Islam and Literacy: From Quranic Teachings to Modern Education [2025 Guide]

 INTRODUCTION

When the Quran was revealed, the first word was "Iqra"—read. This single word shaped how Muslims have viewed literacy and learning from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the present. The rise of Islam in the seventh century sparked a strong tradition of reading, writing, and preserving knowledge.

Literacy in Islam is more than a skill. It's a key part of faith and culture, linking spiritual growth with the power to understand and shape the world. From early scripts recorded on bark and bone to centers of learning like the House of Wisdom and the world’s oldest universities, Islamic civilization placed reading and study at its core.

This post traces the vital role of literacy in Islam, moving from the earliest revelations to today's classrooms. We'll explore how these teachings shaped societies, supported progress, and continue to matter for Muslim communities everywhere.

Quranic Foundation: The Call to Read

The spark that lit the fire of learning in Islamic history came with a single word: "Read." This wasn’t just an instruction; it set a new standard for followers. From the very first verses, the Quran binds knowledge and worship together, urging believers to seek understanding. The emphasis on literacy shaped the culture and traditions of early Muslims and became a cornerstone for education in Islamic societies.

The First Revelation: 'Iqra' (Read)

Photo by RDNE Stock project

The first revelation received by Prophet Muhammad was a command to read. The angel Gabriel appeared in the Cave of Hira and directed him: "Read in the name of your Lord who created." These words, found in Surah Al-‘Alaq, mark the beginning of the Quran’s message (Al-Alaq). It’s remarkable—Islam’s foundation starts not with rules or rituals, but with a call to knowledge and learning.

This command gave early Muslims a new purpose. Many at the time could not read or write, but the call to "Iqra" made literacy a spiritual goal. It meant that gaining knowledge was not just useful, but a religious duty. Early followers quickly realized that understanding God’s message depended on reading, writing, and sharing what they learned. The focus on literacy laid the groundwork for Islam’s golden age of scholars, poets, and scientists.

For more on the transformative power of these first verses, see "First Revelation – Surah Al-`Alaq (The Clot)".

Prophet Muhammad's Advocacy for Literacy

Prophet Muhammad encouraged his followers to seek knowledge in all aspects of life. He called education a path to understanding, urging both men and women to learn. During his leadership, he set clear examples:

• He ordered the release of literate captives from battle in exchange for teaching Muslims to read and write.
• He sent teachers to different tribes to promote reading among all ages.
• He stressed that learning was not just for scholars or leaders, but for everyone.

By valuing education, the Prophet made reading and writing a goal within daily life. This approach led to a surge in literacy, helping communities record the Quran and Hadith, manage trade, and build schools. The Prophet’s actions reshaped society, making teaching and learning core values for Muslims everywhere (Muhammad: The Importance of Literacy).

The Prophet’s message still resonates today. He saw education as a way to protect and strengthen both the mind and the faith of his followers. The early steps he took ignited a movement for literacy that continues in Muslim societies, showing just how deep the roots between Islam and learning run.

The Rise of Literacy in Early Islamic Society

The early centuries of Islam saw a dramatic rise in literacy and learning that shaped the Muslim world for generations. The need to record and transmit sacred texts, a strong social incentive to teach and learn, and the creation of educational institutions all played central roles. This surge in literacy laid the groundwork for intellectual and scientific advances across the Islamic Golden Age and beyond.

Recording Revelation and Knowledge Transmission

Photo by Tayeb MEZAHDIA

The recording of the Quran and Hadith changed the path of literacy in the Arab world. Before Islam, most Arabs relied on oral traditions. People shared poetry and history by memory, with little use of writing among the common folk.

After the first revelations, Muslims needed to preserve every word. Scribes quickly became essential, first writing on palm leaves, bones, and animal skins. Many learned to read and write just to safeguard the Quran.

• The Prophet assigned scribes specifically for revelations, ensuring nothing was lost.
• Companions memorized large portions but also wrote down verses to double-check accuracy.
• The recording of Hadith—teachings and actions of the Prophet—sparked another drive for writing. Scholars feared that oral transmission alone could result in mistakes.

This focus on written and oral documentation led to some of history’s best-preserved religious texts. You can explore the methods of preservation and transmission in depth at How the Qur'an Was Preserved During the Prophet's Time and read more about the development of Hadith collections.

Incentives for Learning: Social and Religious Practices

Early Islamic society valued knowledge, but incentives for learning made literacy more widespread. Learning provided real-world benefits, not just spiritual ones.

A well-known example is the freeing of literate prisoners after the Battle of Badr. Instead of ransom, the Prophet encouraged captives to teach ten Muslims to read and write. This policy not only benefitted society, it showed that knowledge itself was currency. It set a precedent for rewarding those who could teach.

Other community teaching traditions flourished:

• Adults and children gathered around respected teachers to learn the Quran and basic literacy.
• Mosque courtyards and homes turned into classrooms.
• Those who mastered reading often took on the duty to teach others, making education a communal effort.

This rising value placed on knowledge, both in religious and secular life, paved the way for a culture deeply engaged with learning. For a broader context on early Islamic incentives for learning, see the entry on Education in Islam.

Educational Institutions: Madrasas and Libraries

As Muslim societies grew, they built formal spaces for learning. The rise of madrasas—Islamic schools—transformed education.

• Madrasas offered instruction in the Quran, law, grammar, and sometimes sciences.
• Most large cities established madrasas supported by endowments (waqf), which covered students’ expenses.
• Libraries grew alongside these schools, collecting works on law, medicine, philosophy, and more.

Some places, like the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, became global centers for scholars and translators. Libraries in cities like Cairo and Cordoba housed thousands of manuscripts, protecting and sharing knowledge for all.

These institutions weren't just places to read; they built a group of literate people able to teach the next generation. Over time, their impact spread far beyond the Muslim world. For more on the rise of madrasas and the role of universities, visit Seeking Knowledge in Muslim Civilisation: Universities and learn about education’s role in the Islamic Golden Age.