Education is the fundamental right of a child in Islam. In Islam education is not limited to bookish knowledge but includes religious training also. It means healthy all-round development of child’s personality. Parents must not only provide for children’s education in schools and colleges but should also take personal interest in their studies, helping them if they need. This gives children a feeling of ‘working with the parents’ and enquiries them in studies. Parents should sacrifice their own comfort and social activities and must share some time to take interest in children’s studies, especially when they are young. Leaving children to the mercy of teachers or tutors is not a wise policy. A little sacrifice on part of parents will save children from moral disasters. Effective moral training comes not from sermons, advice and precepts only but from parents personal examples of good behavior. Allah states in the Holy Qur’an: “Say, Are those equal, those who know and those who do not. It is those who are endured with understanding that receive admonition.” (Al-Quran) Allah provide for you, and when you are told to rise up, (then) rise: Allah will rise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is well acquainted with all you do. (Al-Quran) Children have the right to education. A saying attributed to Prophet Muhammad relates: “A father gives his child nothing better than a good education.”(Al-Tirmidhi). Education in the Islamic society is not a mere right for its individuals. In fact, an Islamic government is required and demanded to prepare and provide, when possible, all means that help individuals in the Islamic society to earn a better education. This concept is based on the Hadith of the Prophet, “Seeking knowledge (better education) is an obligatory on every Muslim (male or female).” Furthermore, Islam considers seeking a better education as a type of Islamic strife or Jihad that the Almighty Allah rewards, the Prophet stated, “He who travels to seek any knowledge is considered as a person who is struggling in jihad for the cause of Allah until he returns (home)”. (Al-Tirmidhi) In fact, Islam considers it unlawful to withhold any useful knowledge that one possesses but do not share with others to benefit them, the Prophet(SAW) says, “Whosoever withholds the dissemination of (a beneficial) knowledge (to others who may need or benefit from it) will be tortured with a harness of fire on the Day of Judgment”.
Education in the Islamic society is not a mere right for its individuals. In fact, an Islamic government is required and demanded to prepare and provide, when possible, all means that help individuals in the Islamic society to earn a better education.
So we can say that it is the basic right of every child to get beneficial education. Therefore, it is the duty of parents to educate their children and provide every possible facility for the same. May Almighty Allah give us strength to give our children the knowledge of Quran, Hadith, Fiqh and also of the worldly affairs so that they can be benefited here and hereafter.
