In seeking to live successfully in the modern world, in independence and according to Islamic principles, Muslim countries have been emphasizing a great deal the significance of the role of education and the importance of mastering science and technology.

Islam is a religion based upon knowledge for it is ultimately knowledge of the Oneness of God combined with faith and total commitment to Him that saves man. The text of the Quran is replete with verses inviting man to use his intellect, to ponder, to think and to know, for the goal of human life is to discover the Truth which is none other than worshipping God in His Oneness.

In Al-Tirmidhi Hadith #4977, Narrated by Amr ibn Sa'id or Sa'id ibn al-'As we read;
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "A father gives his son nothing better than a good education."

In Quran we find many citations regarding the gaining of knowledge & how the act of learning is viewed by Allah.

In Surah 58:11 we read:

O ye who believe! When ye are told to make room in the assemblies (spread out and) make room: (Ample) room will Allah provide for you. And when ye are told to rise up rise up: Allah will raise up to (suitable) ranks (and degrees) those of you who believe and who have been granted Knowledge: and Allah is well-acquainted with all ye do.

The most knowledgable of all is Allah. This is something that we can not dispute.

In Surah 3:6 we read:

Ah! ye are those who fell to disputing (even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge! but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows and ye who know not!

and in Surah 41:57 it says:

To Him is referred the Knowledge of the Hour (of Judgment: He knows all): no date-fruit comes out of its sheath nor does a female conceive (within her womb) nor bring forth (young) but by His Knowledge. The Day that (Allah) will propound to them the (question) "Where are the partners (ye attributed) to Me?" They will say "We do assure thee not one of us can bear witness!"

In Surah 53:26-30 we find further understanding regarding the difference between the knowledge held by the Creator and that held by His creation.

How many so ever be the angels in the heavens their intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him.

Those who believe not in the Hereafter name the angels with female names. But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against Truth.

Therefore shun those who turn away from Our Message and desire nothing but the life of this world.

That is as far as knowledge will reach them. Verily thy Lord knoweth best those who stray from His path and He knoweth best those who receive guidance.

Muslims are commanded by Allah, in the Quran, to search out the signs that testify to Allah. This requires Muslims to constantly search for means of education, be it formal or informal. Throughout history Muslims, both men and women, have sought after knowledge. One such example is that of Aishah, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The life of Aishah (may God be pleased with her) is proof that a woman can be far more learned than men and that she can be the teacher of scholars and experts. Her life is also proof that a woman can exert influence over men and women and provide them with inspiration and leadership. Her life is also proof that the same woman can be totally feminine and be a source of pleasure, joy and comfort to her husband.

She did not graduate from any university, for there were no universities as such in her day. But still her utterances are studied in faculties of literature, her legal pronouncements are studied in colleges of law and her life and works are studied and researched by students and teachers of Muslim history as they have been for over a thousand years.

So we encourage you to continue studying, especially the study of Islam in all it's facets; be it Quran, fiqh, hadith, shariah or Islamic history.

In the end each one of us will be judged by Allah as to how we have used our resources. These resources include our brain, eyes and hands. If we spend most of our time flipping through the channels with our remote, then that is what we will be judged for. So plan your time wisely, there is a lot more to loose than a few hours of time.