Chapter 23

THE OBLIGATION OF TEACHING

ThedistinctivefeatureofIslamisthecollectiveobligationofobtaining
knowledgethatsystematizesthelife.Obtainingthereligiousknowledge
isanindividualobligationuponMuslimsbyeitherextractionorpursu-
ance.The excuses of the uneducated are inadmissible. The Prophet (s)
said,“Onthe Resurrectionday,theservants,who willexcuseof ignor-
ance, will be told that they should have learned.”
Al-Ghezalidividedknowledgeintotwoparts;oneiscollectiveandthe
other is individual. He said, “People has different opinions regarding
knowledgethatisimposedonMuslims.Theywereoftwentysects-each
explained the obligation of knowledge according to its own opinions.
Theologiansestimatedtheologywithwhichmonotheismisrealized.Jur-
istsreferredto jurisprudencewithwhichpeoplecan recognizethepre-
ceptsincludingthelegalandillegalmatters.Exegesists-oftheholyQur-
an- and hadithists suppose that the knowledge of the Quranic and
prophetic texts are obligatorily learned. Others suppose other opinions.”.
Al-Qabisiassumesthatitisobligatoryuponboystolearn.Herefersto
the obligationof learning as hisproof. The Quranic knowledge is also
obligatorysinceitisnecessaryforperformingtheprayerscorrectly.Fath-
ers are assigned to teach their sons the knowledge of the Quran and
prayers. They may send themto the tutorials andpay for teachers. In
case fathers are too poor to meet the costs of teaching, their relatives
shouldpaythem. Finally,teachersmayteachthe boysfreely forGod’s
sakeorreceivetheirstipends fromthepublictreasury.Thishypothesis
washighlyconsiderableforjuriststhatissuedtheverdictsoftheobliga-
tion of receiving knowledge on all of the Muslims..
AsIbnWahabwasattendingtheclassesofMalik,thetimeofaprayer
commenced. He prepared himself for performingit. “The lessons you
haveattendedarenotlessobligatorythantheprayeryouarepreparing
for,” said Malik.