Is compulsion in education appropriate?

Human is a free being. He can use the will he possesses in whatever way he likes. If he wishes he can believe, if not disbelieve. (1) If he wills he give thanks, if not denies. (2) If he wants he works, if not remains idle.

Education is the act of guiding the human to the good, who may otherwise use his will in a bad direction. If a garden is left on its own, there appear wild grass and thorns instead of vegetables and fruits. In the same way, if human is left to his own devices, he obeys his evil commanding soul and deviates into evils. In this respect, in the process of education there must be serious surveillance. Children and youths who are overcome by their evil commanding souls and feelings should not be left on their own. They must be helped and their capacities must be canalized into positive ends.

However, it will bring about only harm rather than benefit to do this in a despotic way. As is proclaimed by the Quran, There is no compulsion in the Religion. (3). Our Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, was sent as an educator. He did not call any one into Islam with the force of sword, rather said: Religion is advice. (4) And said: Make easier, do not make harder. Give glad tidings, do not put off. (5).

Though limited success might be achieved through compulsion, it is not possible to attain perpetual success. It is a more effective method to persuade the person. For instance, you can make a student read a book by intimidating him. However, if you cause him to like reading, then the student will read hundreds of books with his own will.

It is a manifestation of weakness to try to educate children by beating. In education, beating must be among the last solutions to be resorted to. Though our Prophet, upon him be peace, gave permission to this, he himself did not ever resort to beating. His knowledge based on revelation, unbounded tolerance, deep love, sincere feelings, unlimited mercy sufficed to conquer the hearts of people. He is a sultan of hearts. His spiritual sultanate still continues in hearts and will continue forever.

The influence of the kings who base their rule on force is transient on people. Even though they continue their sultanate for a time by intimidating, they cannot for ever.

The education carried out must raise free people, not robotic ones, and these free people must be able to use this freedom in goodness and beneficent works. Otherwise, the freedom used in evils is nothing more than a disaster.

Sources
1. Al-Kahf, 29.
2. Al-Insan, 3.
3. Al-Baqarah, 256.
4. Bukhari, Faith, 42; Muslim, Faith, 95; Tirmidhi, Birr, 17.
5. Bukhari, Jihad, 164; Muslim, Jihad, 71; Ebu Davud, Edeb, 17.