Syed Shahid Rashid
There is a difference between education and literacy. Being literate does not necessarily mean being educated. Education is the process of searching for knowledge i.e. al-ilm in Quranic sense. But translating Arabic terms in English may not transfer the entire content of the term. ‘Ilm’ is an all-embracing word covering theory action and education. The highest form of ilm is ‘arafa’ to realize or to identify. Therefore Quranic perspective of education is to seek knowledge (discover) of self, and the world around the self. So from Quranic perspective, a person can be in the pursuits of knowledge without being a lettered person. The theme of Quran is guidance for mankind (al-huda) and the addressee is man. The Quran, no doubt, encouraged man to be lettered, reader, continuous thinker and man of intellect by the terms like qalam (pen), bayan speech), iqra (read), tadabur (ponder),tafakur (reflect) and hikmah (wisdom, rationale) -the ways to reach for (al-ilm)knowledge. However the beauty of Quran is that it addresses even a lay man, even a purely illiterate and unlettered person on the basis of thirst (talab). The relevance of Quranic concept of education to present times is both in its content (text) form as well as in its theme. The content is relevant as it gives all-embracing knowledge full of rules and principles for the settlement, survival and evolution of human civilization and the theme behind the content is togetherness free from selfishness, development free from depravity, comprehensiveness free from docility. The letter (content & text) and theme of Quran is not necessarily to be confined and to be understood in religious sense only rather religion is only a form of many forms. In essence all of the Shariah is contained in the Quran. The Holy Book, however contained the principles of all the Law, potentially but not actually and explicitly, at least not all the different aspects of the Shariah. The main purpose of Quran as Iqbal has said is to awaken in man the higher consciousness of his relation with God and the universe. Quranic concept of Education is one of the best mediums to awaken this consciousness in man. This is the question of man’s existence in the universe, his ultimate goal, and his position and relationship to the universe and the question of the relationship between him and the Creator of the universe. From Quranic sense, fundamentally education is a tool to link man with his creator and to distinguish between right and wrong. It is a response, reaction and approach to the different aspects of life, with application of knowledge. Prevalent concept of education has drastically changed, and unfortunately changed to mere skin devoid of essence, vandalized by the materialism and lusty race of competition which has even taken soul and spirit out of it; quantity is preferred over quality; percentage is preferred over intelligence; corruption is preferred over ethics, cramming is preferred over understanding and stagnation is preferred over momentum. Education is being glamorized and commercialized just like a commodity. The creativity element is missing; analytical mindset is very rare now in our curriculum, as the students are in the race of scoring grades and percentages without going into the realms of the subject they choose. Education is seen merely as a storehouse of information which is to be used for scoring grades. In this background the relevance of Quranic concept of education is increasingly relevant to present times which can be understood briefly as under:
i. Thought process: The Quranic education revolves around tadabur. Thinking is the starting point of education and knowledge. The Quran has time and again invited man to think and observe on the signs around him. It is this feature which makes Quranic education all-embracing and evolving in nature. Education is the continuous process of thinking which is related with heart and conscious mind. A teacher while teaching in the class should encourage students for thought process and critical thinking. It is this thought process which ultimately enables the man to discover his relationship with God and this Universe. Allah says; “Do not they ponder over Quran, or are there locks on the hearts of some of them? Al-Muhammad:24
ii. Reflection and evaluation: Tafakur means reflection, reflection of self. It aims to bring momentum in the personality of human being. It seeks teacher and pupil both to be in the continuous process of self-evaluation and meditation by taking serious note of lessons, things and developments around them. They should not remain unmoved of the situations surrounding them like senseless stone.
“Had We sent down this Quran upon a mountain you would indeed have seen it humbling itself and breaking asunder out of fear of Allah. We propound such parables to people that they may reflect.”Al-Hashr:23
iii. Reasoning faculty: The three important components i.e. observation, hearing and heart to feel (reasoning), are essential mediums and tools to seek knowledge and to realize the truth. Knowledge is actually the link between self and God. It is in fact the spirit and spark which ignites the soul of the self to discover the different horizons of life and universe. This can be understood by following verse: “And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allah)”Al-Isra:36 “And certainly We have created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind; they have hearts with which they fail to understand, and they have eyes with which they fail to see; and they have ears with which they fail to hear. They are like cattle, indeed, even more astray. Such are utterly heedless.”Al-Araf:179
The above verse means that even though God has bestowed upon men faculties of observation, hearing and reasoning, the worst of the creatures in the eyes of God are deaf and the dumb who are not in a position to exercise their reasoning faculty.
Prophets, Saints, Rishis, Scholars and other religious personalities need to be introduced as a part of curriculum; this would lead to inspiration and motivation for the students to learn how to work for the cause of truth, honesty, patience and tolerance.
iv. Wisdom: Quran believes that education should be full of rationale, wisdom and logic. It should not be absurd and vague. Wisdom means understanding, an ability to make correct judgments and decisions and making the best use of available knowledge. “To whom Hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding.” Al-Bakara:269 Wisdom remained an integral part in every Prophetic teaching.
Creativity: Present education system has been reduced to mere class room exercises and contents of syllabus. The student is not made to think beyond that. With the result his life begins and ends in the four walls of the classroom. On the contrary, the Quranic concept of education makes entire universe as an open class room and calls for development of creative skills in man. It prioritizes the capabilities of the students. The Quran invites by calling: “We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?”(Al-fusilat:53).“Say: (O Muhammad)”Travel through the earth and see (observe) how Allah did originate creation; so will Allah produce a later creation: for Allah has power over all things.”(Al-Ankabut :40). The essence of education is its connectivity not only with self, but with ground level, at societal level, and universe as a whole in every component.
v. Application of Knowledge : The Quran lays emphasis on the use and application of knowledge. It promotes specialization of knowledge and expertise, in every field. The aim of education is not only to impart knowledge but to show the means and ways to apply it on ground level. The Quran says: “O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allâh that you say that which you do not do”(Al Saf: 2-3)
Quranic concept of education is universal and updated in nature to achieve knowledge and wisdom by learning viz, writing, reading, transmitting, remembering, pondering discussing and evaluating. The core remains to purify the soul of man and prepare him for the betterment of the world and hereafter. Fundamentally, all the religions of the world are one in the sense that they connect a person to its creator and thus the element of God consciousness needs to be invoked. It is a spiritual sense of a human being which nourishes man’s morality. Morality in education needs to be reinforced Therefore it is high time that we rediscover and redefine the meaning of education. Creative ways of education needs to be adopted. Methodology of teaching needs to be reshaped. Generally what a student reads, it later on reflects on his mindset and behavior. Prophets, Saints, Rishis, Scholars and other religious personalities need to be introduced as a part of curriculum; this would lead to inspiration and motivation for the students to learn how to work for the cause of truth, honesty, patience and tolerance.
(The author is pursuing post doctoral research at Kashmir University. Views are his own, [email protected] )
