I would like to say to our emerging ulama that receiving degrees is not the end of their pursuit. They should take it as the beginning of a great mission, which they have to pursue throughout their life. They should carry on their study, develop better insight into various Islamic disciplines, acquaint themselves with modern challenges to Islam, and study the efforts which scholars of Islam are making to meet them. They should study the movements to revive Islam that are going on in various parts of the world and see what they can contribute to it. They should also see what role they are to play in the development of Muslim community in India, as well as other communities.
I have said the securing degrees should not be taken by students as the end of their learning career. They must continue their studies. The reason is that the syllabus which is generally followed in Islamic Jamiyat was designed centuries ago. Though some changes have been made subsequently yet the entire concept, the syllabus prescribed, the books recommended, the method of teaching, and the participation of students in the process have not been changed very much. Though compared to the institutions in the rest of the country, more changes have occurred in the institutions of Kerala, particularly in our Jamia, due to various factors such as, more active contact with educational institutions in Gulf States, the availability of Arab publications, and at times teachers. But even this is far behind what is required when one sees the speed with which changes are happening in the field of education in the West. To give an example, in Western Universities Comparative Religion is a common subject. This is not the case in Indian Universities. An effort was made to teach the subject in some Arabic Jami’at. It was started, for instance, in the Dar al-Ulum Deoband, but not before long it was discontinued. A beginning has been made in our Jamiah. The students of Kulliyat al-Dawah who will be awarded post-graduate degree in Dawah have been introduced to other religions. However, if they really want to do anything worthwhile, they will have to continue their study, particularly of religions of Indian origin for a long time.
The comparative study of religions goes back to the earliest times. Inspired by the Qur’anic critique of shirk (polytheism), earliest scholars like Abu Bakr Baqallani (d.404/1063), Abd al-Qahir Baghdadi (d.429/1037), Ibn Hazm (d.456/1063) Shahristani (d.548/1150), Ibn Taymiyah (d. 738/1328) and al-Beruni (d.440/1048) have studied various religions and produced important works. This tradition should be revived, and making use of modern methods, our ulama should carry further the study of world religions. But first of all they should direct their attention to the study of Indian religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and the religions of the Adivasis, forest dwellers.
During the first half of the 20th century, the ulama of Islam initiated the revival of Islam on a large scale, both in the west and the east. They produced impressive literature demonstrating the rationality of Islamic faith, the life-promoting nature of Islamic values, and the society-building capacity of Islamic Shari’ah. They gave a call to the Ummah to rise up, and change its own destiny. They addressed the Muslim youth, boys and girls to renew their commitment to Islam, work hard and do whatever they can to revive Islam, to restore its earliest glory, establish peace and justice in society, and save humanity from going down to animality.
Our young ulama should study the whole revivalist movement thoroughly, find out what is to be retained, what is to be reformed, and what is to be changed or dropped. The position of the Ummah in this endeavour has been stated in the Qur’an in these words: “You are the best nation brought forth for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.” (3:110) But the role of the ulama community has been described in the way: “And from amongst you there must be a party who will call people to all that is good and enjoin the doing of all that is right and forbid the doing of all that is wrong. It is they who will attain true success.” (3:105) The struggle to revive Islam, expound it to the world, persuade people to adopt it and organise their whole life, individual and social, according to Islamic principles, has been critically reviewed in the West. Leaving out the articles of Islamic faith – unity of God, prophecy of Muhammad, peace be with him, life hereafter, and the foundation of this faith, the Holy Qur’an, and its authenticity – everything else of Islam has been subjected to criticism. Most severe criticism, however, has been directed against Islamic political system, and the form and role of women in family and society.
Islamic position on these two issues has been spelled out and defended by various Muslim scholars, though they have differed in some matters of detail. Students are advised to go through all the literature on the subject and form their own opinion. Differences on such issues should be tolerated and should not be allowed to divide the Muslim community. The Qur’an has warned against it in strong terms. It has said: “Hold fast together to the cable of Allah, and be not divided,” and “Do not be like those who fell into factions and opposed one another after clear signs had come to them. A mighty chastisement awaits them.” (3:103,106)
The importance of avoiding disagreement in matters of detail and acting as a cohesive party increases several times in face of hostile powers, Western and Eastern, which want to divide the Muslim Ummah, and crush them one by one. The Ulama of Islam have to take notice of this phenomenon, warn the Ummah against its damaging consequences and act as one body to counter it.
Scholars of Islam in India have a greater responsibility towards their own community, which does not have safety of life and property as others have, nor has a say in the government at the centre or in the states, and is far behind others in many fields – in education, in government services, in economy and in politics. In religion, too, the condition of the ummah is far below the desirable level. The responsibility of the ulama in this regard is more than any other responsibility. They have to take it seriously and work hard.
This is, however, not the end. They have also a responsibility towards the non-Muslim community of India, particularly those who are down-trodden, have been denied all human dignity, and have been living in a humiliating condition for millenniums. A step towards restoring human dignity to this suppressed class is a great work of worship to Allah, our Creator and Lord. To work for peace and tranquillity, justice and dignity, for each and every person, man or woman, in the country and the world, irrespective of his or her belief and faith, race and language is a great service not only to humanity but also to God. Our Prophet has said: “Beings created by God are His family, and the best among you are those who are best to His family.”
Our young ulama cannot fulfil these responsibilities unless they execute them with a heart moving with fear and love of God. About fear the Qur’an reminds: “From among the servants of the Lord it is the ulama who truly fear Him.” (35:28)
And about love it exhorts: “Those who truly believe love Allah more than anything else.” (2:165)
[Excerpted from Prof. M. Abdul Haq Ansari’s convocation address at Jamia Islamia Santhapuram, Kerala, of which he is Chancellor.]