– Zaheda Fathima
Does education play a vital role in Islam? Yes, education plays a vital role in Islam. In many societies, education and religion are often viewed as separate paths. Islam, however, presents a different narrative in which education is a form of worship and women play a vital role for the growth of the Ummah. Every pen that writes, every mind that reflects, and every heart that seeks understanding can transform learning into worship. Through Qur’anic guidance, Prophetic teachings, and historical examples of Muslim women scholars and highlights how Islam is honouring education and women as holding knowledge.
The first revelation of the Qur’an itself is enough to understand:
“Recite in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is most generous, who taught by the pen. Taught a man that he knew not.” (Surah Alaq 96, 1-5)
The very first command from the Qur’an is not about worship but to read, learn and understand. The first ayah was about reciting, to read in the name of the Lord, to get knowledge about something which we as individuals don’t know. The process of gaining knowledge by writing it down and passing it on to the next generation would simply not have existed if Allah had not taught man writing. It is the existing knowledge of the past that allows future generations to build, connect and understand things deeply.
“A little knowledge leads to more knowledge, and a little ignorance leads to more ignorance.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation (duty) upon every Muslim, and he who imparts knowledge to those who do not deserve it, is like one who puts a necklace of jewels, pearls and gold around the neck of swines.” (Sahih, Sunan Ibn Majah, 224; narrated by Anas bin Malik)
This hadith teaches that seeking knowledge is applied to all, spreading the certain deep or sacred knowledge requires wisdom in decisions, ensuring it goes to those who will appreciate and benefit from it, not misuse it. The main purpose is to highlight that knowledge is precious, one should be wise about sharing deep religious understanding, ensuring it’s shared responsibly, even as all Muslims are encouraged to seek it.
In the women history we get to learn new things like Khadija رضی الله عنها, the wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was a successful businesswoman. She was well educated and even hired Muhammad ﷺ for her business before the latter’s prophethood and before they got married. At that time, even women used to participate in wars.
As a young women generation, the life of a woman starts with a child and then a girl as a daughter who stands by her father by representing her dream by serving her Nation in different roles like treating patients as a doctor, educating as a teacher, flying as a pilot, fighting for justice as a lawyer, and many more – all by wearing hijab proudly. Hijab does not stop their education but protects their inner soul and their precious beauty. Then a woman as a responsible housewife and after a mother who teaches what is good and what is not to a child. So, Islam values women and their education.
Educating a woman is like lighting a lamp in her home.
When you educate a man, you can educate an individual; but when you educate a woman, you can educate a nation and they carry their light of education and pass it to generations and generations. That education should be a good form of knowledge.
Education as Worship in Islam
We should emphasise that every effort, from opening a notebook with “Bismillah” to attending lectures, can be converted into worship with the right intention. Constantly reminding oneself that studies are for Allah’s pleasure, whispering duas, making quiet prayers while walking or writing them on the walls.
Asking Allah to bless her time and efforts. Recognising that patience in difficult times is worship, and that failure can teach how to be humble.
Learning not just for us but to serve, grow, and share with others or teach others is seen as charity (sadaqah). Believing that Allah sees every effort and rewards effort, not just results. And expressing thanks for the opportunity to learn.
Education as worship is a connecting rope for purpose and responsibility.
Ultimately, aiming for true success, which is earning Allah’s pleasure and using knowledge to benefit others.
The Story of Aisha رضی الله عنها
She was a wife the Prophet ﷺ and a scholar, who made valuable contributions to the growth and development of Islam. Aisha رضی الله عنها was a teacher to many of the Prophet’s companions, and her contributions to Islamic scholarship cannot be overstated. Aisha رضی الله عنها was known for her accurate memory and was one of the few people who had memorised the entire Qur’an. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, there were concerns about the accuracy of the Qur’an’s preservation. Aisha رضی الله عنها played a key role in ensuring that knowledge was preserved. She challenged Abdullah ibn Abbas, a famous scholar and jurist, to a debate on a particular point of Islamic law, and the two engaged in a heated discussion. Aisha رضی الله عنها ultimately emerged as the victor, and Ibn Abbas humbly acknowledged the superior soundness of her argument. This story is a powerful example of her intelligence and her willingness to challenge and engage in debate and discussion with the scholars and leaders of her time. Moreover, one of Aisha’s most significant contributions to the formation of Islamic tradition was her expertise in hadith, which are the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. She narrated nearly 2,200 hadiths.
There are countless stories about Aisha رضی الله عنها that highlight her remarkable achievements and unwavering spirit. Aisha رضی الله عنها is an inspirational figure at her time and also this time for education and for all the rights of women.
Educating a girl is like watering a garden; it brings blessings and beauty.
The Story of Hafsa bint Sirin
One story is that of Hafsa bint Sirin, a well-known scholar from the generation after the Prophet’s companions who lived in Basra. Hafsa was known for her incredible memory and deep understanding of the Qur’an. It is said she had memorised the entire Qur’an by the age of 12 and spent the next 30 years studying its interpretation (tafsir). Her scholarship was closely connected to her worship. She spent her nights in prayer and often fasted during the day. This dedication to both outward religious practices and inner spiritual development was a direct result of her deep knowledge. Hafsa became a “walking library” whose knowledge was highly valued by the most learned men of her time. When great scholars in Basra were stuck on complex issues of Qur’anic interpretation or Islamic law (fiqh), they would consult her.
Her story illustrates that for these women, education was not merely an academic pursuit but a spiritual journey aimed at understanding and getting closer to Allah, which in itself was the highest form of worship.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, nor humiliate her, nor prefer his sons over her, he will enter Paradise due to her.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 5146, Ibn Abbas)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever raises two girls, then I and he will enter Paradise like these two.” And he indicated with his two fingers.” (Jami at-Tirmidhi 1914)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever has three daughters and is patient with them, feeds them, gives them to drink and clothes them from his wealth, they will be a protection for him against the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3669, declared Sahih by Al- Albani)
The Prophet ﷺ states that if parents have a girl child, they won’t kill her due to poverty and treat her well, educate her, give her equal rights as their son, they will enter the Paradise.
At the time when the people were unaware of knowledge in Arabia, they used to bury their daughters and feel that daughters are a burden and trash for them. But after the above hadiths are introduced almost all the people are changed and love their daughters. This reward is for those who brought up their daughters in the righteous upbringing, care for their daughters and fulfilling Islamic duties then that will make the parents enter the Paradise.
The role of women in Islamic scholarship:
- First person to embrace Islam: Woman: Khadija رضی الله عنها, the Prophet’s wife.
- First person to die as an Islamic woman, Sumayya رضی الله عنها, one of the earliest martyrs.
- Greatest scholar of Islam, Woman: Aisha رضی الله عنها, renowned for her knowledge and narrations.
- Greatest sacrifice for the Islamic cause, woman: Khansa رضی الله عنها, a poet who lost her sons in battle.
- One of the greatest Muslim fighters is Woman: Khawlah رضی الله عنها, known for her bravery in battles.
The Story of Zainab al-Ghazali
Zaynab al-Ghazali’s life is a big example of the power of faith and courage. Born in 1917, she was inspired by Nusaybah and became a key leader in the Muslim Brotherhood. She founded the Muslim Women’s Association at 18 and later merged it with the Muslim Brotherhood. Her husband supported her work, with a prenuptial agreement prioritising her da’wah over marriage. She was brutally tortured and humiliated in ways we find hard to read or relate to. Dogs were unleashed on her and ripped out bits of her flesh. She was beaten, denied food, made to sleep on a concrete floor, dressed in ripped and bloodied clothes, and threatened with rape and execution. Her interrogators tried to force her to give up the names of her students and other members of the Brotherhood. She refused. They brought her students in front of her and lashed them to get them to strongly criticise her. They refused. One of them was Mohammed Badie, a young man at the time. Al-Ghazali also remained loyal, saying, “Our movements on this Earth are for Allah…” In prison, she made tayammam to pray and inspired others with verses like “Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (The Quran 8:46)
She was released after 6 years. She continued teaching and inspiring until she died in 2005. Her life has been scripted as a book and named “Days from my life”, written by Zainab al-Ghazali. This book is available in Urdu and English also. Her legacy asks us whether we are helping the societies that produce women like her or whether we should give up.
A few lines or pages are not sufficient to script the great histories of great women achievers and Islam gives great importance to education and considers it a form of worship. From the first command to “Recite” to the examples of women scholars in history, knowledge has always been important in Islam. When women seek education for the sake of Allah, it benefits not only them but also their families and society. Islam does not stop women from learning; instead, it honours them as teachers and guides for future generations. With sincere intention and faith, education helps women serve humanity and achieve true success by earning Allah’s pleasure. When knowledge is learned for Allah, it becomes light not just for the individual, but for the entire Ummah. We can see how in our history, there are many more women scholars, brave, courageous intellectuals. If an individual wants to achieve something, they can really do it if their zeal and intentions are strong. Who can stop us as individuals? No one can stop us. If individuals start gaining education, they can touch the sky they dream about.
