ACJU/NGS/2022/339
2022.09.09 (1444.02.12)
Education, is one of the greatest treasures that should be acquired by every human being in this world. Islam has made it compulsory upon every male and female to seek knowledge. Literacy plays a major role in acquiring education.
It is through writing we read. Reading and writing are significant gateways to acquire knowledge. In fact, writing is an ‘Amaanath’ and being a writer is a responsibility. Writers perform a significant duty of developing the society through his thoughts, creativity and activities. Accordingly, a literate society stands ahead in the improvement of all aspects of humanity.
An educated community dispels the darkness of society and illuminates it. The pre-Islamic Arabian social environment was known as ‘Ayyamul Jaahiliyyah’ which is interpreted as the dark period of ignorance. They were at the height of ignorance and were engaged in sins such as murder, robbery, adultery, gambling and vain disputes. Almighty Allah guided this society to the righteous path with the light of revelation.
The Holy Qur’an has given great importance to knowledge and research. The term ‘Ilm’ (knowledge) is coupled with words such as thought, wisdom, explanation, evidence, vision, in the Holy Quran. The first revealed verses of the Holy Qur’an speaks of education and knowledge.
“Read with the name of your Lord who created (everything)” (Surah Alaq, Verse 01)
“Who imparted knowledge by means of the pen. He taught man what he did not know.” (Surah Alaq, Verse 04, 05)
It is observed that these Verses refer to literacy as fundamentals for acquiring knowledge.
And Almighty Allah swears: “Nūn, by the pen and what they write” (Surah Qalam, Verse 01)
Similarly, several Verses are found in the Holy Qur’an that encourage man to explore and ponder.
The beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is reported to have said: “… and he who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him…” (Sahih Muslim)
Furthermore, the beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is also reported to have said: “.. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man…” (Ahmed, Abu Dawood)
Thereby, Islam regards seeking knowledge as an act of worship (Ibaadat).
Similarly, the Holy Qur’an urges us to record debt related matters in writing. This implies the significance of literacy and written documents.
The manner in which the beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) dealt with the prisoners of war at Badr accurately illustrates the necessity of acquiring knowledge.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is reported to have stated that the prisoners of war were able to acquire their freedom by each of them educating 10 children of Muslims, rather than paying their ransom by money.
The UN has declared September 8th as the ‘International Literacy Day’ to raise awareness that everyone in the world should be literate and to eradicate illiteracy which is a hindrance to the overall progress of mankind.
Parents should be more attentive in imparting literacy to our children, by which we shall be able to create a better literate society in the future. Let us pray for a literate society which shall nurture beneficial personalities this world and the Hereafter.
Ash Shaikh M.Arkam Nooramith
General Secretary – ACJU
