Islam is a complete way of life — an accepted reality across the world today, which is why people’s curiosity about Islam keeps growing. Many non-Muslim scholars and scientists are honoured to embrace Islam, sharing their valuable reflections and experiences; drawn to Islam’s great ideals and teaching, they take shelter in its cool shade. Yet we ourselves are drifting away from Islam and the Quran and Sunnah, at times following Islam only partially — something never desirable. Allah says in the Holy Quran: “O you who believe! Enter into Islam completely, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 208)
The once-rich, glorious history and contributions of Muslims were destroyed, and a blow was struck at our education system. As a result of an education void of ideals and morality, various inconsistencies and errors have spread across society, and many mistaken statements are spread even in the name of Islam. By destroying our education system built on Islamic ideals and morality, we ourselves were weakened; the British destroyed that education system, as history proves. So ensuring sound education imbued with Islam and morality was an urgent step in building an ideal nation. For a long time no timely initiative was taken on this, and no one adopted such a landmark step. Such an initiative is an important and noble responsibility. It is hoped that the “Army International Islamic Institute” will be able to carry out this weighty duty, God willing; we wish the institution ever-greater success.
At the inauguration of the Army International Islamic Institute (AIII) on 3 August, army chief Waker-uz-Zaman said: “In today’s modern education system, Islamic education is not given enough importance. And in the Islamic education system, the presence of modern education is not adequate. As a result, many students raised on Islamic education cannot play an effective role in society.”
As chief guest, he also said: “The aim of establishing the Army International Institute is to build an education system combining Islamic values and modern education that will, in future, help form a moral, skilled and disciplined nation.”
He also said: “In the worship we do, it appears that we do not understand the Quran. We do not know what Allah has commanded, and where. We follow bid’ah [innovations invented in the name of Islam], and the country is awash with bid’ah — bid’ah in supplication, bid’ah in prayer, bid’ah everywhere. We must come out of this. We want to build a healthy, Islamic society.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave us important advice on this. Imam Malik related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I am leaving among you two things. As long as you hold to them, you will not go astray — the Book of Allah, the Quran, and the Sunnah of His Prophet, the Hadith.” (Muwatta Malik: 1602)
A companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Irbaz, said: One day the Prophet (peace be upon him) led us in prayer, then turned to us and gave a stirring speech that brought tears to our eyes and melted our hearts. A man said: O Messenger of Allah! This is like a farewell speech. So what do you instruct us? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I advise you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey, even if the one [in authority] be an Abyssinian slave. For those of you who live after me will soon see much disagreement. Then you must follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs; hold to it, biting on it with your teeth. Beware of newly invented matters [bid’ah], for every innovation is bid’ah, and every bid’ah is misguidance.” (Abu Dawud: 4607)
These narrations clearly tell us to refrain from new matters in the name of Islam, and give special advice to hold firmly to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and of the rightly guided companions. So it is fitting that we strive to attain Allah’s pleasure through Sunnah-based deeds and worship free of bid’ah. We welcome this noble role in building a Sunnah-based, ideal nation.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report