Quenching A Future Imam's Learning Aspiration
There is a core essence of Tablīgh and boundaries that govern it. We have been given ta῾līm (guidance) for everything and this ta῾līm is of a very pure nature. So pure that even the theories of elite philosophers also fail to produce something similar.
Which is the Beneficial Knowledge?
Arabic is a very important language which ought to be learnt. It is not possible to understand Sharīah in its entirety without knowing Arabic; but in case one is unable to learn this Shar’ī knowledge in entirety then this should not be a reason to abandon some form of lower category of Islamic learning (e.g. basic understanding of Islam in Urdu language) as well.
[Continuing from the talk of “Obligation of Tablīgh”, Maulāna Ashraf Ali Thānvi rehmatullāhi alayh says]
dome_insideThese days some people have started to think that the work of tablīgh is the sole duty of ulamā. If it is the sole duty of ulamā then let these ulamā also keep fast on your behalf, and you may go ahead and live a life free of any religious restriction. This is just like some villagers used to think and perhaps there is still a place where similar thinking may exist….
While asking a question to an Alim some people put a condition that the proof should be referenced from Qur’an. Ulama also try to fulfill this request and struggle to establish their answer from Qur’an. However, when the Usool (Sources of Proof) in Shariah are four, Qur’an, Hadeeth, Ijmaa’ Ummah and Qiyas, then every Alim has a right to establish his answer either from Qur’an or from Hadeeth etc. How far would one go to establish proof from Qur’an? If all the masa’il (juristic problems) could be deduced from the Qur’an alone, then what would be the need for the remaining sources?…
[In a talk expounding the need for attaining Quranic Education, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi r.a states]
“The correct method of attaining Secular Education is to:
Firstly, acquire religious education. One should consult an Alim and chart out a course for oneself.
Secondly, one should keep a connection with the company of Ulama.
Thirdly, refrain from reading books from different methodologies and only read the material of Ulama e Haqq.
“What should we do with such an advancement and education which destroys ones religion? Such education is worthy of being burnt to ashes. The reason (often given) for the need of this secular education is so that on may earn ones livelihood. Although even in this notion, we take an issue with the term ‘need’ because the advancement of the world does not revolve around secular education, it can be achieved in a much better sense through trading etc., but the new age has accepted this notion so blindly that it considers even challenging it an ignorance.