Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Human affairs thrives on the horizon of dynamism and there is nothing static as far as human life is concerned. Statism is a great cause of retrogression and of course complete obliteration. Perfect glory be to Almighty Allah (SWT) and abundant blessings be upon the soul of the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW), his entire household, Companions and all deserving followers on the pedestal of righteousness till the last day.
The topic at hand is premised on the philosophical theme of a line of poetry which reads: ليس البلية في ايامنا عجبا # بل السلامة فيها اعجب العجب meaning: 'A great astonishing though may not be in life's demeanor; rather the to be spared thereof appears more wonderful.' A corollary of this line of poetry is encapsulated in the current trend of event unfolding from the circle of Arabic School pupils. A sharp departure from the earlier crew of Islamic stewards is occasioned and the glaring distasteful is becoming outright unpleasant. Right-thinking is tempted to ask 'where did we get it wrong and could there be manners of redress?'
To this end, looking inward is the first pot of call when something tends to be unproportional in human circle. A society thrives on the viability of its level of education just as any society whose human capital development is static snow-balls into muribond in development and obsolete societal value. This situation mirrors the state of affairs of the Arabic Education in Yoruba land on view of the fact that the surge of Western counterpart dealt more blow in obliterating Arabic Education on its arrival with too numerous to mention perperitorial ingredients. Such fringes were mostly non- existent in the former's case.
Before long, the initial approach of Arabic Education was rather individualistic. Tutor-pupil method often landed learner in obtaining loose license issued by the Tutor, having passed through several knowledge experience from his mentor. The second stage in the development of Arabic Education took the form of leaving comfort zone in search of knowledge through popular scholar. In admiration of the form of knowledge, learner usually got certificated with big Walimah (celebration) of marriage and or where the learner had got married before, it was the turn to take second wife. The third is the emergence of modernized form learning i.e knowledge obtained in classrooms with chalkboards and sitting on benches and desks. Most of the materials became derivatives of the mother-text materials of the old resulting from the dexterity of the frontline Scholar.
In this category, mention must be made of the contributions of Shaykhs Adam Abdullah Al-Iloriy, Kamaldin Al-Adabiy, Murtada Abdus Salaam (Lanase, Ibadan), Shamsu Su'ud, Al-Kharashi, Nahdat (Ibadan), Abdul Baqi (Iwo), Awelenje (Shaki), Jeje (Lagos), and many more scattered around Yoruba land such as Ikirun, Oyo, Iseyin, Okeho among others. Arabic Education in the category feature both individual and Jam'iyyat (Organizations) tutelage in arrangements of standardized Arabic Schools. Such were the respectful form of learning from which beneficiaries became frontline Scholars and respected in their various callings. To a large extent, among them were Saints of categories such as Aoliyau, Aqtaab and Abdaal in their steward.
Pious indeed they were and with prayer and contentment they used to move 'mountains' without caterpillars, melt iron without fire, and of course they rose to stardom without cutting corners in the matters of spiritual and profane. The influx of ritualism among young Arabic Scholars taking alarming rate appears a strange development! Several people who got missing on transit had neither been heard of nor declared dead. Carnibalism of the old fecundity had risen in a modern garb! How did we get here? Could there be solutions in sight for ritual killing among young Alfas all in quest for quick-rich syndrome?
These are parts of thousands of questions begging for answers. Whereas, what legacy is he going to leave behind, someone who despite inheriting admirable line of endeavour but choses to be prodigal and cultivating nothing in returns. This is the central message of the line of poetry which says: 'وخير الناس ذوسب قديم # يقيم لنفسه نسبا جديدا meaning: 'Should you desire best inheritor of a legacy; find one in the one craving to cultivate additional valour.'
The situation presents a sharp departure from the ways of Medieval Educationists and Administrative and great inventors. Who says 'This generation cannot champion inventions?' Or 'are we susceptible to a man's pessimistic view which says: 'We are Africans and we are created to consume'. Alas! the Glorious Qur'an places before us enormous challenge. Quran 16:8 reads: 'And donkeys, mules and camels were created for you to ride on them and fir adornment; (for real) Allah creates what you know not.' This Qur'an provision portends several things among which are means of communication and transportation which are more spectacular in the human circle. Our deductions from its meaning shows that if Prophet Muhammad were to be alive today he would ride more than Jet and use the best innovated telephone.
This metamorphosing situation is a model for most civilization indexes and parameters which education serves well. Previous edition on this forum placed on record that there appears no discrimination in sources of benefitting knowledge. The focus remains the comparative advantage such form of knowledge give humanity. A popular Hadith of the noble Messenger concerns well-meaning Muslims to be alive to taping resources irrespective of the source. 'Wisdom is but a lost treasure of a Muslim; he amass it anywhere he finds it' bears much on dynamic status of human knowledge.
A worship center in the heart land of Lagos is brought to bear for its focus on Skill Acquisition Centers organized in multiple. Infact, domesticating the sector and partitioning same for enabled families to impact meaningfully on members is rather commendable. Several families are given opportunities to equip sectionized units of the center in the memory of late parents. To the best of our understanding, however, it goes a long way in teaching how and where to 'catch fish' instead of continual pauperizing members and less privileged. More of this project can be replicated in Muslim worship centers across board. Islamic Organizations, CDA, CDC and other Corporate Bodies would do better in this aspect to enhance members economic status. The second part would delve more into other comparative narratives of better ways to empower the 'Alfas' and better ways to structurally put them on the pedestal of productivity rather than complete reliance solely on charity-based steward.
DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH, LAGOS STATE NIGERIA.©
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