The Role of Holy Qur’an in Education (1)

In the Name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

Salaam dear readers, and here is the first part of an interesting 2-part programme titled The Role of Holy in Education.

For upgrading education and opening the doors of knowledge and wisdom, the students are in need of two vital factors – the first is encouragement and reward, while the second is warning and punishment. Without the least doubt encouragement is better than punishment, especially for the seekers of science and knowledge, who strive to acquire the bezels of wisdom.

It is part of human nature that when encouraged and duly rewarded, a person will endeavour to do better. The person who is encouraged feels confident and prepares himself/herself for tolerating hardships as well.

On the other hand, if discouraged, a person of weak mind and will, feels frustrated and fails to perform to the best of ability, even if he/she is warned of punishment. Thus, it is encouragement that lifts the spirit and removes any sense of disappointment and despondency. Often, a simple praise changes the direction of person’s life.

In view of these factors, God Almighty, the Creator of the universe Who has made the human race the Best of Creation, has revealed in His Final scripture to mankind, that is, the holy Qur’an, ayahs that pertain to seeking of knowledge and the rewards reserved for the seekers of truth.

We can say that the pertaining to paradise are encouragement for us to do good deeds, while the ayahs referring to hell are warming of the dire consequences that await the unrepentant, obstinate and habitual sinners.

The holy Qur’an encourages us in all spheres of life. Even psychologists have begun to realize the impact of encouragement and punishment on a person’s mind. In Islam, punishment is a secondary factor, since what is important is encouragement, in view of the fact that life revolves around love and affection. In the logic of the holy Qur’an, there should be a difference between the good and evil and each and every person should be dealt with, in proportion to his/her behavior.

The Prophets were sent by God as educators of mankind who gave tidings of blissful rewards and paradise for the believers and virtuous persons. At the same time they warned the people of the consequences of sins that drag the sinners towards the eternal inferno. As a matter of fact, all Prophets endeavoured to guide human beings and save them. Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) was sent by God as Mercy to entire creation.

In ayah 25 of Surah al-Baqarah of the holy Qur’an, God Almighty tells the Messenger:

“And give good news to those who have faith and do righteous deeds that for them shall be gardens with streams running in them”

The Prophet’s First Infallible Successor, Imam Ali (AS), in his historical manifesto of instructions to Malek Ashtar, his governor of Egypt, has dealt on some of the finest points of education by encouraging those in authority to behave in the best manner with the people. The Imam says: God Almighty has determined reward for obedience and punishment for sins, so as to save His servants from His punishment, and guide them towards the Paradise.

It is evident that if the good and the evil is treated in the same way, the system of education becomes inefficient and the tendency to break laws and inuglge in evil increases. The holy Qur’an has used encouragement in different ways for human education. For instance, God Almighty commands His Prophet to encourage people when taking zakat.

In Surah Tawbah, ayah 103 He says: “

“Take charity from their possessions to cleanse them and purify them thereby, and bless them. Indeed your blessing is a comfort to them, and Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

In this ayah God means to say that by giving zakat the affluent people are blessed since they are allocating a part of their property and earnings for the welfare of the downtrodden and poor masses. They thus deserve encouragement and appreciation for their efforts. It was the habit of the Prophet to bless the people when they gave zakat.

The holy Qur’an also shows the reward of patience, and for striving in the way of God with the readiness to tolerate hardships, so as to enjoin the good and prohibit the evil.

For instance, in Surah Ibrahim, ayah 23, God gives the pious the tidings of paradise and in ayah 7 of the same Surah promises the grateful to enhance their blessing and the ungrateful with severe punishment.

Thus, patience, reliance on God, sincerity and many other cases are the characteristics which the holy Qur’an has encouraged. Goodbye and God bless you, until we meet again tomorrow for the second and concluding part.