Islamic Education

them, capable individuals have been and continue to be provided for every field of knowledge. In this world, there is always room for continuous improvement in every endeavour. Undoubtedly, there are many possibilities to make this supply house even more beneficial. By collective reflection and planning, these possibilities can be realized, and the system of education and training can be made even more effective. The End of An Intellectual Gap One more benefit achieved through religious seminaries was that it prevented the development of what is called an intellectual gap between the elite of the community and the general masses of the nation. The Quran speaks of a division among the Jews, mentioning a group possessing knowledge and intellect (Quran, 2:75). Here, the term “group” refers to the scholars among the Jews, also known as the “Rabbis”. Following this, it addresses a second category within the Jewish community, the common people, as mentioned in the Quran: “Among them are illiterate ones who do not know the Book, but only wishful thinking” (Quran, 2:78). The word used here, “ummi” (pl. “ummiyoon”), refers to individuals who are unlettered or uneducated, unable to read or write (Al-Jamial-Ahkam Al-Quran by Al-Qurtubi, p. 5). Historically, there was no culture of general education within the Jewish community; only select families gained religious knowledge. The scholars, being literate, were