A Reflective Concern…

There is a widespread confusion amongst Muslims. Our conceit (thinking our knowledge of Islam is adequate) causes us to disregard profound works of traditional Islamic scholars and this lead to levelling as though we are at par with them. This inevitably leads to mediocrity in what we, the current Muslims can produce, since seldom do we try to adequately study their works. Whereas to produce quality Islamic scholars is a strategic need for the community, yet it is left for individual to take the initiative.

Our community seems hesitant to invest in future ulama' by sending them to study Islam in an inter-disciplinary manner in excellent Islamic institution of higher learning. In the absence of community support in this endeavour, some who pursue further studies in Islam tends to choose easy and less demanding institutions and when this becomes a common attitude in academia, the quality of future scholars will definitely be affected. When no attempt is made to review and reconsider our understanding of Islam itself by first learning thoroughly from earlier sources (i.e. works of our past authoritative traditional Islamic scholars), respectfully, it will actually compound a dangerous and pervasive malady - 'confusion in knowledge.'

Orientalists and those who attempts to offer a novel interpretation of Islam would mistakenly but eagerly acknowledged as learned and regarded as resource by some Muslims! This typifies ignorance in our community. What is worse is that because of the mistaken feeling of being enlightened, especially when  Muslims like to quote from these Western sources and yet are completely oblivious to islamic sources (i.e.. the traditional Islamic scholars' views ), it becomes compound ignorance, whereby any attempt to correct whatever misconception arising from such learning is vehemently opposed by them and conveniently labeled as 'antiquated' in our thoughts.

Muslims thus become easy prey to unnecessary dilemma, when these works (Orientalists writings, ideas and re-interpretations) highlight differences amongst Muslims and raising issues between 'progressive' versus 'orthodox' and suggesting labels of 'moderate' and 'extreme' islam /Muslims. In their pursuit of knowledge, this development may lead to a rise in false leadership amongst the new generation of Musims, especially those who will be looked up as Islamic scholars and intellectuals. It becomes a norm nowadays for those hoping to attain academic titles, to be tutored by Orientalist professors and scholars, who insist their students must prove themselves capable of demolishing works of classical and authoritative Islamic scholars. Even if these students may be required to read classical Islamic sources; it is done with a skeptical bias. This culture leads to subtle usurpation of the traditional scholars' position through false redefinition and perpetuation of skepticism of the works of great classical Islamic scholars. Instead of giving us further illumination to ideas, some of these mediocre so-called newfound theses regarding Islam seem only capable of adding doubts and confusion. Whereas they are not even any where in the same league as these great Islamic scholars in terms of , not only erudition, profundity and scholarship, but also in piety, religious evotion and sincere commitment to Islamic ideals. Yet they dare to display such arrogance by levelling the scholars down to their level or pretentiously elevating themselves to the ranks of these celebrated scholars!