MUSLIM MEN, WOMEN AND SECULAR EDUCATION

DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDER. Yawm athalaatha, 24th day of Rabeeul Awwal 1447AH, Tuesday, 16th September, 2025.

BismilLah. 

First of all, we all know in Islamic terms that education or learning is compulsory for both men and women without any discrimination. All the commands of ALLAH Azzawajal and HIS Messenger sallallahu alaihi wasallam on education are for both men and women. 

Nowadays there are a lot of people who talk about the differences between a modern and Islamic Education. And it really surprises me as I don’t believe there is a need to choose between Islamic and modern Education. We should rather make both forms of education compulsory upon ourselves in balance. 

Education means to learn about something one has no prior knowledge of, for example, modern science is defined as being a “system of knowledge gained by systematic research.

Humans are asked, on various occasions in the Quran, to research, to make some thorough investigations about the universe and to find the hidden truth in the things around us. God (ALLAH) Almighty has invited us to look around and observe things in order to solidify our belief in HIM. We believe in ALLAH Azzawajal, however, contemplation and seeking knowledge will solidify our belief in HIM even more.

We are welcomed to observe, to feel and to understand the things that bring us closer to our CREATOR. It means that we are entitled to learn science as science is the systematic way to observe a fact or find a fact for which we are asked to.

So where does this concept of “Islamic Education” versus “Modern Education” come from? In fact we have restricted ourselves to some part of Islam and preaching and categorized it as “Islamic Education”. Islam is actually a complete code of life and contains all aspects of human knowledge that one can comprehend including, art, science, law, health, politics, education, economics and much more all found in the Holy Quran and from the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. 

And we find that during the time of the Messenger of ALLAH, Muhammad, peace be upon him, he initiated policies in places like Madina. Does it not prove that politics is a part of Islam? Another example from the companions of the Prophet was that of the economic policies of Umar Ibn al- Khattab (The second Caliph of the Muslims) which, amazed the European economists. Is it not Islam?

During the Battle of Badr, some of the prisoners who were captured and were educated, were actually asked to teach the Muslims. Can anybody tell me what they taught the Muslims, Islamic Virtues? What do you think? The sad reality is the fact that most Muslim parents put more effort into their children to study the secular system of education neglecting the Islamic Studies. Sadly today, many Muslims in secular universities cannot even read the Qur'an or pray their salaat properly but are spending years reading and studying other non-direct Islamic education. That's where the major mistake lies. 

Let's encourage our children to study the deen well from childhood and motivate them to balance both education seeking ALLAH'S blessings in life. May ALLAH (Al-Haadi, The Guide) keep guiding us all. Aameen.