12 students' desk

STUDENT DESK

ULAMA REACHING OUT TO THE WIDER WORLD THROUGH ENGLISH Ulama are responsible for leading mankind to right knowledge of Islam that enlightens their hearts and brightens their souls.

By Abdul Hafiz Qasmi The writer is a first year student of MMERC, Mumbai

W

e are seeing the trend nowadays that more and more ulama are taking to learning English language. This has become important for them or they want to propagate the correct message of Islam and also improve their status in life. Learning English provides them with the ability to express their thoughts in a medium which is used by millions around the world.

Through this language they can reach out to the educated masses of the Muslim community who are cut away from religion and cannot be reached without a proficiency in English, as well as to the wider non-Muslim world.

We have not sent you but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not. (Surah Saba—34: 28) We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures. (Surah Anbiya—21: 107) These verses of the Qur’an say clearly that the prophet Muhammad (saws) was sent down for all mankind, whether they are Muslims or not.

This is because all the prophets who preceded Prophet Muhammad (saws) were sent to a particular community or a particular country, and that is why the Shariah propagated by them 29 EASTERN CRESCENT | JUNE 2014

Graduates from HERF, Kanpur, UP with their teachers follwoing the completion of their 2-year Diploma in English Language & Literature

did not cover the entire world. The target was to reform just a particular people and therefore all the canons were issued accordingly. As opposed to this, the prophet Muhammad (saws) was sent for all of mankind and not for any particular community.

Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an: “Say (O’ Muhammad): O’ mankind! I am the messenger of Allah to you all…” (Surah A’raf—7: 158) And in an another verse of the Qur’an Allah says, “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the seal of the prophets, and Allah has full

knowledge of all things.” (Surah Ahzab—33: 40) These verses make it quite clear that no prophet would be sent to lead mankind and reform the people in the absence of the prophet Muhammad (saws). But some obvious questions strike in our minds that the members of human races have been increasing day by day with new faces, new hearts and new languages. What will be the relation between Islam and them?

What is an Islamic approach to them?

Who will show them the mirror of Islam?

First and foremost, it is necessary to clarify that Islam is the eternal and perfect religion of Allah, Allah has perfected it and regarded it

STUDENT DESK

MUALLIM-- the Muslim life style magazine from Mumbai is also published and run by English knowing ulama

as the favorite religion forever for all, as He says: “Truly, the (recognized) religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”

(Surah Al-Imran—3:19) It means there is a deep relation between mankind and Islam. There is no acceptable religion but Islam.

And the answers of the questions – who will lead mankind and represent the prophet instead of him, are the ulama. They are the assignees of the prophet-hood, as he said: “ulama are the successor of the prophets.”

Ulama are responsible for leading mankind to right knowledge of Islam that enlightens their hearts and brightens their souls.

Then a complicated question can strike the mind once again that how to make people understand while their languages are different? And it is obvious that to be an expert on all languages is not only very difficult but also impossible.

In the recent age, we see that English language is spreading throughout the world and it has become internationally popular language. People around the world 30 EASTERN CRESCENT | JUNE 2014

are not only accustomed to using the language; rather they feel proud using it. They pay attentive ear and behave respectfully to those who speak English. So, it is not only a medium of communication but it leaves a lot of effect and impact over people.

Without any doubt, learning English is very useful and important for service of Islam through out the world. So, the ulama must learn English language especially due to its importance for Dawah work. It is not only allowed to learn this language but also it is kind of wisdom. Because the Prophet (saws) asked Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit (ra) to learn Syrian language as he did not trust the Jews who used to communicate him in this very language. (Tirmidhi, Hadith 2639) The Glorious Qur’an says: “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful

As English has become a universally popular language it is quite natural that ulama are attracted to it so that they can preach the message of Islam through it to the entire world. preaching, and argue with the in ways that are best and most gracious.”

(Surah Nahal—16: 125) The prophet Muhammad (saws) demanded Muslims in his famous speech of farewell Hajj before more than a hundred thousand of his companions: “Beware! Those who are present should convey my

message to those who are absent.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1623) He was also reported to have said: “Preach my message even if it is a sentence.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3202) It has been mentioned that ulama are close to the Prophet (saws) and they are his successors. It is the duty of ulama to preach the message of the prophet (saws) globally. It is necessary for ulama that the rules and laws of Islam that they follow should not be attached to any particular community, clan or any one country, rather they are universal and ulama are responsible to preach them.

The universality of Islam means that the entire world is included in its message. Moreover, in it there are certain hidden principles and wisdom that guide and reform human beings, whether they belong to the old or new generation, whether they are white or black, or even from any race or colour. It embraces the entire humanity.

As English has become a universally popular language it is quite natural that ulama are attracted to it so that they can preach the message of Islam through it to the entire world.

Despite this universality, it does not mean that the entire world will necessarily accept it. On the other hand, the anti-Islamic elements spread many misconceptions about Islam and Muslims through English language, for the language of the major international media is English.

Only ulama can remove all the widespread misconceptions about Islam. They only can and they should change the atmosphere of pessimism into optimism for this deprived Muslim nation world over.