The Consequences of Worldly Education

Question

Question: (1) Some people say that most boys become corrupted after studying for a B.A. or M.A. Does Islamic Shari‘a, going by what they say, indicate that higher education should not be given [to the youth], or that worldly education should not be given at all? And if it is to be given, then in what manner? (2) In this delicate age, is it permissible to have [children] receive worldly education, or not? Please give a separate answer to each of these questions and arrive at some good solution.

Answer

Giving an education under whose influence children become corrupted and, losing their connection to religion, become irreligious (their beliefs, morals, and conduct become corrupted), is not permissible; this is not well-wishing towards them but rather their ruin and destruction. If, however, protection against this corruption is arranged, then worldly education too is proper.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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