We The Family of Adam cover
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We The Family of Adam

One humanity, one family. Reminders from the Quran and the education that builds a better world.

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A gift to the world

The world's first university

Founded by a woman, in 859 CE, and still teaching today

Fatima al-Fihri (800-880)
Fatima al-Fihri (800-880)
Right to education: 1821 and 859
Right to education: 1821 and 859
Strange times we live in
Strange times we live in

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The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, was founded in 859 CE by Fatima al-Fihri, who used her inheritance to build a place of learning for her community.

Guinness World Records lists it as the oldest existing, continually operating educational institution in the world. More than 1,150 years later, it is still teaching.

859 CEYear founded
FezMorocco
1,150+Years of teaching

Sources

RecordGuinness World RecordsOldest universityClick here ArticleManchester University PressFatima al-Fihri, founder of the world's first universityClick here EducationBBC BitesizeThe oldest university in the worldClick here
Ilm · Education

The Quran honours those who seek great wisdom (ilm/higher education).

The servants of Allah who keep growing in education, and use it to make the world better, are raised in rank. These are the Quran's own words.

Al-Alaq 96:1-5

The first word revealed was Read

اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ

“Read in the name of your Lord who created... Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.”

Ta-Ha 20:114

A prayer for more education

وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا

“And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”

Fatir 35:28

Education brings true awe of Allah

إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ

“Only those of His servants who have knowledge truly fear Allah.”

Az-Zumar 39:9

Those who know are not equal to those who do not

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“Say: Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only people of understanding will remember.”

Al-Mujadila 58:11

Allah raises the people of education

يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ

“Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.”

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) · Sunan Ibn Majah 224

Seeking education is a duty

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”