Self-fortification refers to the strong fort built within...

Self-fortification refers to the strong fort built within the person that makes him competent, willing, and aware. He can avoid doing wrong things and face successfully the challenges of life[^19] . It is worthy to be noted that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) made no distinctions in acquisition of knowledge. The acquisition of all sorts of knowledge was highly appreciated as he said: “A word of wisdom is the lost property of the true believer.

Whenever he finds it, he takes it.”[^20] In view of the great importance attached to the acquisition and spreading of knowledge, efforts were undertaken to evolve a system of education during early Muslim rule. The system of maktab and madrasah was established for this purpose in the Muslim empire and a network of madrasahs expanded with the spread of Islam.

Education during the Time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) During the Meccan period, Muhammad (PBUH) was persecuted by his opponents, and hurdles were created to stop him from preaching the religion of Islam. The Prophet, however, carried on his mission despite stiff opposition. In such a situation the Dar-e-Arqam proved to be the very first place where the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) gathered and listened to the instructions of the Prophet (PBUH) and got religious training.

Similarly, Shabe-e-Abi Talib where the family of the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions were secluded for three years due to the boycott of the Quraish tribe served as a place of teaching and learning for the inmates. After the migration to Madina, the Masjid-i-Nabavi was the seat of religious education and moral training of the companions of the Prophet (PBUH). Various measures were adopted to make Muslims literate.

The release of the prisoners of Badr in return for making the Muslims literate is unique in history. Encouraging the learning of foreign languages and subjects such as mathematics and medicine by the Prophet (PBUH) was really commendable because such measures were unknown among the Arabs in pre-Islamic times. About 600 Muslims are believed to have been made literate by the prisoners of Badr .

It is said that there were only seventeen literate people in Macca before the Prophet (PBUH).[^21] Since the Prophet (PBUH) equally emphasized the education of men and women, he arranged to teach women in the mosque and allotted them separate time for this purpose. Some of the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) were literate and the Muslim women visited them to learn from them.