the Message Continues ... 6/16
Article 6
Intellectual
Stagnation
By: Shehzad Saleem
The article was published in Renaissance Islamic Journal* - Vol: 8 Nos: 5-6
courtesy: islamicity.com
The last few centuries bear witness to a sharp decline in the
individual as well as the collective affairs of the Muslims. All over the globe,
they seem to have lost their identity. They appear to be dispossessed of the
real spirit of Islam, and have been stripped of the position of esteem they once
held in the comity of nations. Though they have with them the last and final
word of the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, yet it no longer plays a
vibrant role in their lives.
One very significant reason for this sorry state of affairs is the intellectual
stagnation, which generally exists about religion. Two root causes of this
intellectual decadence and backwardness are apparent to every keen eye:
1. The ailment of Taqlid (blind following), both at the level of the religious
scholars as well as at that of the masses.
2. A complete disregard of the role of human intellect in matters of religion.
An elaboration of these two points, which are actually the two sides of the same
coin, follows:
Our religious institutes all over the Ummah, which produce religious scholars,
are actually the source of this Taqlid syndrome. Here, a student from the very
first day is labeled as an orthodox follower of a particular sect. His destiny
seems to be carved out beforehand as a devout denouncer of every other sect and
an ardent acclaimer of his own. He is made to believe that only his brand of
beliefs is in direct conformity with the Qur'an and Sunnah. He is brainwashed
with the notion that only his sect has been divinely blessed with the true
version of Islam. An inference attributed to a highly revered scholar of his
sect stands supreme until the Day of Judgment.
That it can be challenged by explicit reasoning derived from the Qur'an and
Sunnah cannot be dared thought of. On the contrary, it becomes part of his faith
that such a scholar cannot falter.
It is this superhuman veneration that has actually given rise to the menace of
religious sectarianism. Differences in opinion have often developed into severe
conflicts. An atmosphere charged with lightning and resounding with thunder
prevails amongst the religious circles. Every now and then, a new episode of
defamation erupts form our mosques, which are unfortunately being
used for these malignant offensives. The intense disregard the various sects
have for one another has led them to violate all norms of decency. Even
unethical tactics are employed to safeguard their own views and interests.
Like nations at war, they continue their crusades against each other -- while,
very close to them, the forces of evil mock at them and continue to flourish.
With this concept of Taqlid prevailing among the religious scholars, the common
man also has been led to associate himself with the scholars of a particular
sect. Instead of weighing the opinions of various scholars and accepting the one
which is the most convincing to their intellect they blindly follow an imam's
directive however much they may be convinced against
it. The greatest ill effect of this approach is that following religion becomes
a mechanical process; it does not flow out from one's heart and does not bring
about a change in one's character and behavior. Since using one's intellect in
understanding religion has long been done away with, the Qur'an is read but not
understood. Its greatest utility was providing guidance to
mankind; now it is mainly used for reciting for the dead.
If the above mentioned thesis is correct, then there is a need to bring about an
intellectual awakening in the Muslims. The most effective way to do this perhaps
is to produce highly competent scholars of Islam who are able to directly access
and interpret the sources of Islam and thus are able to break the shackles of
Taqlid. They should be groomed in a manner that they can face the challenge of
the modern era.
Until and unless efforts are made to produce such scholars, there is a very
little chance that the Ummah can come out of its current state of deterioration.
Author Shehzad Saleem resides in Pakistan and is a writer for Renaissance
Islamic Journal. This article was first published in 1998.
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