– Dr. Farrukh Adnan
Being a Muslim, we understand that attainment of knowledge and education is an obligation for us. The same has been highlighted many a times in the Qur’an and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us the same. The first revelation that came to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed about learning with the name of Almighty Allah. It showed us two things, first, that education is necessary for all humans and second, that the pursuit and purpose of education will only be fulfilled if it is carried out in the name of Allah. If we see the explanation of this ayah in different Tafaseer, then we understand the reason of the first revelation being about gaining knowledge and not about any other social evils of that time. Because knowledge is something that can change every evil which can harm society. The main purpose of knowledge is to instill humanity in humans and to get close to the creator of this world.
But as a Muslim Student, do we seriously feel we’re fulfilling the purpose of education, or do we see lacking in it? And what are the challenges that we encounter in our current education system.
“READ, IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD, WHO HAS CREATED YOU!” (Al Qur’an 96:1)
First, it’s the college that we have in the current education system which is promoted by western culture. Currently, education means to study hard, to get higher ranks and then get a high paying job so that we should have no worries about our future. This is highly materialistic thinking. This thinking blooms slowly but has a long-term detrimental effect. But as humans, is it our purpose in life? Is it why we were sent into this world? Is this the only thing that we should be getting from life? The answer is, absolutely not. Allah sent us into this world for His obedience and for proclaiming His greatness. But the fact remains that the purpose of education in the young generation is only of materialism. The purpose of education can be so much more than what the young generation is currently getting from it. Islam is a practicing religion, and the Islamic Definition of Education has a lofty standard.
The other biggest challenge that Muslim students have in the present-day education system is to protect our identity. The current scenario of education centers is the same throughout the country and even throughout the world. Western culture which is being promoted in education centers has a great impact and it is the reason for religious and moral decline. Co-education system gradually takes the student in its grip. Keeping our Muslim identity alive becomes the foremost responsibility for a person who has a different purpose of life and who doesn’t want to get involved in this society surrounded by the misdeeds and immodesty. We should not hesitate to follow our religion when we are in such a culture. We are in a society where we will find some students who do not have faith in Almighty Allah, some people would think there is no religion to follow, some might think humanity is the only religion etc. These are the ideas which are getting promoted to distract the Muslim youth, hence the only thing which can protect us from this is strong faith. We should have basic knowledge of the religion so that we can counter the questions and queries that arise from people. We should also have basic knowledge of different false ideologies. Atheism which says there is no God and Communism which says there is no religion to follow are the two most followed isms by students in the education campuses. Keeping in mind the current situation of the country, there is a large section that propagates its ideas based on hatred and jealousy. They come across as a religious group, but they don’t have much agency other than the enmity of Muslims and Islam. We don’t have to get worried and the only thing we should do is to proclaim the greatness of Allah to counter all evil ideas.
Free-mixing of opposite genders is strictly prohibited in Islam
Nowadays, live-in relationships, adultery, nightclub parties, etc. are very common in every co-education system and if we don’t indulge in all this, we are considered a loser. The gathering and cultural programs are full of vulgarity. As a student if we don’t protect ourselves from all these events, we will slowly start getting involved in them and will start finding entertainment and interest in them, which will destroy our identity, sanctity, and personality.
The solution to all challenges is that we should make ourselves perfect in every skill so that we are able to face difficulties. We should not hesitate to follow our religion when we are on our education campus. We should spread the message of Islam to our colleagues and invite them towards the true path. Make our Imaan perfect and keep our faith strong on Almighty Allah. Make a lot of duas and pray to Allah to keep us firm on his religion and grant us success in our aim.
