"Read in the Name of Allah" and "Read the Names of Allah" in Islamic Education
'Read in the Name of Allah' literally means reading anything with the intention of doing it for the sake of Allah. While 'Read the Names of Allah' literally means to read up the 99 Names of Allah or the attributes of Allah. Although both actions are important and highly encouraged in Islam, the first is claimed to be much related to Islamic Education according to many scholars. "Read / Proclaim! In the Name of Your Lord" - Al-Alaq:1 - This verse is the first revelation from Allah s.w.t. to the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and it is being discussed by scholars of the past as well as contemporary scholars to be the basis of seeking knowledge in Islam. In this verse, the word iqra' have a wide meaning and it does not limit the reading to any particular topic or area, whether religious or non-religious, whether academic or non-academic. It opens up the call to seek knowledge through reading. The only condition of this verse is to read in the Name of Allah