Faith-Based Education: A Universal Remedy

Education, religious or worldly, has played an important role in the growth of individuals and societies. Since the inception of human beings, societies have been teaching their individuals according to their values, practices and beliefs. Like other, Islamic societies have been practicing this method of educating their people about the religious beliefs and worldly wisdom in order to play a constructive role in the development and prosperity of community. With the passage of time and owing to advancement of modern trends, religious or spiritual teaching is facing sever threats and somehow it is losing its valuable scope in the current era. In the past, Muslims societies earned a reputable and prestigious status in the domain of religious and worldly learning in the middle ages, Muslims communities were center of comparative intelligence. Equal importance was paid to both kinds of learning. Religious or faith oriented learning was used to polish and modify the moral and spirituality of individuals. It taught how to live and deal with other fellows in the society. Building of strong Relationship or link between God and person was utmost aim of it. The teachings of the Holy Quran and traditions of the holy prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) have been the major source of types of knowledge for Muslims. Doctrines of Islam have always granted a special standing to gain of education. Hence, believers of Islam created a system of comparative education based on wisdom of learning of faith and the world. That system of knowledge brought a tremendous transformation and advancement in the 9th-10th century. During that period, Muslim scientists and scholars altogether changed the outlook of societies. It was golden period of Muslims. They gained a complete grip on science, social science, political, philosophy, psychology and legal subjects. People from the west used to come and learn from their experience and research. All these people were not only well-known in worldly edification but they were also scholar of Quran, Hadiths, Fiqa and other divine learning. Ibn Sina, Al-Farabi and Al kindi were some famous names of that golden era. They established vibrant center of knowledge like in Cairo they developed Al Azhar and Bay-ul Hikma of Bagdad. But there was a clear decline witnessed I later centuries. Muslims lost their authority on subjects. Through Madressahs, mystical education was used to given. During period of colony, a sharp difference was created between spiritual and worldly knowledge. People of sub-continent were most victimized in this case. After that decline, followers are still struggling for comparative schooling. Currently, Madressahs are imparting spiritual knowledge and schools, colleges and universities are assigned to promote secular and worldly teaching. Scholars believe that a balanced form of wisdom is need of hour in order to counter the current challenge faced by human beings. A flexible and inclusive approach of teaching will bring a communal harmony and infuse an environment of pluralistic society. Whereas, rigid and stiff mindset in spiritual teaching will cause inter sect and inter spiritual conflicts and issues. N their intensity will lead us towards a parasitic society.