Women and Education

are subject to the same existential conditions with the same potential and the same purpose of being. Women are just as entitled to seek education as men. However, this does not necessarily mean that an educated woman should be rebellious and headstrong, challenging the authority of whomever she likes. Education, in the real sense, makes a person see reason and gives an insight into all aspects of life. As women performed their role without going outdoors, there is a general impression that Islam has restricted women’s workplaces to performing only domestic chores. But this is not the truth. First, Islam encouraged them to receive education and then enthused them with a new zeal. Subsequently, they went out to impart this learning to the next generation. Since the earliest ideal phase of Islam, Muslim women have successfully exploited their talents in the field of education. Homes had become centres of learning as primary schools (Makateeb). This tradition was practised in almost all Muslim communities well into the 20th century when the modern education system took over this function.