The End of An Intellectual Gap

As a result, the majority of the population, approximately 95%, remained uneducated and trapped in ignorance, often perceiving superstitions as religion. The revolutionary step of breaking this monopoly on knowledge and extending education to the masses was taken for the first time in history by Islam. Muslim scholars significantly contributed to expanding education globally, including in India. During the Muslim period, the establishment of public educational institutions, such as schools, allowed Hindu students to study alongside Muslim students. This integration marked a departure from the exclusivity of education and benefited non-Muslims as well. When Muslim scholars later began establishing more widespread madrasas in the 19th century, these institutions also became accessible to non-Muslims. A notable feature of these madrasas was that they were located within local communities, making it easier for parents to send their children to study without requiring them to travel far. This inclusivity naturally attracted non-Muslim students as well. An example of this impact can be seen in the life of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of independent India, who received his early education at a Muslim madrasa in Bihar during his childhood. This demonstrates how madrasas, by their inclusive approach, contributed to the educational upliftment of broader society, including nonMuslim communities. Islam was the first religion in the world to address the intellectual gap between the elite and the common people,