The Quran presents education as a cornerstone of faith, beginning with the divine command “Read!” and continuing with a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, reflection, and wisdom. It elevates those who learn and teach, viewing education as both a spiritual and communal responsibility that draws believers closer to Allah.

The very first sound of the revelation, the first command from Allah to humanity through His final Prophet (ﷺ), was not “pray,” “fast,” or “fight.” It was “Iqra’!” — “Read!”

Think about that for a moment. Before any ritual, any law, the entire mission of Islam began with an order to engage in education. 

For us, as Muslims, education is not a secondary goal or a worldly pursuit. It is the very core of our faith. It is the process of moving from darkness to light, from ignorance to ‘ilm (knowledge).

1. The Quran’s View on Education Began with ‘Read!’

We must start at the beginning. In the silence of the Cave of Hira, the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet (ﷺ), who was unlettered, and delivered the first words of the Quran:

“اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ” 

“Iqra’ bismi rabbika allathee khalaqa” 

“Read! In the name of your Lord who created” (Al-‘Alaq, 96:1)

The word Iqra’ implies a command to recite, to proclaim, to understand, and to declare. It is a command to engage with revelation actively, not passively.

Notice, too, it says, “Read! In the name of your Lord who created.” This links education to two things: reading the word of Allah, and reading the signs of Allah in the universe.

Education in Islam is this beautiful dual-track: one eye on the Quran, the other eye on the cosmos, and both leading back to the Creator.

2. The Quran Values Knowledge (‘Ilm)

Allah makes the distinction crystal clear. In His eyes, the one who spends their life seeking knowledge and the one who remains stagnant in ignorance are not, and can never be, the same.

“قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ” 

“Qul hal yastawee alladheena yaAAlamoona walladheena la yaAAlamoona” 

“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?'” (Az-Zumar, 39:9)

This is a rhetorical question, and its answer is meant to shake us. The key word here is ya’lamoon (يَعْلَمُونَ), from the root ‘ilm (knowledge).

In the Quran, ‘ilm is not just “information” or data. It’s not about being a walking encyclopedia. ‘Ilm is transformative knowledge. It is knowledge that leads to consciousness, to humility, and to action.

The one who “knows” is the one who sees the signs of Allah everywhere and acts upon that knowledge. The one who “does not know” is blind to these signs, even if they have memorized many facts.

This verse is the very heart of Tafseer (exegesis). It’s not enough to just read the translation; we must dive into the ‘ilm behind the words. Understanding why this distinction is so stark is a journey in itself, one we explore deeply in our guided Tafseer courses, where we move beyond the surface and into the ocean of meaning.

Enroll Now in Our Online Tafseer Course

3. Quran Describes Education as a Sign of True Faith

So, what is the result of this ‘ilm? What happens to the person who truly seeks knowledge for the sake of Allah?

“يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ” 

“Yarfa’i Allahu allatheena amanoo minkum wallatheena ootoo al-‘ilma darajatin” 

“Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.” (Al-Mujadila, 58:11)

Look at the beautiful word Yarfa’ (يَرْفَعِ) — “He raises.” This isn’t just about status in society (though that may come). This is about spiritual elevation.

Notice the verse combines “those who have believed” and “those who were given knowledge.” This proves that in Islam, the strongest faith is an educated faith. It’s a faith built on proof, reflection, and a deep, solid understanding, not on cultural tradition alone.

This elevation begins with honoring the very words of Allah. Reciting the Quran as it was revealed, with the beauty and precision it deserves, is the first step in being “given knowledge.” 

That precision is what we call Tajweed. If you wish to truly honor the text and feel your connection elevate, I sincerely invite you to explore our Learn Quran with Tajweed programs. It’s not just about rules; it’s about beautifying the speech of Allah on your tongue.

Enroll Now in Our Tajweed Course 

4. The Quran’s Call for Reflective Learning

The Quran doesn’t just want us to be walking encyclopedias. It wants us to be thinkers, to be people of “understanding” (Uli al-albab). Knowledge that doesn’t lead to awe and reflection is incomplete.

“إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ” 

“Inna fee khalqi alssamawati wal-ardi wakhtilafi allayli walnnahari laayatin li-olee al-albab” 

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, are signs for those of understanding.” (Aal-i-Imran 3:190)

Who are these “those of understanding”? The very next verse describes them as those who “remember Allah standing, sitting, and on their sides, and give thought (yatafakkaroon) to the creation…”

The goal of learning in Islam isn’t just to know that the day and night alternate; it’s to see the Creator’s majesty in that alternation. 

Education in the Quran is a journey from observation (Iqra’) to reflection (Tafakkur), and ultimately, to certainty (Yaqeen).

5. The Quran’s Call for Critical Thought

The Quran is not a book that demands you shut off your brain. On the contrary, it constantly pushes, challenges, and even scolds the person who does not think.

“أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا” 

“Afala yatadabbaroona al-Qur’ana am ‘ala quloobin aqfaluha” 

“Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?” (Muhammad, 47:24)

The word here is yatadabbaroona (يَتَدَبَّرُونَ) — Tadabbur. This doesn’t just mean “to think.” It comes from the root d-b-r, which means “the back” or “the end” of something.

So, Tadabbur is not surface-level reading. It is deep reflection. It is thinking about the consequences of a verse, the implications, the context, and the deeper meanings that lie behind the words.

Allah is chastising those who don’t do this! He asks if their hearts have aqfāl (أَقْفَالُهَا) — “locks” on them. This verse tells us that a non-reflective, uneducated approach to faith is, in fact, a “locked heart.”

Education, in this sense, is the key to unlocking our faith.

6. Quran Says We Must Ask the People of Knowledge

The Quran recognizes that the path of learning is a humble one, and we cannot traverse it alone. When we are lost, when we do not understand, we are given a clear instruction: find someone who knows.

“فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ” 

“Fas’aloo ahla aldhikri in kuntum la ta’lamoon” 

“So ask the people of the message if you do not know.” (Quran 21:7)

Look at the term used here: ‘Ahl al-dhikr’. This is often translated as “people of knowledge” or “people of remembrance.” dhikr means remembrance, reminder, or message (referring to the previous revelations). 

This verse builds a beautiful culture of learning in Islam. It is not shameful to not know; the only shame is in refusing to ask, in choosing to remain in ignorance.

7. Quran Says The Granting of Wisdom is The Ultimate Gift

As we deepen our learning, we begin to realize that information alone is not the goal. The ultimate prize is Hikmah, or wisdom. 

This is a special light that Allah grants, allowing a person to see things as they truly are, to understand the deeper purpose, and to act with perfect judgment.

“يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا” 

“Yu’tee alhikmata man yashao waman yu’ta alhikmata faqad ootiya khayran katheeran” 

“He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good.” (Quran 2:269)

Notice the phrase ‘khayran katheeran’—”much good.” Not just “good,” but an abundance of it. Why? Because Hikmah (wisdom) is the tool that allows you to use all other knowledge correctly. 

You can study science, history, or language, but without wisdom, that knowledge can be aimless or even harmful.

8. Quran Invites to Nurturing Scholars for Society

The Quran on education is not just an individual command; it is a communal obligation. The Ummah (community) as a whole has a duty to ensure that a group of people dedicates themselves to deep, specialized learning, so they can guide others.

“فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ طَائِفَةٌ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ” 

“Falawla nafara min kulli firqatin minhum ta-ifatun liyatafaqqahoo fiddeeni waliyunthiroo qawmahum itha raja’oo ilayhim”

“For there should separate from every division of them a party [to] devote themselves to understanding the religion… that they may warn their people when they return to them.” (Quran 9:122)

The word ‘li-yatafaqqahoo’ is powerful. It doesn’t just mean “to learn”; it comes from the root fiqh, which means deep and thorough understanding. 

This isn’t surface-level memorization. It’s a command to develop profound insight. This verse is the foundation for specialized Islamic Studies Online Courses, which are today’s equivalent of that “party” dedicating themselves to deep understanding for the benefit of us all.

Enroll Now in Quranica’s Islamic Studies Course.

Read Also: What We Learn From Quran? – Top Lessons

9. Quran Says The True Goal of Knowledge is The Awe of Allah

What is the purpose of all this seeking, this reading, this reflection? The Quran gives a precise and beautiful answer. It is not to win debates, to earn titles, or to feel superior.

It is to know Allah, and in knowing Him, to stand in awe.

“إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ” 

“Innama yakhsha Allaha min ‘ibadihi al’ulama-o” 

“Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.” (Fatir 35:28)

It means that the only ones who truly fear Allah (with khashyah, which is awe mixed with reverence and fear) are the ‘Ulama (the people of knowledge).

This is the ultimate fruit of the value of knowledge and education in the Quran. The more you study the complexity of a living cell, the precision of planetary orbits, the miracle of a single verse in Arabic, the more your heart is filled with khashyah. 

True knowledge does not lead to arrogance; it leads to prostration.

Read Also: What Does The Quran Say About Hijab?

10. Quran Invites us to Ask for the Right ‘Increase’ in Education

This mindset—of being a perpetual student—is so essential that Allah taught His own Prophet (ﷺ) exactly what to ask for. In a world of a thousand desires, the Quran points to the one true treasure.

“وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا” 

“Wa qul rabbi zidnee ‘ilma” 

“And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'” (Taha, 20:114)

The Prophet (ﷺ) was not told to ask for more wealth, more power, or a longer life. He was commanded to ask for more ‘ilm. This is the only “increase” he was explicitly told to seek in this way.

This du’a (supplication) frames education as a lifelong act of worship. It is a humble, beautiful admission that no matter how much we think we know, we are utterly dependent on Al-‘Alīm (The All-Knowing) for the next drop. It’s a journey that never ends.

Read Also: What Does The Quran Say About Women?

Start Your Quranic Path with Quranica 

At Quranica, we are honored to have a team of native Arab teachers, most of whom graduated from Al-Azhar University and hold Ijaza in Quranic recitation and Tafsir. 

Whether you are taking your very first steps or seeking to deepen your understanding, we have a path for you:

• Start with the fundamentals in our Online Quran Classes for Beginners and Noorani Qaida.
• Perfect your connection to the Quran with Learn Quran with Tajweed.
• Tafsir Course to understand the deeper meanings of verses like these.
• Start the noble goal of memorization through Quran Memorization and Hifz programs.
• Islamic Studies Online Course to gain a broader understanding of your faith.

 Explore our full range of courses.

Enroll in a class today!

Conclusion

Education in the Quran is more than the accumulation of facts—it is a sacred journey that begins with reading and leads to understanding, reflection, and humility. True learning transforms hearts, deepens faith, and elevates believers in rank before Allah.

The Quran calls on humanity to think deeply, to ask those who know, and to use wisdom as the guiding light of all knowledge. 

The Quran honors those who dedicate their lives to study and to teaching, ensuring that knowledge remains a living force within the community.

Knowledge in Islam is meant to inspire awe of the Creator. The more one learns, the more one recognizes the majesty of Allah. 

Every act of seeking knowledge, therefore, becomes an act of worship—a lifelong prayer of “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”