Furthermore Islam encourages the seeking of the rest of the sciences...

Furthermore Islam encourages the seeking of the rest of the sciences, considers it a virtue and an honour for the individual, promotes the implementation of knowledge in practice, provides the means for it, and it has made it compulsory for the government to support the educational program in all aspects. 224 This stems from the teaching of , peace be upon him and his family who said, “The seeking and acquisition of knowledge is an obligation upon every male Muslim and female Muslim”.

Mostadrak al-Wasa’el, vol.17, p249, Bih}a>r al-Anwa>r, vol.1, p177. Q. What you have mentioned should bring about the development and excellence of the Muslims, but why are they instead backwards and underdeveloped? A. They remained behind when they did not adhere to the teachings of Islam on knowledge, and from the day they abandoned the policy of Islam on education.

At the time when the Muslims were adhering to its teachings and acting according to Islam, their culture exceeded that of the West today, and there is no better proof for this than the West and westerners own acknowledgements of this fact.225 The relative number of their books, libraries, schools, and educated people – given the facilities of those days – were much more than the relative number of books, libraries, schools and educated people they have today despite all the progress in the means and facilities available.226 Modern Means of Education Q.

What is Islam’s stance in relation to modern educational means? In other words, does Islam prohibit schools and colleges, 225 The Islamic culture revived Muslim societies where everyone benefited. The Islamic culture came in various realms and domains of the human life. An example of Islam’s economic culture is “land belongs to Allah and whoever develops it”, as taught by peace be upon him and his family, al-Ka>fi, vol. 5, p 279.

This is the kind of culture that is not seen even in today’s so-called civilised worlds. An example of Islam’s social culture is .If ye do good, ye do good for your own souls. [17:7] which encourages people to do good. On Islam’s culture on the family, we have the encouragement of keeping strong bond between members of the family, and in particular the bond of parents and the off spring; .And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents.

If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word..