Religious Schools: Their Mission and Role (Part One)
Abstract
Religious schools are among the strongest and most dynamic centers of knowledge, vitality, and prosperity, nourishing their surroundings from the fountain of prophetic life and irrigating the fields of human existence. Indeed, religious schools are the sources of knowledge, guidance, and enlightenment, under whose shadow the Islamic society remains flourishing and vibrant. Therefore, it is crucial for the Islamic nation to recognize the status and importance of religious schools and seminaries, paying special attention to them so that these centers can effectively fulfill the responsibilities and missions they have undertaken. In this brief article, we will take a look at the history, importance, and mission of these academic centers to shed light on their status, dos and don’ts, and future prospects.
Keywords: Religious schools, history, importance, characteristics.
History of Religious Schools
The history of religious schools dates back to the era of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), their founder, who is the honor of all creation and the pride of the universe. The school’s most blessed days were when the merciful and compassionate Prophet would sit on a mat under a wooden roof, with the rays of prophetic illumination gathering around him, picking clusters from the threshing floor of prophethood and taking gems from the sea of knowledge. Indeed, at that moment, there was no place on earth or under the sky more blessed than that location.
The name of that blessed place was “Soffah.” Its students and scholars were known as “Ashab Al-Soffah.” Each member of that sacred group was so filled with sincere desire that they cared for nothing else except knowledge and understanding. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, was so fond of that simple, wooden building that he could hardly bear to be separated from it. Hours would pass without him finding anything to eat; yet despite this, he would not leave, eager to add a new gem to his knowledge.
History will not forget the incident when Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, fell to the ground. People passing by thought he had epilepsy and even placed their feet on his neck, unaware that he was not sick. Days passed without him even catching a whiff of food.
After the golden age of prophethood, various developments took place, and changes occurred in the quality of the school; however, there was no decline in its mission. The Islamic world felt a profound need for schools. Muslims entrusted their hearts and souls (i.e., their children) to these centers for education and training.
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