Education and Freedom from an Islamic Perspective
Education and Freedom from an Islamic Perspective
By : Bayu Dwi Cahyono, M.Pd. (Principal of UMP Middle School (SMP UMP))
PWMJATENG.COM – In Islam, education holds a fundamental role, not just as a means of acquiring knowledge, but also as a path to liberation and true freedom. From an Islamic perspective, freedom goes beyond mere physical liberation; it involves freeing the soul from ignorance, desires, and dependence on anything other than Allah. Therefore, education becomes the primary way for a Muslim to achieve freedom in intellectual, spiritual, and moral dimensions.
The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of knowledge through the first revelation received by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), found in Surah Al-‘Alaq (96:1-5), where Allah commands humanity to “read” (Iqra’). This command not only signifies the beginning of education but also serves as a starting point for intellectual and spiritual awakening. Through education, people are guided to know their Creator, understand the meaning of life, and free themselves from misleading influences.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) reinforced the importance of seeking knowledge by stating, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim” (Hadith from Ibn Majah). In Islam, education encompasses all forms of knowledge, including religious and worldly knowledge, which benefit people in this life and the hereafter. An educated Muslim is someone who can think critically, act independently, and avoid being deceived by the distractions of the world. Thus, education becomes the foundation for building intellectual freedom, which leads to spiritual and moral liberation.
Spiritual freedom in Islam means being free from the chains of desires and harmful habits that distance a person from Allah SWT. Proper education instills strong values of monotheism (tauhid), so that a Muslim places their trust solely in Allah. This is what is considered true freedom—when an individual is no longer bound by anything except their love and obedience to their Creator.
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Moral education in Islam plays a crucial role in shaping individuals with good character. Good character is a manifestation of moral freedom, where one is no longer controlled by impulses, but instead adheres to principles of truth and justice. A Muslim with noble character is honest, trustworthy, and responsible, and is capable of putting the interests of the community above personal interests.
History shows that education has played a pivotal role in liberating the Muslim ummah from colonization. In various parts of the world, Muslim scholars and intellectuals fought against colonization through education. They established educational institutions, wrote books, and spread knowledge to raise awareness of the importance of freedom. A prominent example is the struggle of Indonesian scholars like KH. Ahmad Dahlan and KH. Hasyim Asy’ari, who founded educational organizations to free the nation from colonial rule. The education they provided not only included religious knowledge but also instilled a sense of nationalism and love for the country, which became a key factor in the fight for Indonesia’s independence.
Ultimately, education in Islam is the key to achieving true freedom—physically, spiritually, and morally. Education based on Islamic values will produce individuals and communities that are free, morally upright, and capable of building a just and prosperous civilization. Therefore, it is essential for every Muslim to seek knowledge and use it as a tool to attain genuine freedom, which can only be achieved by submitting to Allah SWT and following His commands with full awareness and devotion.
Editor : M Taufiq Ulinuha
