AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

“Read, in the name of thy Lord, and Cherisher,.... And thy Lord is Most Bountiful. He who taught the use of pen, taught man that which he knew not.”1 This was the first instruction that came to Prophet Muhammad from Allah. Beside this verse, in a number of other verses2 Allah has asked human beings to study and acquire knowledge and make a good use of pen, because without these, man can never understand Allah and His creation properly. Following the instructions of Al-Qur’an, Prophet Muhammad (SM) also directed to acquire knowledge with utmost sincerity. And from these one can easily understand the place and importance of education in Islam. But unfortunately, the Muslims, except for a few and the eminent personalities of early periods after Prophet Muhammad (SM), all over the world as compared to other religionists, did seldom care for * Professor of Philosophy and Retired Principal, Zaheda Safir Govt. Girl’