(16) Article
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
(By Mehmood-ul-Bari)
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"Knowledge Under the Shadow of Poverty: The Struggle of the Ummah's Unknown Religious Scholars and Our Responsibility"
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All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and upon all his family and companions.
A major tragedy of our Ummah is that many scholars, whose knowledge was for the guidance of humanity, the service of religion, and social awareness, could not fully utilize their energy, passion, and knowledge due to economic difficulties, poverty, and helplessness. This problem is particularly acute in our country, India, where many scholars have sacrificed their intellectual power to poverty and, burdened by the weight of life, have had to retreat from their mission.
Knowledge is the capital of the soul, but it requires physical, economic, and spiritual facilities for its protection. When knowledge is not accompanied by resources, many scholars are forced to compromise. Some are forced to work in madrasas for limited salaries, where their ideas and scope of service are limited. Some work in mosques, but even there, the lack of financial resources prevents them from working freely. Some cannot make progress simply because the burden of their lives is entangled with daily difficulties, and the time, energy, and environment for using knowledge are not available.
The impact of poverty on knowledge can be seen in several dimensions:
Due to poverty, the seeker or holder of knowledge constantly faces financial worries.
The burden of rent, children's education, and daily necessities troubles the mind, and the time to focus on knowledge is reduced.
In a state of mental fatigue and anxiety, it becomes difficult to concentrate on deep study, research, and teaching.
Due to lack of financial resources, many scholars are deprived of buying new books, accessing research materials, or receiving education from higher academic centers.
As a result, the progress of knowledge stops, and they limit themselves to their limited experience.
The exchange of knowledge decreases, leading to isolation in the academic field.
As the burden of life increases on knowledge, one is forced to become subordinate to others:
Limited salary and lack of individual freedom in a madrasa or religious institution eliminate intellectual autonomy.
In this state, one thinks twice before presenting their ideas, fearing that they might be restricted or their needs might be affected.
Knowledge begins to be seen as a burden rather than a service, and the student or scholar becomes distant from religious affairs and becomes only a part of daily life.
Despair and fatigue replace spiritual enthusiasm.
Many scholars teach in only one madrasa or maktab for a low salary, and their ideas or plans are confined to the boundaries of the institution. They do not have the ability to make independent plans for the service of religion. Many scholars are limited to leading prayers or minor religious programs because the lack of financial resources, the politics of the institution, and the feeling of being deprived of expansion become obstacles in their path.
Many scholars have limited their intellectual energy and are working only to make a living. They have a passion for serving the religion, but the busyness of life dims that passion. Their knowledge, which could illuminate the Ummah, has been limited to a few people. A scholar who researches, writes a book, or speaks openly about issues in a sermon is forced to limit their speech by being subject to the institution or financial support. The worries that come with poverty, lack of self-confidence, feelings of inferiority, and despair affect academic activities.
There are many scholars whose research, hard work, and service have not been recognized because no effort was made to promote their work, nor was their financial situation such that they could bring their services to the forefront. These scholars are living and departing from the world in anonymity, without their knowledge becoming a guide for the Ummah.
The Quran and Hadith; and the sayings of scholars boost your morale;
Allah Almighty says:
"وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا" (Taha: 114)
That is, "And say: O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge."
This prayer indicates that seeking knowledge and increasing it is an act of worship, but its protection is also necessary.
In another place, Allah says:
"وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُوْلَٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءَ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُوْلَٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا" (An-Nisa: 69)
That is, whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with those upon whom Allah has bestowed favor, such as the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"طلب العلم فريضة على كل مسلم"
That is, seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim man and woman.
Similarly:
"وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ" – Do not despair of the mercy of Allah.
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ" – Indeed, Allah is with the patient.
"من سلك طريقا يلتمس فيه علما سهل الله له طريقا إلى الجنة" – Whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.
Scholarly Service and Collective Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the Ummah to keep the service of knowledge alive by giving these scholars respect, financial support, and time. Institutions should not take more work from scholars without understanding their needs and should protect their intellectual freedom. The economic needs of those who serve the religion should be taken care of so that the lamp of knowledge remains lit. Every individual should help them according to their means, participate in scholarly gatherings, and encourage them by listening to them.
Allama Iqbal (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
"Knowledge is the lamp that illuminates the darkness, and service is the path through which knowledge gets life."
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"Acquire knowledge with a pure intention, so that its blessings bring sustenance and honor, and peace to the heart."
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
"Keep knowledge alive as long as you have the passion to use it for the benefit of humanity."
Serving knowledge is serving religion. If we do not value our scholars, ignore their poverty, and restore their passion, our intellectual heritage will weaken, and future generations will be deprived of guidance.
If the individuals of the Ummah work together, scholars will not have to be defeated by poverty.
If every person, according to their ability:
✔ Gives gifts,
✔ Gives time,
✔ Spreads knowledge,
✔ Holds gatherings,
✔ Motivates others to cooperate as well,
Then many scholars who are suffering from despair today can once again convey their knowledge to the people and be at the forefront of serving the religion.
This service is also an act of worship, and protecting knowledge is also a means of making the paths to Paradise easier.
May Allah grant us all the passion to serve knowledge, give us patience in difficulties, and grant us the ability to use our knowledge for the benefit of the Ummah. Amen.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you