Why Study and go to School?

The archives of knowledge is as old as the human being himself. The first gift ever bestowed to the first human being after he breathed his first breath, was knowledge. From the very onset of his creation, from the moment of his birth, he was taught so he could understand all things. Allah says, “And we taught Aadam, the names of everything.” And it was because of knowledge that Allah commanded the angels to bow down to Adam in Allah has preferred education with really prestigious and elevated ranks. Allah says, “And those who have been given knowledge, have darajaat – high levels.” Educated people are respected people, they are closer to Allah. It is with knowledge that we learn more about Allah. Knowledge tells us what is right and wrong, good and bad. Every successful nation in the world today spent a great deal of its time and money to study, research and develop information and technology. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Can the blind and the seeing be the same? Can darkness and light be the same?” So similarly, those kids who have knowledge and those who do not, are not the same.

Seeking knowledge, learning and pursuing education is an obligation of the Prophet (s.a.w). A lot of children think of it as a chore but really, its what we know, the information that we have, which makes our personalities, our character, our entire life. Those kids who have little knowledge, you’ll see they misbehave, use bad language.No one really likes them and they don’t have a good future ahead of them either. No great job prospects, no proper standing in the community. They just live a very ordinary life and are forgetton. But the people who have knowledge, they are the heroes of our world. They are the people who matter, they make a difference in the community. They are admired for the intelligence, appreciated for their eloquence. They are trusted and respected. Everyone is looking to hire them. They go about doing great things in the world and everyone remembers them and wishes to be just like them.

Islam gives tremendous importance to knowledge. And Muslims of the past make up the brightest and proudest pages intellectual advancement and achievements in human history. For example,

(a) Al Zahrawi was 10th century Muslim surgeon who invented many tools and instruments for surgery, which are still used in hospitals in the 21st century. He is also famous for developing the stitching wounds and cuts after injury.

(b) A Muslim scholar and astronomer, Maria Al Aastrulabi pioneered astrolabes, or GPS. Her research led to the development of compass.

(c) Jazari was a Muslim engineer and inventor of the 13th century, he created a time telling device, which we now call watch and clock. His ground breaking research led into the development of the steam engine which caused the entire industrial revolution. Without him, machines, trains and cars were not possible.

(d) Ibn al Haitham was a Muslim Scientist, Physicist and mathematician of the 11th century. He wrote a book on optics. His findings led to the creation of cameras.

(f) Zheng He was a Chinese Admiral who build the largest wooden ships in the world and traveled the world seven times in the 15th century.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Muslims of the past changed world history and caused the Enlightenment Age and the Renaissance. So just imagine, what every Muslim child today is capable of. You all are talented, you all are very skilled and brilliant young people. You all can become so much: scientists, doctors, astronomers, engineers, physicist. Build new ships, planes. Becomes teachers, imaams and scholars and change the world, help people, tell everyone about Islam. And this all begins with knowledge. The more you study and concentrate on your subjects at school, do your homework, go to the library, read extra.

And if you ever need motivation just remember your reward is Paradise.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “If anyone proceeds on his way in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the way to Paradise; and he said, “The superiority of the learned over the mere pious is like the superiority of the moon when it is full over all the stars; and that The ink of the scholar is more precious than the blood of the martyrs.

May Allah teach us that which is beneficial, guide us to the truth and the take the best work from us, with which He is pleased aameen.

(Muslim Children's Day Speech)