What Is the Communal Importance of the Islamic Sciences?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
What is the communal importance of the Islamic sciences?
Answer
I pray you are well.
The Islamic Sciences as a Communal Obligation
The sciences of Islam are a communal obligation. This means that in every community, there must be at least one person who has studied and mastered the Islamic sciences to a level of competence that enables them to fulfill the community’s needs.
Someone must know fiqh. Someone must know ‘aqida. In reality, communities often require multiple scholars, as a single person is rarely sufficient to meet all the needs of a city or town.
Scholars often have many responsibilities. They teach, answer questions, and deal with various issues within the community. At times, they may also be overwhelmed by the number of people seeking guidance. For this reason, it is not sufficient for a large community to rely on only a few scholars.
The Lifeblood of the Umma
The presence of scholars and students of knowledge is the lifeblood of the Muslim Umma. Without them, people become distant from their religion.
When knowledge is absent, many problems arise. People may begin neglecting fundamental acts of worship. Some parents may even prevent their children from fasting. In more severe cases, people grow up without seeing the importance of religion in their lives.
This can lead to the belief that religion is unnecessary or outdated. They may pride themselves on their academic or professional achievements while believing that they have no need for religion.
However, when difficulties and trials arise in life, people often realize their need for guidance and their need for Allah Most High.
Protecting People from Doubts
The presence of scholars is also essential to protect people from doubts and misunderstandings about Islam.
A person may be intelligent and well educated, yet still become confused when encountering misleading information. Without proper guidance, someone may encounter distorted or hostile portrayals of Islam and begin to develop doubts.
When people learn the religion from qualified scholars and receive proper context for historical events and religious teachings, many of these doubts are clarified.
The Need for Context and Proper Teaching
The Islamic tradition contains a vast wealth of knowledge preserved by generations of scholars. This knowledge must be taught and transmitted.
Among the important works of the tradition is Ihya Ulum al-Din by Imam Ghazali. Some scholars have said that if the books of Islam were lost, the essence and spirit of the religion could still be understood through this work.
This illustrates the depth and richness of the scholarly heritage that Muslims have inherited. Such knowledge must be studied and taught so that people can understand their religion properly.
Guidance in Times of Trial
People inevitably face trials, hardships, and questions about life. Without a proper understanding of the Quran, the Sunna, and the teachings of Islam, many people become confused when faced with these difficulties.
Islam provides a clear and coherent explanation of trials and tribulations. The life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is itself a powerful example of patience and acceptance of Allah’s decree.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) experienced many personal losses during his lifetime, yet he remained completely pleased with Allah.
He taught the believers to say:
“I am completely pleased with Allah as my Lord, and with Islam as my religion, and with Sayyidina Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) as my Prophet.”
Inspiring Future Scholars
One of the challenges facing the Muslim community today is the lack of encouragement for young people to pursue the path of sacred knowledge.
Communities must inspire children and young people to become scholars and students of knowledge. At the same time, this pursuit must be for the sake of Allah, not for fame or recognition.
The pursuit of Islamic knowledge is a noble responsibility that the Muslim Umma must take seriously.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began studying Arabic Grammar and Morphology whilst studying for a degree in English and History. After graduating, He traveled to Damascus and studied Arabic, Hanafi Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, and Logic with Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahman Arjan al-Binsawi, Shaykh Husayn Darwish, Shaykh Muhammad Darwish, the late Shaykh Rashad Shams, and others. He then moved to Amman to continue his studies in those fields, as well as in Tafsir, Quranic Sciences, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Prophetic Biography, Prophetic Perfections and Traits, Rhetoric, Arabic Literature, and Tajwid. His teachers include Shaykh Ali Hani, Dr. Hamza al-Bakri, Dr. Salah Abu al-Hajj, Dr. Mansur Abu Zina, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Shaykh Ahmad Jammal, and others.
