities of high standard were established. In these institutions of very high reputations, scholars and students came from all over the world, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Many non-Muslim scholars educated in these institutions earned fame later in their lives. The Library in Cordova, the capital of Spain, proudly displayed a collection of 400,000 books. The libraries at Nizamia in Baghdad, at the Al-Azhar in Cairo and in Alexandria, held a collection of several hundred thousand books among them. Students, researchers and teachers from all over the world, converged to these centres of learning per excellence in huge numbers, as we see them today, rushing to the modern advanced countries like, the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and Japan.
    Muslims attained excellence in all the branches of arts and sciences, but particularly their reputation as medical scientists, physicians and surgeons, spread worldwide. Even, Kings, Queens and Emperors sought them from all over the world, irrespective of caste, creed and nationality. Great centres of learning developed throughout the Muslim world, starting from the birth place of Islam, Mecca and Medïna to Damascus, Kufa, Baghdad, Cairo, Alexandria, Cordova, Grenada, Benghazi, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Istanbul, Nishapore, Samarkhand, Bukhara and Gazni, etc. The light that the Muslim scholars illuminated glowed for many centuries and led the world to knowledge and wisdom. Muslims were at the peak of their excellence and their knowledge radiated far beyond their realm and guided intellectuals all over the world. Numerous theories and inventions of the Muslim scholars and thinkers still guide the modern scientific era. Modern science is deeply indebted to the innumerable contributions of the Muslim scholars.
    Saints like, Data Ganja Baksh of Lahore, Khawja Muinuddin Chisti of Ajmer, Shah Jalal of Sylhet, Muzadidi Al-Fesani of Sarhind, Nizamuddin Aulyia of Delhi, contributed immensely to the advancement of education, both spiritual and mundane in the Indian sub-continent, where millions of non-Muslims became their followers.

ASTRONOMY AND MATHEMATICS:

    Al Khawarijmi (780-850 AD) invented modern algebra and converted numbers into an element expressing a relationship. Al-Bawani using Sine and Tangent began the new subject of trigonometry. Abul Wafah (939 A.D.-997 AD) introduced new table of sine. Al-Beruni (973-1048 AD) introduced Beruni’s Longitudes and Latitudes determination system. He realized that the universe is a continuous process. Omar Khyyam (1044 A.D.-1123 AD) known and revered as the author of the famous ‘Rubbayat’ in the Indian subcontinent was a Mathematician, Astronomer, Physician and Philosopher.
    Astronomers, Ahmed Al-Naimandi Masallah Simdi ibn Ali, Yahya bin Abi-Nasour Khalid bin Malik Al-Batani, Yusuf Hassan bin Haizam, Omar Khyyam and Ulug Beg, are immortalized by their contributions. Celestial bodies discovered by them bear names that they gave them: Akhir Al-Nahar (Achemar), Fahm Al-Hut (Fomul hut), etc. Muslim scientist, Abu Mashar, nine hundred years before Newton, wrote about the reason of high and low tides. Books on various disciplines of science, particularly, astronomy and physics, Kitab Al-Makhdal Al-Kabir Al-Insah an-Nuzum (The Great Introduction of Science of Astrology), Kitab Al-Kinav (Book of Conjunctions), Kitab Tahbil Sini Al-Alas (Book of Revolution of the world years), earned international fame.
    Three craters on the moon had been named after Al-Beruni, Omar Khyyam and Ibn Sina - the famous Muslim scientists. Al-Beruni was the first to determine the diurnal rotation of the earth and drew the longitudes and latitudes of the earth. Nine hundred years before Newton, he measured the earth accurately, and perceived the phenomenon of Relativity (the Theory of Relativity) almost a thousand years before Einstein. His books ‘Quanoon Al-Masud’ and ‘Tahdid Nahyat-e-Amakin’ (The Limitation of Space) are even today recognized as a great contribution. Omar Khyyam, though more known as a great poet, was an Astronomer and a Mathematician per excellence. However, his greatest contribution was in Algebra. In geometry, his solutions of cubic equations are exceptional. Khayyam’s book on Algebra, ‘Fi-Al-Jaber Wa-Al-Mukabila’ is a masterpiece. He improved and corrected the Old Persian Calendar. Crimoner Jerard and Chester Robert in the twelfth century translated his books, on Mathematics and Astronomy into Latin. Muslims invented number ‘zero’ and introduced ‘decimal system’ in the ninth century. For a long two fifty years, up to the twelfth century Europe refused to accept this decimal system.
GEOGRAPHY AND MAPPING:
    Caliph Al-Mamoon (813-833 AD) during his reign prepared the measurement of geographic degrees and an illustration of the world by the Muslim scholars. Al-Farghani, astronomer (d. 861 AD), prepared the geographic chart of longitudes and latitudes. Al-Masudi (912-957 AD) was the first to write a scientific Geographic Encyclopaedia pregnant with history. Al Idrisi (1099-1166 AD) held that the earth is round and prepared an accurate map of the world. He is the author of the Roger’s Book and the Geographic Encyclopaedia that was published in Rome in 1619. Al-Hamawal (1109-1229 AD) wrote geographic and scientific encyclopaedia. Arab theory of ‘Cupola of Arin’ influenced Christian scholars greatly.
    Ahmed ibn Majid guided Vasco de Gama from the eastern shores of Africa to the western shores of India. He authored a manual of the routes through the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean and South East Asian Sea routes. Ibn Majid is considered the inventor of the compass.

MEDICINE:

Hunaian ibn Ishak (810-877 AD) was the first to translate Greek books on Medicine into Arabic and wrote some basic books on medicine himself. Ar-Razi (d. 923-24 AD) found the treatment for measles and pox and wrote the most dependable treatise on their treatments. For a long period, he lived in Europe translating books on medicine. His writings influenced the West a great deal. Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (980 AD-1037 AD) was the most influential Muslim of his time. He wrote a very valuable and informative book on medicine called ‘the Canon of Medicine’. Experts of medicine all over the world accepted his treatments described in the book. Its influence can be discerned in the treatments and books of medicine from the 11th to the 17th centuries.
Ibn Johor (Avenjuhar) (1091-1161 AD) was the chief court physician of the Al Nohiv’s of Morocco. His book ‘The Facilities of Treatment’ distinctly influenced the European physicians. Ibn Rushd (Averush, 1128 A.D.-1198) was a prominent physician and was famous as a philosopher, as well. Ibn Khatib (1313-1374 AD) was a historian, an executive, a physician and a writer all at the same time. His book ‘On the Plague’ is an important work. Ibn Khatima (1323-1369 AD) wrote the most important book about Plague in the ‘Middle Ages’.

CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS:

Jaber ibn Hayan (b. 776 AD) is the Father of Chemistry. He prepared many new chemicals. Ar-Razi (d. 923-24 AD) though famed as a physician and medical scientist, classified matters and chemicals. He was also a prominent Chemist. Watch, waterpower technology and mechanical toys are the main Muslim contributions in Physics where he contributed. Al Haitham (965-1039) is the first scientist who corrected Ptolemy’s Optical Doctrine. He founded the modern optical science and was the first to use Camera Obscure for the treatment of eyes.

BOTANY: AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE

MUSLIM CONTRIBUTION TO THE CULTURE OF SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE IN EUROPE:

    Muslims are the first to introduce Oranges, Lemon, Pitch, Plume, Pomegranate, Saffron and Coffee in Europe. They also introduced sugarcane and rice plantations. Besides that, they have introduced a few herbs and modern irrigation techniques.
    Ibn Al Awwam (end of the thirteenth century) composed the most important treatise about agriculture of his time. In grafting, use of fertilizer and treatment of plant diseases, he used scientific techniques. All these are written in the books he authored. Principle books among them were translated into French and Spanish and were published in the nineteenth century.
    Ibn Al-Baitar (d. 1248) was the best Botanist and Pharmacist of the ‘Middle Ages’. Besides that, he wrote detailed informative texts on botany, medicine and food. Europe only recognized his importance recently.
    In horticulture, the main Islamic contributions are introduction of flowers and gardening of Persian and Andalusian flowers. Europeans adopted names of flower extracts and fruit syrups like Julep Syrup and Atar (Fragrance extracted from flowers: alcohol free scent). Arabian and Persian perfumes gained immense popularity in the West.
    Though the Muslims accomplished excellence in many disciplines, they particularly excelled in medicine, diagnosis and treatment.

ILLITERACY AND IGNORANCE:

THE MAIN ENEMY OF MUSLIMS TODAY:

Ninety-five percent of the followers of that religion which began with the message, “Read, And gather knowledge,” and the preacher of which religion said, “Learning and attaining knowledge is compulsory for each of the followers,” are ignorant, today. Muslims all over the world live in 42 countries as the majority and about 40 % of them live in another 49 countries as the minority. Illiteracy is their main problem and is the main hurdle in their way to progress and prosperity. In spite of their number, at present they are far behind all other religious groups in all respects. Christians, Hindus, Jewish or Buddhists are far ahead of them.
In their heyday students from all over the world, came to Islamic educational institutions; today the situation is completely reversed without a sign of any improvement. Cursed by ignorance, the Muslims even forgot Prophet’s (PBUH) sermon that all Muslims were equal, and among them were no distinctions due to station, status, colour or birth.” Ignorant as they are, they are fighting among themselves, bringing in their own destruction. Education and only education can save them from this malaise.

EXAMPLES OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION IN THE MUSLIM WORLD:

    Muslim world including Saudi Arabia made remarkable progress in modern education. We hope that if education spreads among the masses all males and females would be enlightened. The oldest educational pulpit in the modern Islamic world, Al Azhar University of Cairo, though still active, but its facilities for modern branches of sciences are inadequate. Besides, the Quränic education Traditions and Islamic Jurisprudence, students do not gain knowledge in any other subjects as those attending the western universities. Asian and African students studying Qurän, Hadith and Islamic Jurisprudence remain ignorant about medicine, geography, physics, chemistry and other sciences. In Bangladesh, an Islamic University has been established. We hope that there the students would be taught all disciplines in the light of the Qurän.
    An education neither devoid of Qurän and Hadith nor without modern science and technology is desirable for Muslims. Therefore, efforts should be made to bring about a combination of both strictly in the light of the Qurän and Hadith. Islam has not debarred its adherents from learning modern sciences, but encouraged search for the truth.
    Today’s wrong policies divided the educated into two groups: one with modern education ignorant of religion and the other religiously educated without any understanding of modern sciences. These groups are pitted against each other and are constantly at each other’s throats. As a result, orthodox fundamentalists killed the Egyptian President, Anwar Sadat. Kamal Ataturk, the Father of modern Turkey, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Father of Pakistan and Sir Syed Ahmed, the Founder of Aligarh Muslim University were not looked upon appreciably by many ulemas (Islamic learned man), because of their radicalism. Except Sir Syed Ahmed, the other two probably had not been able to combine Islam and modernism.

THE ROLE OF SAUDI ARABIA:

Under the circumstances, a ray of hope is seen in the country where Islam was born, where in the golden era of Islam, brilliant light of education and knowledge blazed and destroyed ignorance and superstition. This is a happy time for the Islamic world that Saudi Arabia the birthplace of Islam, the protector of Mecca and Medïna is establishing itself as a modern country, advancing fast in all fields. Fuad Abdul Hamid Al Khatib, the first ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh once mentioned that it was mandatory for students to learn recitation of the Qurän before starting primary education: while delivering a talk on the educational system in his country. Elaborating he said: “after that the students according to their ability and choice select subjects and their future careers.” Saudi Arabia has no inhibition about education. Boys and girls are provided with equal opportunities in education. Arabic, their language and English, a foreign language, are taught with equal importance, according to needs. Saudi Arabia by selecting English along with the mother tongue has set an example. They are on the right track to materialize Prophet’s (PBUH) teaching. We wish them success in their noble endeavour. May God grant them success, resources and strength to lead the Muslims of the world to their former glory! Saudi Arabia has taken a pragmatic measure, by including English in the curriculum, since English has become the Lingua franca of the world. For coordination and cooperation in the fields of science and arts, it is a very timely measure. Because of this far-sighted policy, a Saudi prince, Sultan bin Salman has become the first Muslim Astronaut. In 1984, he travelled to the space with other astronauts on ‘Discovery’. It is hoped that, taking the lead from Saudi Arabia, other rich Muslim nations would spend their wealth on educating the nation in modern sciences, without wasting it on amusements and other diversions.

KING SAUD BIN ABDUL AZIZ UNIVERSITY: RIYADH:

Saudi youths learning English have established links with the developing world and are benefiting from it tremendously. The King Saud bin Abdul Aziz University in Riyadh is a bright example of that. In this university, twenty thousand pupils can study in a session. The library of the largest University of the World, King Saud University, holds two million books and ten thousand periodicals and magazines. Starting from research facilities to dining, playing, residential facilities and medical treatment everything is available there. Equipped with modern electronic and electrical equipment and instruments, water and sewerage systems and computers, it is one of the most modern educational institutions of the world. Its modern buildings are erected within a beautifully green area, an area larger than half the city of New York. The pride of Muslim nations, this university is the heart of Islamic scientific and intellectual activities. I hope that from here would begin the renaissance of science, technology, humanities and other intellectual activities in the Muslim world and they would regain their past glory. To accommodate Arab and non-Arabs, it is hoped that the Saudi government would build universities in the heartland of Islam, Mecca and Medïna, and in other important cities like Tayef, Jeddah and Dhahran. The Muslim Umma is looking up to the Saudi government to fulfil their long cherished dream of revival of their glorious past, where Muslims ruled supreme in the realm of knowledge and wisdom. This great civilization has acted as catalyst to bring out the Europeans from the abyss of Dark Ages. Dormant Europe of the ‘Middle Ages’ came to life and bust forth with intellectual activities that gave rise to the present day western civilization which has assumed a truly universal character.

EXAMPLES OF EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS IN FEW OTHER MUSLIM COUNTRIES:

    Not only Saudi Arabia but oil rich Kuwait and the Arab Emirate also have modern educational facilities that can be of tremendous benefit to the whole of the Muslim Umma. If these facilities are extended to all the Muslims of the world, Islam might again be pulsating with intellectual activities changing the face of the world yet again. Countries like Pakistan and Malaysia also have Islamic Universities. But they cannot afford an education system like Saudi Arabia and it is the case in almost all other Muslim countries. Muslims, today, throughout the world must learn Arabic, the language of Al-Qurän and English to comprehend modern science and contribute taking lead from the Qurän, compete, and live with honour and dignity with the developed world.
    Non-Arab Iran like Saudi Arabia has also come to the forefront by introducing Islamic shariat. Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan have good educational institutions to teach Qurän, Hadith and Fiqah (Jurisprudence) without the modern branches of science and technology. It is the same in Egypt, Sudan and in other African countries. With the addition of respective mother tongues, English and other subjects, the existing Islamic system of education would be impeccable, preparing students for much greater roles in the society. During their reign of eight hundred years, the light of Islamic education that the Muslims lighted in India is still kept alive by the Muslims under very adverse conditions in a non-Muslim state. However, since they are antagonistic to western education, they are lagging behind.
    It is a pity that Turkey, the Muslim country that ruled over vast areas of Asia, Africa and Europe for eight hundred years and earned laurels in the name of Islam and as Muslims we are still proud of them, has no provision for Islamic education, officially; though they know that knowledge had burst forth from the Qurän. Christian clerics opposed science and other intellectual activities, while Islam said, “By the Qurän, Full of Wisdom (Al-Qurän - 36:2). Islam prepared the world for the culture of sciences anew and started the modern day advancement in science and technology. Therefore, it is very painful to note that a country like Turkey that has long heritage of Islamic culture and civilization has forced Islam to the backseat. In the end, it is hoped that Saudi Arabia and Iran would enlighten Turkey and other Muslim nations antagonistic to Islam by the blazing light of knowledge.
    Like, the King Saud University of Riyadh, if modern scientific and technological education is introduced at the Al Azhar University, Cairo, the oldest educational pulpit of the Islamic world, the Khartoum University, Algeria, King Muhammad-V University, Rabat, Morocco and in other oil rich countries, it will open the floodgates of knowledge, at least, for the Muslims of those regions. Besides that, by establishing universities like King Saud bin Abdul Aziz University in every Muslim country, the curse of ignorance could be eradicated from the vast Islamic population. If the rich Islamic nations restrict their indulgence and divert the savings to poorer Islamic nations for building educational institutions, the gloomy picture would rapidly change. Since, Islam profess simplicity and teaches to shun all ostentation, the money that is spent on building elegant Mosques can be diverted to poverty eradication and educational projects for poor Islamic countries. With a balanced education, again the Muslims would pulsate with vigour and energy and the long night of darkness would lift its veil to welcome the dawn of glory and fame. Walking shoulder to shoulder with the modern world again, they would be able to perform miracles for the benefit of the Humankind.

CONCLUSION:

Appropriately educated the multitude of jobless youth in the poorer Muslim nations could find a purpose in life, if the wealthy Muslim countries invest to establish modern and balanced educational infrastructure in those countries, for teaching science and technology with equal importance and care along with religious sciences. In these institutions, they may get education free or with affordable tuition fees. The Organization of Islamic Countries in consultation with the oil rich countries may take appropriate step in this regard. In this way Physicians, Engineers, Architects, Linguists, Jurists, Accountants, Administrators, Executives, Politician, Traders and Industrialists would be prepared for their mundane businesses having strong footing in religion. A firm knowledge of God’s injunctions should restrain them from straying and lapse into sinful activities harmful for the Umma.
There would be much less chance of them indulging into immoral activities for worldly gains. Pious brethren of the rich Islamic nations could do this with just adjusting their expenditure a bit. They might not spend as much as they do now on fancy Mosques. And where is the scope in Islam to build fancy buildings proudly to boast. The Technical Institute, built at Tongi near the capital city of Bangladesh by the financial cooperation of the Islamic nations, is a step in the right direction but it is only a drop in the Ocean. Much, much more has to be done in this regard.

1 All these has been discussed eloquently in the book entitled, Science in the Holy Qurän by M. Akbar Ali.
2 Same as above, p. 131.
3 Ahadith: plural of Al-Hadith
4 At the beginning of Islam there appeared a group of clerics who a used ijtihad (exerting one's self to the best of one's ability to attain an object or to form an opinion in a case or to rule of law) in the absence of clear instructions in the Qurän and the Al-Hadith, on a matter. Mahmudul Hassan, Syed: Islam. p 219; Islamic Foundation of Bangladesh). Because of these ijtihads, ordinary people were confused. Hazrat Ali (RA) says: "Qurän and Al-Hadith provides solution to all matters. There is no scope in Islam for ijtihad. Nobody is empowered to author anything from outside the Qurän and Al-Hadith, to reach a decision by deliberations. Solution must be sought if a disagreement arises on the interpretation of a subject; since, the solutions are there in the Qurän and the Sunnah. There is no scope of disputing the religious instructions. Directions of the Qurän are so clear that there is no possibility of disagreement, even on the accent. Disagreement arises out of the ignorance and wishful decisions of the people.
5 Ma’aref ul-Qurän: p. 25: King Fahd Publishing Project.
6 These have been discussed, in:

Science in the Qurän, M. Akbar Ali,
Scientific indications in the Holy Qurän, a committee (of nine prominent scientists of Bangladesh) headed by Dr. M. Shamsher Ali,
Shristi Jagater Rahashsha (The Mysteries of the Worlds), K.M.A. Hussain,
The Bible, the Holy Qurän and Science and Origin of man, Dr. Maurice Bucaille,
As many other prominent and competent people around the world have discussed.

7 Islam and the Arabs, Chapter 10, The Sciences, Page 165 by Rom Landau.
8 Making of Humanity
9 Introduction to the History of Science

Sunday 7 December 2008

IPP (Part-2 Ch-1) Islamic Education-pl