Islam is growing rapidly, and many people don’t speak Arabic, Farsi, and Urdu. This underlines the need for Speakers and Lecturers that speak a “Universal” Language: English. Having English speakers will also help the “Born Muslims” also. It seems like a no brainer right? Well, then will someone please explain the clear lack of English speakers?
It would be an injustice to not acknowledge that we do have a few Scholars and Speakers who are fluent in English, but even so, that is not sufficient for several reasons. The demand is far greater than the supply; in order for Muslims to continue to grow, the number of Educated Individuals in this regard must keep up with the pace of the growth; the consequences of failing to do so may and has pushed individuals away from the religion of Islam.
Another question to be asked, who exactly should be able to give lectures. Obviously I speak English and you the reader do also, but does that give us the privilege to go and preach about our faith with very little knowledge about it? This has become a very prominent issue within our community. What qualifications do the current speakers have? Has He/She received any Formal Education about Islam? One of the most pressing matters we must counter is who can preach. Some speakers are getting thousands upon thousands for a 75 minute lecture, which is another topic to be debated, the point is that these Speakers are well known and have gained respect to a degree from the Muslim Community. Has anyone stopped and wondered if this Scholar who has gained the status of a “God” among many has any right to be giving lectures. One of the most dangerous prospects is having someone spread false or unfounded attributes to Islam. This should prompt our community to set a standard as to who has gained enough knowledge to be able to speak, otherwise, any average Joe can sit in front of the microphone and talk, and sadly it happens often these days. That doesn’t mean we should only have people who people who gained the title of AyatAllah speaker, because we’d have even less speakers than we do now. A standard must be set and enforced, the Islamic Centers need to stop getting a speaker whose only worth is his famous name, and look for quality speakers.
In order for the above to happen, there needs to be more variety among the speakers, which means having more English Speakers. Of course they don’t just magically appear. There needs to be encouragement toward Muslims to pursue Islamic Education, especially among the younger Muslims. That doesn’t necessarily imply going to the Hawza for 30 years, that’s a long time to wait for an English Speaker wouldn’t you agree? A great alternative is to incorporate Islamic Education along with whatever field of study a person is pursuing; most speakers don’t live off what they make from lectures anyway. No matter what your occupation is, gaining enough knowledge to give lectures and preach about Islam doesn’t that far-fetched. Unless you have a really famous name, in that case you are set for life just off lecturing. Another idealistic hope is that some of our very knowledgeable speakers will take up the English language, that way people can benefit from them twice as much. Although this requires some dedication and ambition, it seems like a reasonable step, especially if the person is aware of the urgent need for Lecturers fluent in the English Language.
Another worrying matter is the fact Shias are behind when it comes to English speaking Scholars looking at the progress others have made in this regard makes Muslims as a collective group look pretty bad. While some will argue that it’s not a race to convert people – and I agree with this, we can’t turn a blind eye to the fact that sometimes language is the deciding factor if someone becomes Muslim at all. Not surprising is the immense success other sects have had in spreading Islam, their elites have for a very long time realized the significance of English in propagation of Islam. Many from the younger generation of Muslims have responded very well to English Speakers and the language of the speaker continues to be a huge factor in deciding if people go to the lecture or stay home. Being able to relate to a Speaker/Lecturer is vital, and having charismatic people at the podium will only help strengthen the faith of Muslims and attract Non-Muslims to the Faith.
It is counter productive when people refuse to adapt to the needs of the society they live in, as part of a healthy Multi-Cultural Community, it is required that Muslims strive to cater to the unique social fabric of our society. This includes providing Lectures and events in languages that are representative of the members of our faith. If Islam is to have a continuing presence in the West, then Muslims need to lose the “Back Home” mentality and wake up to the needs of the faith’s members. That isn’t insinuating that everyone should leave their language and turn to English only, but there is a pretty good chance that English Speakers and events are a basic requisite for the continuation of Islam. As Shias, we must strive to set up a platform for the return of Imam Al Mahdi, and that certainly doesn’t happen by standing on the side and complaining about why there is so little material available in English about our Imam, and why once in a blue moon we actually find a lecture about the Imam in English. The initiative needs to be taken and an effort needs to be put forth, or we must question, what type of platform we are setting up.
Comments (13)
1. Written by Sarina on 08-02-2008 23:10
salaam. There isn't a lack of English scholars! You just have to find them! Let me know if you need help InshaAllah I will try.
2. Written by Heba on 09-02-2008 15:48
There are only a few english scholars... nice article
3. Written by Sadiq M on 09-02-2008 19:34
RE: Sarina
There IS a lack of english speaking scholars, there is NOT a lack of english speaking lecturers.
Theres a big difference between lecturers and scholars.
We Shia have a wealth of lecturers who speak english such as Hassanain Rajabali, Ammar Nakshawani, Hojjatel-Islam Bahmanpour, Usama al-Attar, Jihad Ismail...etc
Question: How many of them are Scholars?
Great article.
4. Written by Abdullah Afghani on 10-02-2008 14:54
All I can say is WOW in astonishment.
The author asks a really good question in the beginning of the third paragraph:Another question to be asked, who exactly should be able to give lectures. Which, by the way, should end with a question mark. But that's besides the point. Because based on what he or she has written in the middle of the same paragraph "Has anyone stopped and wondered if this Scholar who has gained the status of a “God” among many has any right to be giving lectures." We must also ask the question, who exactly should be able to write articles?
I want to know which scholar or speaker for that matter has gained this status and in which community? It is very easy to throw around words but do we think about what it is that we are saying. This is a very bold claim and cannot be taken lightly, even if we want to push our point across with it. After all, this a site dedicated to the Ahlul Bayt. We should ask ourselves will Imam Sadiq (AS) be pleased with such a statement? Would he ever make such a statement?
The fact of the matter is that if a person is not a mujtahid...then he/she cannot be a truly affective speaker/writer. And it is clear that taking a few courses next to our science or business classes in the university will not make us mujtahids. Before stating solutions to society's problems, we should consult with the mujtahideen and maraaji' and see what their views are. And we must definitely refrain from stating our own opinions.
At this point, some may ask, all speakers and writers are not mujthids, so what must they do? Of course, in addition to continuing their studies, they must only state what the Holy Qur'an and ma'soomeen (AS) say. And if there is need for further explanation, they must refer to the scholars...those who have studied tens of years in the howza, not those who go to the howza for a few years and learn some Farsi and Arabic and how to tie an amaama, then come back and are falsely recognized as scholars. They are students! Nor does it mean those who get a degree from Western universities in Islamic studies...many of whose professors are not even Muslims.
What a wonderful place would the world be if only that those who should not and must not speak kept quiet! Unfortunately in our time it seems that anyone and everyone with an opinion thinks that his/her view is the right view and is willing to shout it out to the entire world. They say that one of the mystical reasons for why there are 32 teeth and two lips in front of the tongue is to keep it tightly sealed. But how wretched is the son of Adam that he does not take heed of these warnings. Imam Ali (AS) has said, "The tongue of an intelligent person is behind his heart and the heart of a fool is on his tongue." When we put food in our mouths, we chew on it thoroughly so that we do not swallow anything harmful. Shouldn't we also chew on our thoughts thoroughly before they come out of our mouths so that we do not say anything harmful?
O Allah, please help us with your guidance!
5. Written by Zahra on 10-02-2008 16:41
Abdullah, it doesn't take a genius to write an OPINION piece. Are you putting a person like a Schlolar on the same level as a writer expressing their views?
6. Written by Sarah A. on 10-02-2008 18:18
Excellent piece Noor Ali is pure talent. keep it up :)
7. Written by Kadhim on 11-02-2008 00:34
Whilst the piece raises important issues, I think Brother Abdullah raises a valid point. There clearly is an issue with lack of English speaking Scholars, but that not get us into some sensational mode where we in turn use exaggerations to depict the situation.
Anyways, thanks for posting the article.
8. Written by Noor Ali on 11-02-2008 01:59
Thanks for the replies and criticisms. Brother Kadhim; there isn't anything sensational or exaggerated. I'm writing based on what I've seen and experienced when it comes to this issue. Maybe it seems far-fetched to some, while pretty understandable to others. It's all about perspective and we all have a different one. Which may I add is a wonderful thing.
This is far from a witch hunt to find the "Bad Scholars" or whatever people would like to call it. It's just presenting a problem and possible solutions. We're all adults here; no need to attack the writer :).
9. Written by Abbas on 11-02-2008 02:41
This article was a breath of fresh air. Eloquently said and u sis didnt name names or anything. Your other pieces were great but this one is hands down the best soo far.
keep it up there are many of us who enjoy your open-mindedness and strive for changing for the better.
plz keep it up and ignore those who are tring yo bring you down.
10. Written by Abdullah on 11-02-2008 15:51
lol...no personal attack agaisnt the writer. I'm sorry you felt as such...however it was a critism of certain parts of your article.
All written and spoken viewpoints are open to criticism...won't you agree...
I agree that we need better and more qualified speakers and writers...I agree with you that we are behind in many aspects of our religion and social affairs...
But I think that the statement about some people giving some scholars a God status...is troublesome. God's status is too high and lofty for us to understand what it is so that we can say that so and so is given a God status...Say, He, God is one. He is the one that those in need turn to. He has not begotten and He is not begotten. There is none like unto Him.
Imam Ali (as) states, "Praise is due to Allah whose worth cannot be described by speakers, whose bounties cannot be counted by calculators and whose claim (to obedience) cannot be satisfied by those who attempt to do so, whom the height of intellectual courage cannot appreciate, and the divings of understanding cannot reach; He for whose description no limit has been laid down, no eulogy exists, no time is ordained and no duration is fixed." After seeing what the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Imam have said, how can we God's status or God's this or that? We can only say about God what He Himself has taugh us about Himself. Won't you agree? (That's a third person you btw)
And brother Abbas, if you mean me by 'ignore those who are trying to bring you down' please let's not confuse criticism of "ideas" and "viewpoints" with criticism of individuals. God forbid that I try to bring anyone down including the writer. On the contrary, I pray for his/her success and the success of all those who love Ahlul Bayt.
11. Written by Ali on 11-02-2008 17:00
I agree with Abdullah, the speaker has exaggerated the "God" part, making it sound like a personnal criticisum at someone in specific... And wether right or wrong if the writer wants to critisis lecturer's behaviours then I think the writer should not be exaggerating.
12. Written by vinny on 31-07-2008 02:34
My dear brothers and sisters I agree with you all and there are some great points that you have brought up. However my consern and personal advice is that whatever we can share with each other and people of other religions is excatly following the word of ALLAh. If we all give something even a word or a sentence that shows how we muslims think and behave is giving something usefull. Anything can be helpfull like telling the non muslims how hygenic we are or how free of alcohol our houses are. After all each and everyone of us should be allowed to have his understanding of the holy Quran. Because that's why our religion differs from the other ones because we dont have a central church like the christians do that controls everything. it is imperative that every muslim reads and understands the quran in the best of their knowledge. if u are not sure about some things there are plenty of Quran's interpretations aviable that can help us understand better. however there is no insurance than any of us might have understood the quran properly. there fore everyone should be allowed to preach according to his understanding. i am sure that if all of us read a verse of the Quran without looking at the comentary we might disagree on some points. and how do we know which one us is right. after all everyone will answer for his deeds in the day of judgement. thank you all for sharing your thoughts and i hope that ALLAH will reward you.
13. Written by JNH on 08-09-2008 06:46
One of the solution to this situation is that those who speak English have to study religon and those who understand religon have to learn English Language. Any good speaker can speak about what he knows well.
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