Compulsory Teaching
Accordingto theIslamic legislation,governments areresponsible for
playingapositiveroleinbreakingthebondsofilliteracyandsparingno
effortsforspreadingscienceandknowledgeamongpeople.Omarbinal-
Khattab,once,askedaBedouinwhetherhecouldrecitetheQuran.“Yes,
Ido,”saidthe man.“Well,” expressedOmar,“Recitethemotherofthe
Book.”The Bedouinworded, “Idonot know thedaughter. Howcan I
then recite the mother?”
Omarwhippedandsenthimtothetutorials. Hecouldnolongertoler-
ate;hence,heescaped.Teachingisoneofthelifenecessities.Itisasigni-
ficantelementinthesocialprogressanddevelopment.Therefore,Islam
hadmadeitabasicruleforthesocialstructureandpaidspecialattention
to obtainingreligious knowledge. Imam as-Sadiq said,“I wishIcould
lash our acquaintances on the heads for the sake of receiving know-
ledge.”He alsosaid,“Idonot want theyouthto bein otherthan two
states-eitherteachingorreceivingknowledge.Otherwise,theywillneg-
lect.Thenegligentalwaysmisspendandthensin.IswearbyHimwho
sent Mohammed with the right, the sinners’ fate will be the hell-fire.”
The period of youth represents power, determination, diligence, and
hardworking.Itisthephaseinwhichpowersareperfectandtendencies
are ready;therefore, allof the abilities shouldbe spenton knowledge,
personal disciplining, and excellence.