Right to education

 The right to education is equally shared by men and women. Although the premise of equality is a general notion in Islamic law, at time differences in legal rulings can be found which, with analysis, are deemed to suit her feminine nature. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim.'' This Hadith applies to women just as it applies to men. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) is also reported to have said, "If a person has a daughter who he refines and educates, as well as spending generously on her from that which Allah has blessed him with, then she shall be a shield for him against the Fire.''

         

          During the time of Allah's Messenger, the woman used to strive in search of knowledge. Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the womenfolk came to Allah's Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, "Messenger of Allah, men have taken all your time. So fix a day for us.'' On that he promised them one day for religious lessons and commandments. It was such determination that led A'ishah ") to comment, "Wonderful are the Ansafr women! Shyness did not prevent them from learning knowledge of the religion.''

          The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Command your children to pray when they attain the age of seven and hit them over it when they attain the age of ten, and separate their beds (at that age).'' An-Nawawi commented, "The Hadith applies to both boys and girls; there is no difference between them according to the consensus of the scholars.'' He then said, "AshShafi'i and scholars of his madhhab (school of legal thought) said, 'Fathers and mothers should teach their young children purification, prayer and fasting and other acts of worship. They should teach them that fornication, homosexuality, consumption of alcohol, lying, backbiting and other vices are forbidden. They should teach them that as soon as they have reached the age of puberty, they have become legally obliged. This training is compulsory according to the correct view of the scholars. The wages for such training shall be from the boy's wealth if he has some, but if he does not have any, then it becomes the responsibility of whoever shoulders his responsibility.' Ash-Shafi'i and the scholars of his madhhab also believed in the necessity of educating the mother because training her is part of training the children. Such education is therefore obligatory (like maintenance). There are also some nonShari'ah sciences that may be regarded as necessary for females such as obstetrics and genecology so that male doctors are prevented from having to see naked women.

        In Al-Fatafwa Al-Hindiyyah, the scholars were questioned regarding a woman with a medical condition requiring a doctor to examine a private part of the body. The scholars determined that it was improper for a male physician to examine her, and instead, a female doctor should take his place. However, in the case of no female doctor or specialist and a fear that her situation may worsen, the male physician may examine her (while lowering his gaze as much as possible) on the condition that her body is covered entirely except for the area that requires examination.

      • There is no disagreement among the scholars on the legality of educating females. However, any form of education should take place in a way that does not contradict the injunctions of Islam. The following are regulations that must be observed while educating females:

a.          She should not mix with members of the opposite sex (inside the classroom). A female student must not sit beside a male student, which is established from the fact that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) fixed a day for women in which he admonished them, that day differing from those of men. We find that even in acts of worship women do not mix with men. Instead they are allocated a separate place from where they hear sermons and perform their prayers. However, it is not imperative to create a special place segregated off for them to pray in nor to erect a barrier between their rows and the rows of men for no such thing was found during the Prophet's time.

b.           She should lower her gaze and refrain from showing off her adornment. This is in accordance with Allah's injunction: 

             "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islafm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, 0 believers, that you may be successful.'' AnNoor 24:31.

Abiding by the above regulations prevents temptation and the spread of corruption.