Allah Nawaz Khan
Education plays a vital role in the progress of any nation. Nations that give importance to education achieve a high status in the world. Those nations that have ignored it have remained backward. Education brings prosperity and develops human capabilities. Progress is unimaginable without education. Education has countless benefits.
In an educated society, people respect each other’s rights. The law and order situation improves. Social awareness is awakened and tolerance is also found. Through education, the acquisition of modern technology becomes possible. Modern technology has established its importance in this era. Through technology, industries, weapons of war, and modern means of transport have been acquired. Wars are won by acquiring modern technology through education. Defense in wars is also made possible through modern technology.
Education elevates human consciousness, as a result of which society becomes stable. The best system of governance is established in educated societies. It is through education that the law is obeyed and no criminal can escape punishment — this is called justice. If the system of justice disappears in any society, that society is ruined. In educated societies, justice is given fundamental priority.
Through education, treatments for diseases are being discovered and success is being achieved in agriculture as well. Education is a gift that is granted to anyone who strives to acquire it. Anyone who does not prioritize education is bound to fail. When we examine educated and uneducated (or less educated) nations, a clear difference becomes visible between them. There is a vast difference in prosperity, peace and order, and other issues.
In ancient times too, the importance of education was clear, and in the modern era, education has once again proven its significance. Philosophers like Hippocrates, Socrates, and Aristotle enlightened dark-age societies with the light of knowledge. Their educational light continued to guide humanity. The ignorant did not value their educational status. No one remembers those ignorant people today, but the names of Socrates and all the philosophers remain in history.
In the modern era as well, those scholars who spread the light of knowledge are still being honored by time. Kant, René Descartes, Adam Smith, Bertrand Russell, Schopenhauer, and many other scholars are still alive through their sayings. In Islamic history too, there are countless scholars. Names like Imam Ghazali, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, Ibn Khaldun, and Allama Iqbal are written in history in golden letters.
Those who do not value education remain humiliated and disgraced in their time. Through knowledge, diseases are treated better, economic stability is achieved, and many other benefits are gained.
Islam is not only in favor of formal education but also emphasizes the intellectual and moral training of human beings. The Quran instructs us to ponder and reflect. In Islam, scientific observation and the use of reason and intellect are also encouraged so that humans may understand the signs of Allah Almighty.
The importance of education has been emphasized with special stress in the Quran. When Allah Almighty created the first human, Adam (peace be upon him), He commanded the angels to prostrate. The Quran states:
“And He taught Adam all the names. Then He presented them to the angels and said, ‘Tell Me the names of these, if you are truthful.’ They said, ‘Exalted are You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.’” (Al-Baqarah: 31-32)
This dialogue between Allah and the angels clearly shows that Adam’s superiority was due to knowledge. Adam (peace be upon him) was taught knowledge, and it was because of this knowledge that he was granted superiority. He was not given superiority because of height, physique, or any other reason — it was solely due to knowledge.
Wisdom is attained through knowledge. Regarding wisdom, Allah Almighty says:
“He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.” (Al-Baqarah: 269)
A knowledgeable person understands the signs of Allah. Allah Almighty has said:
“And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.” (Al-Ankabut: 43)
The importance of knowledge cannot be denied. The doors of prosperity open because of knowledge. Humans attain peace through knowledge. Modern research is used to combat heat and cold. Cooling rooms in summer and heating them in winter has become possible only because of education. Organ transplants, modern ways of fighting diseases — all of this has been made possible only through education.
Online systems have created convenience, and people are now conducting business worldwide while sitting in their rooms — all because of education.
In many countries, the education system is suffering from backwardness. The syllabus cannot compete with the current era. Passing through rote learning is considered success. If the flaws in the education system are not removed, very serious consequences will arise.
One should not hesitate to make any sacrifice for the acquisition of education.
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