Education is the responsibility of each and every individual in Islam. To acquire knowledge has been made compulsory by divine commandment. The purpose of education in Islam is to associate and balance the physical and spiritual development of humankind. Moreover, Islam deals with universal education and education for practical life and moral values. The Holy Prophet says: “Every Muslim, man and woman must acquire knowledge.” Allah says:
شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
“(it is) Witnessed by Allah that [He], (there is) no god except Him, and (so do) the Angels, and owners (of) [the] knowledge – standing injustice. (There is) no god except Him the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:18)
Education is exploring the unknown, discovering new ideas, and communicating with the world around us. It is finding own self and recognizing human needs. Islam, in theory as well as in practice, has always promoted knowledge. Education is thus the starting point of every human activity. Allah created man and provided him with the tools for acquiring knowledge, namely hearing, sight and wisdom. Knowledge is the gateway to success, as known by many. Allah says:
فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْآنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
“Then exalted be Allah, the True King! And hasten not (O Muhammad) with the Qur’an ere its revelation hath been perfected unto thee, and say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:114 )
Quran is the first step of education and establishes the relation of humankind with the Almighty Allah. The purpose of Islamic education is not to cram the pupil’s heads with facts but to prepare them for a life of purity and sincerity. Islamic education provides experiences in the form of knowledge and skills. Quran showed the right path to how to lead anyone’s life in a perfect way.
Practical knowledge is more important than theoretical knowledge:
- Practical knowledge familiarizes students with tools and equipment
- Practical knowledge is more important than theoretical knowledge
- Practical knowledge is a good change from the lecture method
- Practical knowledge is a strong mediator of teacher behaviour
- Practical knowledge has a voice and shares valuable ideas
- Practical knowledge in advance boosts their confidence
- Practical knowledge promotes experiential learning
- Practical knowledge makes students independent
- Practical knowledge increases your options
- Practical knowledge leads to perfection
- Practical knowledge encourages self-learning
- Practical knowledge is a multi-faceted concept
- Practical knowledge to discuss pre-agreed work
- Practical knowledge of coordinating the activities
- Practical knowledge involves students all actively
- Practical knowledge provides some useful guidance
- Practical knowledge provides a variety of techniques
- Practical knowledge helps in boosting the confidence
- Practical knowledge to suggest running specific works
- Practical knowledge keeps hops on your own areas of expertise
There are several benefits associated with practical knowledge but theoretical knowledge holds equal importance. Practical assignments take place based on theory. Theory develops a stable base for practical work to get accomplished. Best results can be achieved only if there is a balance between theory and practical knowledge.
Allah Almighty glorifies says in the Holy Quran:
- “And Allah taught Adam all the names…” (Quran 2:31)
- “O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20:114)
- “As God has taught him, so let him write.” (Quran 2:282)
- “It is only those who know His servants that fear Allah.” (Quran 35:28)
- “Allah raises to higher ranks the believers and those of knowledge.” ( Ayah 11, Surah Al-Mujadalah)
- “God will exalt those of you who believe and those who have the knowledge to high degrees.” (Quran 58:11)
- “Are those who have knowledge equal to those who do not have knowledge?!” (Quran, 39:9)
Practical knowledge can be seen as a personal, contextual, experience-based, tacit, and content-related guide to action. Without education, man is as though in a closed room and with the education he finds himself in a room with all its windows open toward the outside world. Education is also described in the Quran as a tool for attaining faith, the faith of a Muslim. To achieve that, we as Muslims should continue to seek more about that knowledge.
The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) has also emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge in different ways:
- Time: “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.”
- Place: “Seek knowledge even if it is far as China.”
- Gender: “Seeking knowledge is a duty of every Muslim.”
- Source: “Wisdom is the lost property of the believer, he should take it even if finds it in the mouth of a mushrik.”
The backwardness of the Muslims in the last few centuries, Muslims lost leadership in the field of physical science and technology because of arrogance which led to stagnation. Education is the core basis of a human being that gives satisfaction and saves them from destruction. Practical work includes experiments in laboratories, study tours, projects, assignments etc. the advantages of practical work are unmatched. Allah says:
وَالسَّمَاءَ بَنَيْنَاهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ
“We have built the heaven with might, and it is Who make the vast extent (thereof).” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:47)
Practical knowledge is gained through doing things; it is very much based on real-life endeavours and tasks. Practical or informal knowledge manifests itself as skills or ‘‘knowing-how’’. Practical knowledge is very important to understand how things work. Practical knowledge guarantees that you can do something instead of simply knowing how to do it.
Difference between Practical Knowledge and Theoretical Knowledge:
- Practical knowledge is the experience that is obtained by day-to-day working
- Practical work is majorly based on real-life attempts and tasks
- Practical work be acquired by doing things on a regular basis
- Practical work is a certain activity that can be acknowledged
- Practicality leads to being an expert in the respective field
- Practical work is helpful in achieving certain techniques
- Practical work complements the conceptual knowledge
- Practical work assists in empirical learning
- Practical work motivates self-learning
- Practical work complements the theory
- Theoretical knowledge aids in figuring out the subject
- Practical and theoretical knowledge works hand in hand
- Theoretical knowledge educates us about why factors occur
- Theoretical knowledge obtained through reasoning and facts
- Theoretical knowledge educates through past failers and heir
- Theoretical knowledge is based on the experiences of different people
- Theoretical knowledge leads the way to have a deeper understanding
- Theoretical knowledge gives an understanding of how things are relevant
- Theoretical knowledge leads to context and conceptualizes the what behind it
- Theoretical knowledge is essential to frame the strategies to achieve the objectives
Both types of knowledge are important and both make you better at whatever you do. Theoretical knowledge is as important as a practical one. Without having the proper theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge may sometimes prove to be dangerous. As they say, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Theoretical knowledge and learning are necessary parts of expert knowledge. Allah says:
خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ يُكَوِّرُ اللَّيْلَ عَلَى النَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النَّهَارَ عَلَى اللَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى أَلَا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ
“He created the heavens and the earth in [the] truth. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night. And He subjected the sun and the moon, each running for a term specified. Unquestionably, He (is) the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:5)
The learning of life truly comes when we implement the knowledge we have gained from different sources. Having the theoretical knowledge but being unaware of how to execute them will not lead anywhere. Theoretical knowledge is helpful when can apply it in our day-to-day work to gain some experience and learning. May Allah (SWT) give us the strength to behave and act just as He likes us to do and be pleased with us
