Introduction History of Education

acknowledged by historians. When Islam broke these barriers, it became possible for education to move beyond the exclusive realm of the elite and become accessible to the general public, making it attainable for all humans. This transformation began with the concept of worship. Before Islam, worship was understood as an act that did not occur directly between God and an individual but was mediated through an intermediary. Because of this division, religious knowledge was considered necessary only for the priest who performed the intermediary role in completing the rituals of worship. This division confined literacy to the priestly class, leaving the general public detached from it. For the first time, Islam established worship as a direct act between an individual and God. This made reading and writing a personal necessity for every person. After embracing Islam, individuals began to read and memorize the Quran so they could recite it during their daily prayers. The practice of writing and reading also began to preserve prayers and other supplications. Similarly, Islam introduced reforms in other aspects of life, naturally eliminating the division between the elite and the common people. Among human beings, apparent differences exist—such as differences in colour, abilities, and social status. In ancient times, these differences were interpreted to mean that some people were inherently superior and others inferior. Islam abolished this discriminatory notion and explicitly declared: “Mankind! We have created you from a male and