This is a series of columns for the understanding of the history of centuries old Madrasah and Islamic Education System in South Asian perspective published in Muslims Weekly, New York, USA in a series of the weekly Column “Personal Notes in 2004.”...

By JAWED ANWAR This is a series of columns for the understanding of the history of centuries old Madrasah and Islamic Education System in South Asian perspective published in Muslims Weekly, New York, USA in a series of the weekly Column “Personal Notes in 2004.” ...

William Dalrymple COLONEL William Sleeman, famous for his suppression of the Thugs and a leading critic of the administration of the Indian courts, had to admit that the Madrasa education given in Delhi was something quite remarkable: "Perhaps there are few communities in the world among whom education is more generally diffused than among Muhammadans [Muslims] in India," he wrote on a visit to the Mughal capital....

JAWED ANWAR We, humankind, are the earthly viceroys of Allah. "And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth (Al Quran-2: 30)." So if the viceroy is not well educated and highly knowledgeable and does not possess wisdom, what will happen to our governance on earth? So, as mentioned in Al Qur'an, everyone should be knowledgeable and educated....

JAWED ANWAR IF you think about Greece, your first thoughts are of its highly reputable philosophers. However, during the hey-day of these great thinkers, they were regarded as anything but philosophers. These philosophers had not received any respect from their nation. ...

JAWED ANWAR The role of the teacher in the Islamic Education System is pivotal. First, Allah requires us to seek knowledge actively. Remained ignorant is closer to sin. Second, educating and sharing knowledge is Sunnah (tradition of the Prophet). "Narrated Abu Huraira R.A.: that the Messenger of Allah (ï·º) said: "Whoever is asked about some knowledge that he knows, then he conceals it, he will be bridled with a bridle of fire." Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2649...

JAWED ANWAR THE student is the central part of the Islamic education system. It is the students' responsibility to acquire compulsory education. As a vicegerent of Allah, human beings have to play a significant role on this earth to establish and maintain peace and justice, among other things. ...

JAWED ANWAR IN his last khutbah (speech), the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad ï·º, addressed "(Listen) Haven't I conveyed Allah's message to you?" We replied, "Yes," He said, "O Allah! Be witness (for it). So it is incumbent upon those who are present to convey it (this message of mine) to those who are absent because the informed one might comprehend what I have said better than the present audience who will convey it to him."...

JAWED ANWAR WHEN Muslims ruled India, their government never established a separate education department and never appointed salaried teachers. Already established was a tradition where the kings, rulers, and affluent citizens had to establish educational institutions. This system was facilitated with the intention of thawab (as a deed to receive rewards in the life hereafter). ...

JAWED ANWAR BEFORE the British occupation in South Asia, there were various types of Madrasahs readily available for students. There were the Arabic Madrasahs (specializing in deeni and religious education), Farsi Madrasahs (specializing in worldly education), and Mahajani Madrasahs (specializing in commerce)....

SYED JAWED ANWAR WESTERN secular education is directed at the gathering of information. In contrast, Islamic scholars and educators consider the main purpose of education to be the character building. Therefore, fashioning each child with good etiquette and polishing the character was the focus of the primary education....

SYED JAWED ANWAR “…Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge…” (Al-Qur'an 35: 28). “They will further say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the people of the Blaze” (67: 10). “…Say: ‘Lord, increase me in knowledge’” (20: 114). Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said, “The search for knowledge is a duty for every Muslim man and woman,” and, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.”...

SYED JAWED ANWAR DISEASE is of such concern among human beings that, from the beginning, Allah gave some prophets healing ability in the form of miracles so that the prophets would be recognized as legitimate, thereby validating their warnings of the hereafter. Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was given the capability to cure the blind and the leper (Al-Quran 5:110). Prophet Muhammad (saw) was given the knowledge of how to protect the body and to live a healthy life; and his wife Hazrath Aisha r.a, became a medical...

SYED JAWED ANWAR MUSLIMS had intellectual, moral, geographical, scientific, and industrial superiority and vast human and natural resources over the West before Muslim lands were occupied by Western powers. The West had no edge over the Muslim world other than that attributed to political and military conspiracy, lies, deception, and propaganda --all fueled by disinformation and misinformation. With no concept of selfish nationalism, Muslims allowed Western companies, businessmen, and professionals in ...

SYED JAWED ANWAR IN GENERAL, people think that English and Western Education started in India after the British occupation and after the educational movement of Muslim scholars (for example, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan) who cooperated the British occupiers. Historically, however, this notion is not accurate. Several British historians have noted that only few nations throughout history can match the educational tradition that Indian Muslims had. The scholars of Muslim India were always trying to learn every knowl...