There have been two concepts of education in history: first, education for the sake of learning and second, education for the sake of training. Before the advent of Islam, the concept of education was very limited. Education was confined to two classes of people in society: the royalty and the clergy. The royal household including the princes and courtiers required education for their several needs. Education of the clergy was essential as they alone had the authority to perform and administer religious rites. According to ancient religions, a layman could not directly contact God. God could be contacted only through the priests and monks. Islam introduced the idea that human beings can contact God directly without requiring another person's mediation. God says in the Quran: "When My servants ask you about Me, say that I am near. I respond to the call of one who calls, whenever he calls to Me." (2:186) So, in previous ages education was meant only for the royalty and clergy. The contribution of Islam in this regard is that it helped education come out of the confines of a certain class of people. Scholars agree that Islam gave the concept of 'education for all'. After the advent of Islam, education spread far and wide. Every person was now required to educate himself in religion so that he could establish his contact with God. Islam also allowed equal opportunities for people by putting to an end the notion of superior and inferior races. All people were held equal. Scholars accept that Islam gave the idea of equality of people.
