FACEBOOK DEBATE
- Classical Scholars Vs. "Sheikh ul Google":
When the above image (click to enlarge or download) was posted on Facebook by me, a debate followed. I am certainly not a scholar and only tried to answer a few things concerning the challenges we face in these times when modern technology is at our disposal:
THE DEBATE:
Mr. A: Despite all available technologies we are still far behind from these scholars. They had more wisdom than us.
Roman: Absolutely,
there is no doubt. But there are still many bona fide and wise scholars
even today. The concern in the post above is more about the youth who
think they know all the answers just because they have internet
access...
Ms. A: Not
wisdom only, but research, inventions made them world leaders.. In
medicine .eye diseases/ operations .dental
instruments.travelogues.astronomy ...maths .. Shipping navy.....name it
Roman: That's
true, Muslims were the pioneers in scientific advancement but the post
above is about Islamic knowledge and research. It's a sensitive matter
in these times when everybody can now easily access so much matter on
Internet. Especially the youth and so they need to be careful.
Mr. B: Young
man has every right to refute any of the statements he honestly thinks
are wrong. It is entirely true that many of our scholars of old have
been found to be wrong time and time again , and there are others whose
works have stood ths test of time . Let our youth question knowledge
which an earlier generation took for Gospel truth , and give them the
opportunity of gathering knowledge by themselves, and while examining
and putting to test our 'ancient ' knowledge . This is how civilization
develops ,by looking forward , not backward , the ancient words can only
be a guide for further investigation and development Syed Roman Ahsan,
sir, never ever tell a youth to "be careful" when he is learning , dont
put a handcuff on him before be begins his study .
Roman: Excuse
me but I strongly disagree with your approach because the
post above is about learning Islam from Internet. A lot of information
on Internet is fake or also put there by enemies of Islam. A young mind
is not able to distinguish right from wrong there and also the most
important thing is to "practice Islam" rather than just refuting
theories of old scholars. The best way to learn Islam is in live classes
or books/CDs recommended by senior people or teachers. Religion is a
very serious thing, we cannot take it lightly and every care is needed.
JazaakAllah.
Mr. A: The
basic problem is Knowledge vs Information. People of that era had no
information technology so their intention was to get knowledge but we
are living in the era of information and so many times we forget to
verify the source of information, we accept it without verification.
Mr. B: Sorry,
I seems to have misunderstood the basic matter of learning about Islam
from internet that you were kind enough to point out . I entirely agree
with you that lot o stuff on the internet , on the facebook about
Islam , is first class nonsense. However,I
remember an occasion when my young son could not find any information
on a particular subject in the British Library, usually a very good
source,two other libraries or Encyclopedia Britannica , he goggled for
it on the internet and found a wealth of information. Internet is an
invaluable source of information, however since personal understanding
rather then the precise and correct information about Islam is
presented by almost all,if we tell our youngsters the names of the
scholars we believe are correct, that should help.
Mr. C: World
has turned into Global village. The communication gap has been filled
with technology. You may say it was possible due to research of
Classical Scholars that modern world has changed so much. So I think
working like "Sheikh ul Google" isn't bad. You
get same amount of knowledge in couple minutes which took several days
in past. It doesn't require any travel because you've access to internet
and all the stuff is connected somehow.
Mr. D: Tragedy of our new Generation...
Roman: @ Mr. C: For all other knowledge and info, Internet is helpful. And for Islam
also, it does help a great deal. I myself compiled a book on Islam "THE
FORGOTTEN TRAIL" in 2007 with articles from Internet. However, I got the
content (Qur'an and hadith
references) verified from Qur'an Academy in Lahore and I was 37 years
old at that time which means mature enough to see right from wrong since
I have interest in Islam since youth. The danger here is when youth
start acting as "KNOW-ALL" on Islam matters when they are not trying to
bring Islam in their lives or to practice Islam. Only that concern has
been shown in the above image. And there are many different theories and
ideologies on Islam. A young mind is not able to identify the good from
bad. For example, the Ahmedis sect also promotes their version of
Islam, when we know that Ahmedis or Qadiyanis are not Muslims. That's
why the post above is significant. Mr. B, now I hope you will
understand my concern.
Mr. B: Roman sahab, as I have said above , I do now share your
concern. So it boils down to senior members of the famly advising the
youngsters who is a true " scholar" and who is not , so that they may
be guided rightly .We also need to note
that over the last300- 400 years of so , an important aspect of Islam,
as was taught by the Prophet to his Sahabis , who then passed it down ,
was wiped clean, and Islam for most part become a simple ritual , and a
set of conducts in social affairs .Due to which Salat , which is
basically a dialogue between the banda and his Rabb, cannot take its
true shape ,and at the end of the five salats per day , we are still
left empty and hungry , for what , we know not .Because that is
supposed to establish a connection between the banda and his Rabb, is
missing .This essential missing link of Islam is Tasauuf .Add the flavor
of this to your package on Islam , and your life changes and you grow
spiritually to heights you could not have imagined and Namaz finally
brings peace into our hearts and our lives .
Roman: @ Mr. B: Sir,
that is true. Elders in the family should advise but unfortunately most
elders in today's Pakistan are drowned in media attractions without
caring for Islam. Most respectfully, I am 43 years old and have been
researching on Islam since 2005 but it's
a life-long quest. Islam is a complete social, economic, personal and
spiritual code of life and we do have the unaltered copy of Qur'an since
1400 years, so we can begin with it followed by Hadith literature
(sayings of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh). And then many practicing Muslims
(and Auwliya Allah) over the centuries have written books on their
spiritual experiences, so they can also serve as guides and are very
much there. Qur'an guides us about many other things and then it also
tells us that we should pray in congregation. So we can try to go to
mosque and offer our Salah (Namaaz) there.
Sir, Tassawwuf
and Sufism of today's world is mostly infiltrated with practices which
have nothing to do with Islam and they have been planted by our enemies.
However, I still appreciate your concern here and agree with you. Here
is a very good lecture on Tassawwuf by Pakistani Scholar Prof. Ahmad Rafique Akhtar, and sharing with you here for your interest. Please do listen to it and share your views..
Base of Mysticism - part 1 (What is tasawwuf? What is Sufi?)
Complete lecture follows in part 2 and part 3
Base of Mysticism - part 1 (What is tasawwuf? What is Sufi?)
Complete lecture follows in part 2 and part 3
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