I discussed Islam and girls’ education with people from many religious groups. The results were entirely different from my expectations. While some said Muslim women were not being able to access education, others said Muslim women are working in each and every field, nowadays.
There is a preconceived notion about the education of Muslim girls. I am not here to judge those who had a negative opinion. Rather, I am here to present the reality which I noticed as a Muslim girl. Around me, there is no single girl or woman who is not literate. Some of them are working as lecturers, teachers and managers.
For instance, a niece of mine is a law student, while a second one is studying fashion design. There are countless examples from the Muslim community where girls are pursuing higher education and shining as bright as stars.
Education is a fundamental right, according to the Indian constitution. Some form of education has existed in all ages. Education existed in the Vedic age. It also existed in the Mughal period and other periods such as the British one. So, there is no doubt that education has been a part of human culture for centuries.
Education Is A Fundamental Value Preached By Islam
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), expended his life teaching everyone the principles of Islam—which is based on humanity and kindness. These were his words:
“No two things have been combined together better than knowledge and patience.”
I have seen that poor people from all faiths suffer from the lack of education and this has nothing to do with Islam. Islam directs Muslims to obtain knowledge. The renowned Islamic scholar, Ibn-Maja said:
“Acquisition of knowledge is binding on all Muslims (both men and women without any discrimination).”
“Iqra” (read), is a command sent down by Allah (god) to Prophet Muhammad, PBUH. According to some Islamic sources, it is the first word of the holy Quran that was sent by Allah to our prophet, through the following verse by angel Gabriel:
“Read! In the name of your Lord, who created:
created man from a clot [of blood].
Read! Your Lord is the most bountiful One
who taught by the pen,
taught man what he did not know.”
– Quran (96:1-5)
Iran’s Supreme Leader Says Provide Equal Opportunities
These days, I am reading a book written by Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who is the 12th Shia marja’ and the second as well as current supreme leader of Iran. He served as the president of Iran from 1981-1989.
“Aurat ka martaba” refers to the reputation of women. The book made me realise how providential we women are. As working women, we are doing great in all sorts of fields. As home makers and mothers too, we are doing fantabulous work in the society. I am paraphrasing some of the lines from his book:
Pursue education with excellence. There is a lack of female doctors in the country so we need to enhance the numbers of female doctors.
As literate women, you are nurturing your kids to become successful humans. Parents should provide equal opportunities to both their girls and boys.
We ought to share all the responsibilities, from home to Rome. We teach our kids together. We are able to read the prescriptions of our in-laws. We are guiding our husbands in their professional lives and we are creating an environment which is necessary to develop our country.
The Khamenei also suggested families and husbands to support the women and enable them to get the best opportunities so as to develop themselves.
Don’t Forget Muslim Leaders Like Malala!
Be the change we required for changing the educational world to boost girls’ education. Make it more approachable so all the students who want to continue their education, can do so. Keep school and colleges away from politics which make the learning process unnecessarily complex.
The environment of educational institutes must be welcoming towards girls and women. They ought to have respect, the freedom of expression and dignity of their bodies as well as expression.
Attempt to keep the learning process simple and accessible for those who have other responsibilities like taking care of their families and working to feed their families. Who can forget the (then) little girl, Malala Yuosafzai, who fought for girls’ education against the mighty and dangerous Taliban?