Islam embraces all beneficial knowledge: Indian Islamic Scholar Nomani

Special Correspondent: Calling for an end to the artificial divide between religious and general education, Indian Islamic scholar Khalilur Rahman Sajjad Nomani on Thursday urged Muslim societies to embrace an integrated education system that combines faith-based knowledge with modern sciences.Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organised by the Dhaka University Qaumi Student Forum at the Asiatic Society Auditorium, Nomani said all beneficial knowledge is part of Islam and should not be separated into "general" and "religious" education.The seminar, co-hosted by the Integrated Muslim Education Society and Poya Main Sania Bangladesh, brought together academics and students from Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka Medical College, madrasas and other educational institutions.Nomani, who serves as Director of the Shah Waliullah Dehlawi Institute of Islamic Studies in India and is also editor of Al-Furqan, said the Qur'an begins with the command "Iqra" (Read), highlighting the centrality of knowledge in Islam."Knowledge acquired through the study of the natural world and scientific research is also knowledge in Islam," he said. "There is no basis for permanently dividing education into 'general' and 'religious'. The real distinction should be between beneficial and harmful knowledge."He argued that the separation of educational streams was largely a product of Western intellectual traditions and called on the Muslim world to overcome that divide by developing a holistic educational framework.Reflecting on Islamic civilisation, Nomani said Muslims during the golden age of Islam, particularly in Muslim-ruled Spain, excelled in science, culture and scholarship. He added that the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were not only religious figures but also statesmen, military strategists, engineers, economists, physicians, scholars and scientists who contributed to society in diverse fields.He encouraged young people to assume social responsibilities and to emulate the Prophet's spirit of forgiveness and inclusiveness in building a harmonious society.Earlier, seminar chair Professor Dr Mufti Muhammad Golam Rabbani stressed the need to bridge the gap between madrasa and university education. He urged educators from different academic backgrounds to replace mutual distrust with cooperation and respect, saying such unity would help build a stronger and more inclusive Bangladesh.During an interactive question-and-answer session, Nomani advised university students seeking Islamic knowledge to rely on authentic scholarly works. He recommended books by renowned scholars including Manzur Nomani, Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi and Sulaiman Nadvi.Responding to a question about protecting oneself from hidden sins in the digital age, Nomani underscored the importance of personal moral resolve."A person who intends to go to a mosque does not mistakenly end up in a cinema hall, nor does someone intending to visit a cinema accidentally reach a mosque. Our intentions determine our destination," he said.Drawing a comparison to self-restraint, he added, "People do not secretly consume poison despite temptation. If they can refrain from that, they can also avoid committing sins in private."Nomani also praised Bangladesh's religious atmosphere, saying he was deeply impressed by hearing the call to prayer echoing from different directions.Among those who addressed the seminar were Md Saifur Rahman, Maulana Habibur Rahman Munir Nadvi, Maulana Shahidul Islam Farooqi, Maulana Zainul Abedin, Nure Alam Nadvi, Maulana Kazi Wasif Amin and Maulana Rashedur Rahman.