We are now a part of a rational, complex and highly integrated modern world. A world in which people do not have the patterns of interaction that they used to have hundred years or so ago. They now interact through Facebook and Twitter and make friends online. Young boys and girls shop online and often find their life partners there as well. This is the age of science and of ideas. And no one can stop or resist this inevitable change in the world, which is the result of growth, development and advancement of knowledge, science and technology. Those, no matter from where they belong, who are not willing to accept this reality are naïve.
Realistically speaking, in this rapidly changing world religion (here it means Islam) needs to be reinterpreted so that Muslim world may cope with the challenge of modernity.
Paradoxically, some of our religious leaders curse the study of science, but do use and take benefit of loudspeaker, internet, air-conditioners and all other luxurious objects which are the inventions of science or discoveries of modern philosophy. It is a moment of sheer disappointment that in 2016, students who study sociology or psychology are not appreciated and encouraged by our religious elite for learning such ‘un-Islamic’ subjects.
I wanted to learn about three things: Do our religious leadership accept the challenge of modernity or not? Do they have a plan to adjust themselves in this highly complex modern world? Or is there any alternative to escape from these strong waves of modernity?
With all this in mind, I approached Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, the son of Late. Dr. Sarfaraz Ahmed Naeemi. Dr. Raghib is currently the principal of Jamia Naeemia and also ex Vice Secretary of Tanzeemul Madaris.
Before moving on, I am grateful to one of my friends and a student at Jamia Naeemia, Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib who not only helped me in arranging this interview but also provided me a lot of information regarding Jamia Naeemia and other religious educational institutions.
The topic that I had to discuss with Dr. Raghib was very interesting and very important: Socio-political Theory of Islam--Context and Challenges. I outlined eight questions as follows:
1. Language: Our religious elite focus more upon Arabic language and completely ignore ‘other’ languages (the languages of the world). How will, even our religiously well-trained scholars, be able to communicate with rest of the world to preach the teachings of Islam?
2. Education and Contributions: A momin, in an Islamic view, is supposed to be well-informed about his surroundings and also he/she plays instrumental part in the progress of society. But what is the role of our current religious leadership in highly complex and integrated modern world?
3. Course Content: In almost all religious institutions (apart from a few exceptions) hundred years’ old books, philosophies, interpretations of the Holy Quran are being taught. Don’t you think we need fresh thinking and re-interpretation of Islam to cope with our modern-day issues?
4. Women Dress: Our women, particularly in cities like Islamabad and Lahore, wear dresses which our religious leaders are vocally uncomfortable with. Whose responsibility is it to enforce a religiously stated/designed/accepted dress (if any) for both males and females? Since the dominant idea of freedom of speech/expression is the fundamental principle of the modern world.
5. Extremism and Sectarianism: Sectarianism within the Muslim world in general and in Pakistan in particular is biggest challenge for the religious leadership to cope with. What does, in your view, cause religious extremism and who gets what from it? Any solution?
6. Failure: People in general are now more interested in secular ideas after experiencing ongoing religious extremism that brings nothing but hatred and bloodshed. Why could we not establish a counter-narrative to make people believe in the basic philosophy of Islam that is peace and love? Whose failure is this?
7. Political Order: Is the modern (western) concept of democracy compatible with the political theory of Islam? What is your political order in the age of Facebook and Twitter?
8. Interpretation: Who will interpret Islam in the 21st century to deal with the challenges of modernity and modern rational life? Who will be a mujtahid of this age of scientific advancement and technological sophistication?
Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi the author his book Aman Mera Haq
Firstly, Dr. Raghib accepted the challenge that modernity has posed. He is of the view that our madrassas (religious seminaries) should also learn other languages and particularly English language to communicate with and preach the message of Islam to the rest of the world. He, interestingly, clearly stated that there is no harm or any religious compulsion if someone learns English language. (He himself answered my question in English language)
Secondly, he agreed that a true religious scholar in this age must have, apart from the knowledge of Quran and Sunnah, reasonable amount of information and knowledge of sociology, economics and politics of his/her times. Without achieving this level of intellectual development our dream to lead the world will never come true, he stated.
Thirdly, the basic framework of Islamic social and political theory is and will remain the same, but its interpretations to deal with the issues and challenges of modernity may differ with what a scholar, an inhabitant of a traditional Arab society, four or five hundred years back would have thought and stated. For this purpose, as Dr. Raghib argued, we have the tool of Ijtihad.
Fourthly, a dominating culture takes over the rest of the world as history confirms us. As long as Muslims were the rulers they dominated the world but now we are at the opposite corner -- weaker one. Within the same framework he continued by stating that Islam has no specific dress, rather it has certain directions for the dress of a man and woman. And within the scope of those directions any sort of dress is acceptable—and should be accepted.
On existing political issues and challenges Dr, Raghib’s stance was, seemingly, strong and a bit unconventional. He expressed his views more openly, firmly and argumentatively than any other religious leader I have ever met. He categorically held responsible the state of Pakistan for not shaping a powerful counter narrative to combat terrorism and extremism. We can, he believes, change people’s extremist mindset by changing their attitudes and behaviors through education. Also, he believed in modern concept of democracy and agreed with me that now in this age we have to compete with modern philosophy and scientific developments. Therefore, a ‘Mujtahid’ of this age is supposed to be a scholar who quite reasonably understands modern economic system, complexities of global politics, cultural pluralism, and scientific and technological advancement apart from the in-depth knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah.
To conclude, the intention behind this interview was very simple: I wanted to highlight a very important debate of our age that is Islam vs. Modernity. In this age of Facebook and Twitter, our state, religious leadership and social scientists must play their part in bringing true face of Islam before the world. This is a challenge for us all. And now it’s up to us whether we accept this challenge to become a part of this modern world or simply keep on dreaming.
I am happy to share that people like Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi are playing their due part in making our society capable of competing with the challenges of modernity. May Allah bless him!