According to Imam-e-Ghazaali “Education is a process which enables an individual to distinguish between the true and the false, the good and bad and the right conduct and the evil doing”.Islam gave great importance to acquire education. The Prophet Mohammad (SAW) said “Acquisition of knowledge is binding on all Muslims” (irrespective of gender). However, there is a growing misconception among the people of other ideologies and religions that Islam constrains Muslim girls from getting education. This article scrutinizes that Islam does not restrict girls from getting education. The very first verse revealed by Allah to all of human beings was Iqra (to read). At another place in glorious Quran in Suraha Al-Bakhara, chapter number 2 verse 151 “Likewise, We have sent you (Our) Messenger (PBUH) from amongst yourselves who recites to you our revelations and purifies and sanctifies (your hearts and ill-commanding selves) and teaches you the Book and inculcates in you logic and wisdom and enlightens you (on the mysteries of spiritual gnosis and divine truth) which you did not know.”The Prophet Mohammad (SAW) said that “It is obligatory on every Muslim to acquire knowledge”. In the Islamic perspective, women gave got equal rights of education with the men. Moreover, the Massinger of Allah said, “whoever brings up three girls, teaches them culture and good manners, marries them and treats them well, for him is Paradise” (Abu Daud).Further, Islam particularly told the parents to educate their kids especially their daughters.
Additionally, once a man wanted to seek a woman in marriage, the Prophet Mohammad SAW asked him: “Have you got anything with you which we may give to her as dower!.The man searched and could not find anything. The Prophet asked: Have you remembered any portion of the Holy Quran? “Yes” said he” and pointed out to certain verses” The Prophet married him to that woman and directed him to teach those verses to her” (Bukhari, Muslim). In addition, Abu Musa Al-Ashari reported that the messenger of Allah said: “A man with whom there is a slave girl, and he teaches her good manner and gives her education and imparts it well, and then emancipates her and afterwards takes her in his marriage there are double rewards for him” (Bukhari, Muslim). Therefore, if a nation wants to be successful and move towards a reality, the women of that nation must be given every opportunity to attain education. To attain education this is not only her due right but a right that has been ordained to her by Almighty Allah and the Prophet of Islam Mohammad (SAW).
—-(The author is freelancer. His views are personal)
