Today, approximately ten to twenty thousand graduates and Huffaz (those who have memorized the Quran) graduate from thousands of Madrasas (Islamic schools) in India every year, adorned with the "Dastar-e-Fazilat" (graduation turban). White attire, a radiant turban on their head, and a certificate of the Quran and Hadith in their hands—seemingly a spiritual scene, but behind this scene lies a horrifying reality. When these 'Wariseen-e-Ambiya' (heirs of the prophets) step into practical life from the four walls of the Madrasa, they have no clear path to the future.
Tragedy: Eight Years of Hard Work and the Struggle of Life
A student spends eight to ten precious years of his life only in the sounds of "Qala Allah" (Allah said) and "Qala al-Rasool" (the Messenger said). But when he graduates, he realizes that the number of mosques and Madrasas is very less compared to these graduates. What is the result? That child, who once dreamed of the exaltation of religion, sometimes resorts to 'Taweez Gandon' (amulets and charms), sometimes stages the drama of exorcising Jinns from women, and sometimes prints fake receipts and goes around asking for donations to quench the fire of his wife and children's stomachs. Did we prepare these children for this day?
Heart-wrenching Reality
The truth is that the wealthy class of society looks at these Ulema (religious scholars) as if they are 'beggars'. Those Ulema who show us the path of God from the pulpit and Mihrab (niche in a mosque), in their personal lives, they are scared, intimidated, and forced to say 'yes sir, yes sir' because their sustenance has been placed in the hands of these wealthy people.
Islam never said that the one who works for religion should be cut off from the world. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) was a trader, Hazrat Umar (RA) used to trade, and Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) was a big silk merchant.
1. Inclusion of Vocational Skills:
The administrators of Madrasas should dedicate the time from Zuhr (afternoon prayer) to Asr (late afternoon prayer) to teach children a skill. Motorcycle repair, washing machine, refrigerator, air conditioner repairing, or at least tailoring (sewing and embroidery) should be taught.
2. Halal (lawful) Sustenance and Dignity of Knowledge:
When a Hafiz or Alim (religious scholar) earns and eats with his own hands, he will never hesitate to speak the truth while sitting on the pulpit. He will not have to flatter any wealthy person. He will be able to teach religion for free from Fajr (dawn prayer) to Zuhr because his livelihood will be supported by his own skill.
3. Change in the Education System:
Big Madrasas should not only produce Alims but also 'self-sufficient Alims'. If we do not change our policy today, then, God forbid, future generations will refrain from going to Madrasa because the question of the stomach becomes heavier than faith.
Last Word:
This is not the time to cry, but to act. If the administration of Madrasas does not want to become oppressive, then it has to think about the future of the children. Serving religion can only be done with dignity when the one who teaches religion does not extend a begging hand to anyone.