The Qur'anic Approach to Learning

Since most modern universities all over the world either belong to, or are derived from the European university tradition, it can be inferred that modern university education dates back to a little over eight hundred years. The history of modern universities could be traced to the University of Paris, which was founded in France in 1150 C.E.

It would be recalled that this University was the only center of learning and excellence in Europe for many years before the Oxford University was established during 1167-1168. Some 50 years later, some of the scholars at Oxford migrated to Cambridge, precisely in 1209 to establish the University of Cambridge. The next university did not come into existence before 1828.

It may be observed that the Muslim Arabs had established educational institutions at Basrah, Kufah, Baghdad, Cairo and Cordova long before Europe could establish its universities.

It is on record, for example, that Al-Azhar University in Cairo predates any university in the Western world. There are other several examples. Sufficient it is to mention the example of Muhammad Ibn Musa, popularly known and called Al-Khwairzmi (780-850). He was one of the greatest scientific minds Islam has ever produced.

Apart from compiling the oldest astronomical tables, Al-Khawarizmi prepared material on arithmetic and algebra. His work on algebra was entitled: Hisab Al-Jabr wal-Muqabalah (the calculation of integration and equation). The translated version of this word was used until the Sixteenth Century as the principle textbook on mathematics in European universities.

Just like Muhammad Ibn Musa, there are a host of Muslim Arabs, who contributed immensely to knowledge. Al-Razi (865-925), for example, known in the West as Rhazes, was a man of many parts; a theologian, philosopher, chemist, physician and author, who had to his credit over a hundred books, including an encyclopedia of medical knowledge entitled: Al-Hawi.

This book was translated into Latin in 1279, and it remained a standard work in medical schools in Europe for 700 years. The List of these great scholars is endless. But since the focus of attention in our discussion is the Qur'anic approach to learning, we may like to examine those factors, which have facilitated the acquisition of knowledge for the early Muslims and which can still help those, who are genuinely interested in the pursuit of knowledge.

Perhaps the first motivation for knowledge is the Qur'anic command to all Muslims to seek knowledge. The very first verses to be revealed to our Noble Prophet (PBUH) was concerned with reading and writing.

The Qur'an says: "Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created - Created man, out of a leech-like clot: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, He Who taught (the use of) the pen; taught man that which he knew not." (96:1-5)

In the above passage, man is encouraged to read materials available to him in order to acquire knowledge. The secret of knowledge, according to the Glorious Qur'an, is not esoteric: it is only a system of applying one's faculties to the acquisition of knowledge through extensive reading.

Next to reading is the principle of questioning. The Qur'an says: "Ask the followers of the remembrance (i.e. Divine Book) if you know not." (16: 43)

It is evident from this Qur'anic passage that it is not enough to read, rather it is equally essential for a reader to ask questions as he reads. If a mind is not willing or not awake or too lazy to ask questions, such a mind will not be able to grasp what he reads. Thus critical thinking and questioning constitute the basis of the Qur'anic approach to learning.

Another very important principle of learning to which Qur'an attaches real importance, and which many people overlook is traveling. The Qur'an encourages undertaking travels in search of knowledge, and for the purpose of study of the condition of different lands and people.

The story of Moses and Al-Khedr in search of knowledge is highlighted in the Holy Qur'an giving an example to the importance of undertaking travels for learning. So, it is on record that early Muslims responded to this Qur'anic call for seeking knowledge.

Mention must be made of Al-Bukhari, who traveled for about 16 years during which he collected 600,000 Hadiths. His collection became the most important of the six authentic books of Prophetic traditions, which have an unquestionable authority, second only to the Qur'an itself.

If one goes by this principle and travels with the right frame of mind, one will definitely gain some knowledge. The famous English essayist, Francis Bacon, has attested to this fact when he says: "Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education, in the elder, a part of experience."

Furthermore, it is most helpful in the Qur'anic approach to learning to have fear of Allah. The Qur'an says: "Fear Allah and Allah teaches you. Allah is well acquainted with all things." (2: 282)

Calmness is another principle which the Qur'an recommends for any seeker after knowledge. The Glorious Book of Allah states: "O you who believe: persevere in patience and constancy…" (3: 200) A person, who is genuinely interested in the pursuit of knowledge, should remain level-headed and steadfast under all circumstances. He should not be easily swept off his feet by shallow arguments or lose his head as a result of being instigated by others.

Finally, a seeker after knowledge, according to the Qur'anic approach to learning, must treat the whole society in which he lives and the entire world at large as his own institution of learning bearing in mind that life is one long learning process. Summarizing this principle, the Prophet (peace be on him) was quoted as saying: "A piece of knowledge from wherever gained is like a lost property recovered; let him who finds it take it as it was his own."

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