INTRODUCTION
1. GENERAL
Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quraan: “Read! In the name of your Lord and Cherisher, who created; created man out of a mere clot of congealed blood. Read! And your Lord is Most Bountiful; He Who taught with the pen. (He Who) taught man that which he knew not.” (96: 1-5)
Our beloved Master, Nabee Muhammad [Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam] is reported to have stated: “The seeking of knowledge [education] is obligatory upon every Muslim.”
The knowledge that a Muslim is required to seek could be broadly classified into TWO categories… viz.:
Divine Sciences
1.1 Knowledge which is based on the Divine Scriptures … the values embodied in this category are permanent. The knowledge content of this category is not subject to change. It is permanently and unambiguously defined in the Noble Quraan and the illuminating Sunnah of the Master, Nabee Muhammad [Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam].
Acquired Sciences
1.2 Practical and other life-skills, technical knowledge and technology … the very concept, nature and content of this category is ever so dynamic. With time and other technical or technological advancements, the knowledge in this category also changes.
The quest and search for this knowledge never ceases… in effect it continues from “cradle to grave”.
2. THE BROAD AIMS OF MAKTAB-BASED EDUCATION
Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quraan: “Say! Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are [all] for Allah Ta’ala, The Cherisher of the worlds. No partner has He; this I am commanded and I am the first of those who submit to His will.” (6: 162-163)
“I have only created jinn and humankind so that they worship Me.” (51: 56)
“Behold, your Lord said to the angels; I will create a vicegerent on earth…” (2: 30)
Viewed from an overall perspective, the broad AIMS of the maktab-based educational programme could be summarized as follows:
2.1 The recognition of Allah [Subhanahu wa Ta’ala] as defined for the ummah by our beloved Master, Nabee Muhammad [Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam];
2.2 The unwavering thirst and drive to gain the pleasure of Allah [Subhanahu wa Ta’ala];
2.3 Emulating the blessed and noble sunnah [ways] of our beloved Master, Nabee Muhammad [Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam];
2.4 Practising [making amal] on the material learnt at the maktab; and
2.5 Engaging in the propagation of the message of Deen [Da’wah].
3. THE ROAD TO REALISNG THESE LOFTY AIMS
“Say: truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are [all] for Allah ta’ala, The Cherisher of the worlds. No partner has He; this I am commanded and I am the first to submit to His Will.” (6: 162/3)
The seeking of knowledge for the fulfilment of worldly needs and wants are based on mundane aspirations and fervour. On the contrary, the acquisition of Deeni Knowledge is the complete opposite.
3.1 Success in the acquisition of Deeni Knowledge is almost totally dependent upon the creation of a strong “Allah pleasing” spirit;
3.2 Additionally, this spirit needs to occupy the most supreme position in the over all Maktab-based educational programme;
3.3 At every step, the maktab should be striving to create men and women with strong faith [imaan] as well as sound and wholesome Deeni Knowledge;
3.4 In Islam, the pursuit of knowledge without reference to the spiritual [roohaani] aim… that every human being ought to be striving for… cannot do mankind much good;
3.5 Whichever way one looks at it, the eventual test of the validity of such an education will be determined by… how strong and deep is the person’s awareness of Allah [Subhanahu wa Ta’ala] ‘s presence in the universe; and
3.6 If this awareness is absent and/or contorted, then it is a clear indication of that “education” being at odds with the Deeni notion of education.