Female Education ~ Vision of Islam

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“He didn’t leave us huge properties or great wealth, but he left us enriched with the greatest wealth of Knowledge and Education, which will never diminish.” I still remember this sentence my sobbing mother conveyed to me, a month after my grandfathers death. True to her words, my late grandfather was one of the zealous exponents of education not only for his children but also for the children in his neighborhood and wherever he went. And the vindication of my mother’s message is evident that all the children of my grandfather are well educated and financially independent. Especially his daughters, all of whom are well educated and in service, and the legacy they have carried forward among their children as well. My mother is and most probably will be the most educated and qualified person in our family (be it amongst male or female members), from either my paternal or maternal lineage. She was the second topper in the division in her matriculation as well as in the University during her graduation. With double post graduation and doctorate degrees (Ph.D) to add to it, I am quite sure, no-one presently in my family has the acumen to match her qualification. My parent have played their part, with my sister having completed her engineering degree and double post graduation with an MBA, and is happily married and has a regular job. This is an account of education of a Muslim family. My mother owes all her achievements to her father, who fought all odds, from financial crunch in initial years to opposition from family, my grandmother included; to guide my mother to achieve the improbable maybe 40 years back. And as I picked up the newspaper today, one of the articles caught my eyes, ‘Extremists in Northern Pakistan destroying and burning Girl’s schools, and have smoldered over 100 of them. They declared it’s un-Islamic for girls to be educated, and they are only following Islamic decree of preventing Muslim girls to be equated with men.’ “How gibberish!” was my instant proclamation; the legacy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who was accompanied by such learned women as Aisha Siddiqa’ and Fatima (RA) was being wasted in such a form.

Education among Muslims and more so for females has been one of the most contentious issues. While people perceive that it’s the religion, which binds Muslims women against seeking education and equality with men, which is the most blatant myth. Islam has always regarded education as one of the highest virtues and seeking education is a fundamental duty upon every Muslim. In fact well established Hadiths say, “It is Farz (obligatory) upon every Muslim to seek Knowledge”. In his time Prophet Muhammad (SAW) laid special emphasis to propagate equality amongst men and women in all respects, allowing women to pray in mosques as well as it is mentioned in one of the Hadiths that he kept a special day in the week to answer queries by womenfolk, when they complained that the men were talking to him most of the time. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said, “If a man has a girl child and he educated her, took best possible care for her and gave her away in marriage, then he will be rewarded twice”. Interpreting the same, we can surely say that twice the reward should be in comparison for taking care of the male child. This highlights, that Islam clearly gives precedence to women’s education, even above the males. And verily, the reasons for the same was told by our erstwhile Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that, ‘If you educate a male you educate an individual, but if you educate a female you educate the whole family’. No astonishment that Islam had perceived this 1400 years back.

History of Islam has seen some of the most learned women, with Aisha Siddiqa (RA), wife of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) regarded as ‘Mother of the Faithful’ leading the contribution. She was perhaps the first female Mufti in Islam, as she was the closest companions of The Prophet (SAW) during his later years and perhaps was the most beneficent of his knowledge and teachings. It is evident from her contribution to the Hadiths, which talk about Life and Philosophy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Scholars regard her (in status) amongst the likes of Abu Bakr, Usmaan, Umar, Abu Hurairah and Hazrat Ali (RA) some of the most devout Sahabi’s (followers/companions) of The Prophet (SAW). Another mention of most prominent woman in spreading equality and knowledge for women and helping the cause of Islam in its heydays was Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) daughter Fatima (RA) – ‘Leader of Women in Heaven’. Not only was she the most adorable amongst Prophet’s (SAW) children, but she was the one with whom he shared most of his learning’s from the Quranic revelations. Khadija (RA), Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) first wife, was also a very learned women and one of the first to accept the faith of Islam. She was the one to provide all the support and assurance to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during his initial years of prophecy and when the Quran was revealed upon him.

The Indian history has seen some of the most influential and learned Muslim women, who by their wisdom and valor, etched a name in golden letters. Razia Sultan (1205-1240 AD) the successor of her father Iltutmish, was chosen above her brothers as the heir apparent for the throne for her interest in administration and learning warfare. While history remembers her for her affair with a slave, her achievements as a ruler are nevertheless remarkable. She propagated equality amongst all religion and established schools, academies, centers for research, and public libraries that included the works of ancient philosophers along with the Holy Quran and the Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Hindu works in the sciences, philosophy, astronomy, and literature were reportedly studied in schools and colleges. Another example is that of Nurjahan (1577-1645 AD) also known as Mehrunnissa , wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who was the brain behind her husband’s just and virtuous rule, continuing the legacy of Akbar. She remains historically significant for the sheer amount of imperial authority she wielded - the true "power behind the throne," and is known as one of the most powerful women who ruled India. Chand Bibi (1550-1599 AD) is best known for defending Ahmadnagar against the Mughal forces of Emperor Akbar. Begum Hazrat Mahal was endowed with great physical charm and grace as well as organizational skills. During India’s First War of independence (1857-58), she led her supporters against the British, and was even able to seize the control of Lucknow.

Journeying back to the present times, we see the two facets of the society, at one end the extremists and self protagonists of the religion are presenting forth their own decree upon their people wrongly interpreting the teachings of Quran and implicating all possible persecutions to subdue the women. While on the other hand we have women like Noble Prize winner Shirin Ebadi and Later Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, who set an example for the Muslim women, to come forward and establish themselves on the world forum, creating their individual identity. Women like Najma Heptulla and Mehbooba Mufti are well known in the Indian Political quarters. We have the example of Iram Khan, third topper in Pune Division, class 10th examination 2008, with 95.69%; who fought odds against poverty and social bindings to achieve accolades. Surprisingly it was her grandmothers unwavering support, when she convinced her family to continue her education after middle school. The girl repaid the faith her grandmother put in her, studying in a one room house, she shared with five other family members and in a noisy surrounding. Her efforts are without any tuitions or coaching classes apart from the school. Back home I still remember how my grandfather had a hard time convincing an auto rickshaw driver who lived in the vicinity, to let his daughter continue her studies after her matriculation. The adamant father finally agreed and the meticulous daughter later completed her engineering degree with first division and got a job in a multinational software firm. Her achievements motivated her siblings for higher studies as well. Years later her father died in an accident, and though the family was grieved but they were financially sound thanks to the same girl, who was now supporting the whole family. My grandfather used to say, evidencing the rickshaw drivers daughter’s case, “That Is my most valuable Certificate for all my achievements in life.”