Hadrat Umar took special interest in imparting Islamic knowledge to the Muslims. The Holy Qur'an was compiled in a Book form during the period of Hadrat Abu Bakr on Umar's (Raziallah Anho) insistence. He established schools for teaching the Holy Qur'an in all the conquered territories. Such schools were located in the Masjids. A number of writers like Ibn-i-Jauzi (see "Sirat Umar") have mentioned that the teachers of such schools received good salaries. Besides teaching the Holy Qur'an they also trained the people in reading and writing. The Huffaz (i.e. the Muslims who commit whole of the Holy Qur'an to their memory) were specially honoured.

In the provinces of Syria and Palestine following teachers were appointed: ‘Ubadah bin Samit, Mu'adh bin Jabal and Abu Darda (Rid. A.). They established schools in Hims, Palestine (Jerusalem) and Damascus.

Hadrat Abu Sufyan was appointed to teach Bedouins. He was asked to test the knowledge of the Muslims learning the Holy Qur'an. It was compulsory for every Muslim to memorise sufficient part of the Holy Qur'an especially Surahs al-Baqrah;an-Nisa,al-Ma’idah; an-Nisa, al-Ma'idah, al-Hajj and an-Nur (Chapters, 2, 4, 5, 22 and 24 of the Holy Qur'an). In these Surahs Islamic laws and principles are described elaborately. To know basic Islamic laws was compulsory. Thus the concept of compulsory education was introduced at a time when nobody knew about it. The students memorising whole of the Qur'an by heart were given scholarships and other facilities.

He also appointed teachers to teach Hadith and Islamic Law. Hadrat 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Raziallah Anho) was sent to Kufa; hia'qal bin Yair (Raziallah Anho), and 'Imran bin Hasin (Raziallah Anho) to Basra, Hadrat Ubadah bin Samit used to teach Hadith and Islamic Law as well in Syria besides the Holy Qur'an.

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