As pointed out by Abdul Qadir Audh Shaheed in his Islam Between Ignorant Followers and Incapable Scholars knowledge-wise broadly there are three groups among Muslims namely the Uneducated, the Western-educated and the Islamically-educated.
The uneducated look to the Islamically-educated in matters they consider exclusively religious and listen to western educated in other matters whereas in reality all matters pertaining to human life are an integral part. Allah says: ‘Surely you have nothing to do with those who have made divisions in their religion and have split into factions.’(6:159).
Allah says: “O mankind! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord and a cure for what is in the hearts, and a guide and blessing to true believers. Say, ‘In the grace and mercy of God let them rejoice, for these are better than the worldly riches which they hoard.’(10:57-58).”
Yet we find people being pennywise and pound foolish, rather more than that by not utilising their time appropriately but passing it in activities such as watching ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, ‘Big Boss’, ‘Indian Idol’, ‘American Idol’ etc. etc. while being fully aware that no power can bring back even a fraction of a second that is moving every one of us towards the end of our worldly existence.
‘And obey Allah and the Messenger, that mercy be shown to you. And hasten to the forgiveness of your Lord and to a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the God-fearing who spend in the way of Allah both in affluence and hardship, who restrain their anger, and forgive others. Allah loves such good doers.’ (3:132-134).
Many of us forget that all prosperity and adversities we face presently is a test from Allah who expects us to be steadfast in either case. ‘And He makes men go through trials in order that He might purge the believers and blot out those who deny the Truth. Did you think that you would enter Paradise even though Allah has not yet seen who among you strove hard in His Way and remained steadfast?’ (3:142&143).
The Prophet’s favourite prayer was: ‘Our Lord, give us what is good both in this world and in the hereafter, and guard us from the torment of the fire (2:200).’
An impartial look at Islamic guidance in various matters convinces us that it is the only way-out for establishment of a unique welfare state as exemplified in history during the period of Prophet and the four rightly guided caliphs. This is also on account of its ‘Perfection’, ‘Excellence’, and ’Permanence’, being based on the final revision of divine revelation.
The Muslim Ummah, of which a majority are uneducated, is in immediate need of Islamic education, along with modern sciences not blindly on the lines of western system which considers various walks of life like politics, ethics, social obligations, legal system etc. as separate watertight compartments.
To conclude, ‘Is he who walks grovelling upon his face better guided, or he who walks upright upon a straight path?’(67:22).