Taliban Vs. Islam: Preventing Women From Education Is A Sin In Islam

Education Is Equally Obligatory On Both Men And Women.

Main Points:

1.    The education of a man is the education of an individual, while the education of a woman is the education of a family.

2.    Since women make up half of every country's population, denying them access to education will prohibit that country from ever progressing.

3.    The Holy Quran exhorts Muslim men and women to learn many types of sciences.

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By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam

31 December 2022

Islam places a high value on education. In Islam, "Education is equally obligatory on both men and women". It is not mentioned in the hadith that it is required for boys but not for girls. The idea that girls shouldn't have access to higher education while boys should wasn't mentioned either. In terms of both needs and rewards, women's education is more important than men's. History demonstrates that every successful man owes his excellent training to his mother, and his wife also contributes to his success.

A wise person rightly said that the mother's lap is the child's first school. What a child learns from this school has a profound effect on his future life. It is very important for the mother to be educated for the best training of the child. In the opinion of thinkers: "The education of a man is the education of an individual, while the education of a woman is the education of a family.”

Not only Muslim women but also many companions of the Prophet benefitted from the knowledge and wisdom of Hazrat Ayesha. The Muslim men flocked to Hazrat Ayesha behind the veil to learn from her about religious matters. All issues involving women would have remained unaddressed if Hazrat Aisha hadn't finished her academic duties. Hazrat Khadija was a significant trader in Arabia. In order to monitor the "Madinah Market" during his time, the Prophet (PBUH) appointed a woman to a high position. Those who deprive women of education are not only against women but also against Islam, Shariat, justice and humanity. (may Allah be pleased with the Mothers of Believers)

Recent press reports state that the Taliban prevents women from education. Admission to universities and schools is prohibited for girls in Afghanistan. The Ulama and scholars of India, Pakistan, and other countries must educate the Taliban administration on the importance of education for women in light of the Qur'an and Sunnah.

The Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's hadiths frequently and succinctly emphasise the value of knowledge. Muslims of both genders have been told to educate themselves. One illustration of this is the abundance of blessings bestowed upon humanity by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which sparked a revolution in women's position, dignity, and rights. The rights of men and women have been treated equally in all sectors of life, and both are obliged to be educated in the light of knowledge. Here are several hadiths that discuss the importance of knowledge. It is an obligation for every Muslim, male and female, to educate themselves. (Ibn Majah)

"Whoever goes out in search of knowledge is in the way of Allah, until he returns." (Tirmidhi)

On the authority of Hazrat Ibn Abbas, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “An hour of reading or teaching the knowledge of religion is better than a whole night of worship.” (Mishkaat)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge." [Muslim/Riyadus Saalihin, 1381]

Hazrat Abu Darda reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Verily, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge. The inhabitants of the heavens and earth, even the fish in the depths of the water, seek forgiveness for the scholar. The virtue of the scholar over the worshiper is like the superiority of the moon over the stars. The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. They do not leave behind gold or silver coins, but rather they leave behind knowledge. Whoever has taken hold of it has been given an abundant share.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3641, Grade: Sahih)

Both Muslim men and Muslim women must now complete their education. It's important to remember that even the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasised the need of educating slave females, describing it as a noble deed that would bring rewards. Thus, the Prophet commanded the Muslim Ummah to teach their daughters manners and how to live a good, holy life.

Masjid Nabwi had the honour of being a significant Islamic teaching centre where the Holy Prophet taught the Companions for years, laying the groundwork for the Islamic educational system in the process.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) taught Muslim women as well, and when they felt hesitant to ask any questions about specific feminine issues, they turned to Hazrat Ayesha and other Mothers of Believers. Women back then used to be conscious of the distinctive religious personal issues in this way. We must be aware that the Ansar women were passionate about learning. The women of the Ansar were good women, and their modesty did not prevent them from knowing the religion, according to a hadith in which Hazrat Ayesha says so.

Another hadith mentions women's yearning for education. According to Hazrat Abu Saeed Al-Khudri, the women pleaded with the Prophet (peace be upon him) to "please set apart a day for us" since "men dominate over us in reaching the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)." He then made a promise to them that he would manage a day for them, counsel them, and issue them with religious directives. (Bukhari)

Hazrat Fatima, the Holy Prophet's beloved daughter, and his other daughters and women led the way in the pursuit of knowledge, setting a good example for Muslim women.

When there was a candle of knowledge and light in the Islamic world, the Muslim girls were able to learn a lot in its light. This is unbelievable that the sciences and arts have advanced and expanded without the participation of women. A nation, a country, and a civilization cannot climb the ladder of prosperity and happiness without women.

Historically speaking, many Muslim women have shown remarkable academic interests and ambitions. The majority of scholars and judges were female, and many of these women's moms and sisters assisted their sons and brothers in negotiating the treacherous paths of knowledge.

A few relevant examples are enough to understand the importance of knowledge for women. A renowned scholar like Imam Jawzi would not have existed if his paternal aunt had not educated him. Where would we find such a high-level preacher and scholar if the mother of Imam Rabia al-Rai (the teacher of Imam Malik and Khawaja Hasan Basri) had not given special attention to his education and training? Similarly, if Imam Bukhari's mother and sisters had not supported him, how would we have obtained Sahih Bukhari, the hadith collection compiled by Imam Bukhari?

The Taliban must understand that advances in science and technology have ushered in a new era. A global community has been created by the coming together of all nations. The only nation or country that can reign in the future is one that is at the forefront of knowledge and technology. Since women make up half of every country's population, denying them access to education will prohibit that country from ever progressing.  As a result, in addition to receiving religious knowledge, women also require modern knowledge and exposure to global challenges. The world of today is undergoing rapid change. Therefore, only a woman with solid knowledge will be able to adjust to this new environment.

A woman with a good education can easily impart her knowledge to her offspring. A woman with more education can contribute more to the development of the nation. A lady will be aware of her societal and familial responsibilities after receiving education. Women are occasionally needed as doctors, engineers, and pilots, as well as to fulfil the roles of mother, sister, daughter, and wife; in all of these roles, a woman must be well-educated.

The Holy Quran exhorts Muslim men and women to learn many types of sciences. For example:

Biology: “Then do they not look at the camels - how they are created?” (Quran 88:17)

Astronomy: “And at the sky - how it is raised?” (Quran 88:18)

Geology: “And at the mountains - how they are erected?” (Quran 88:19)

An instruction to learn and understand the origins of creation is found in another verse.

“Say to them: "Travel through the earth and see how Allah originates the creation” (Quran 29:20)

So the Taliban must know that Islam does not prevent Muslim men or Muslim women from acquiring modern sciences. But in fact, Islamic teachings were the reason for the educational and scientific development in the Arab world during the middle ages which introduced different types of sciences to the world. Those who prevent men or women from acquiring knowledge and science are in fact preventing them from acting upon the above verses of the Quran; which is a sin in Islam. 

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Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.

URL:   https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/taliban-preventing-women-education-sin-/d/128758

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