Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
7. The Importance of Education in Islam
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attributed to his ancestors or some other authority. He had to
ponder on it critically and realistically. That is why we find that the
Quran is replete with hundreds of inspirational and motivational
verses that invite man to reflect on the wonderful creatures of God.
For example: In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
alternation of night and day, there are signs for people with
intelligence, those who remember God standing, sitting, and lying
on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the
earth, (saying) “Our Lord! You have not created all this in vain
(without purpose), Glory be to You. (3:190-91, 7:176, 10:24,
13:3, 16:11).
This, we can say, was the intellectual seed, which is called in
academic circles the spirit of enquiry. According to Toynbee and
other world historians, this spirit of enquiry was the first and
foremost prerequisite for the inauguration of the scientific era and
the elimination of a superstitious outlook on nature and life. So it
would not be an exaggeration to say that it is the Quran that has
laid down the foundation of modern science. On the other hand,
the Prophet himself has dealt with day-to-day problems of life in
accordance with this realistic approach taught by the Quran.
Consequently the same realistic approach became an integral part
of the frame of mind of his companions. They all became curious,
inquisitive and realistic in all matters of life.
For example, once the Prophet passed by an oasis where he
found the farmers, who were date planters at work. When he asked
what they were doing, he was told that they were pollinating the
clusters of dates in order to produce a better yield. The Prophet
