Madāris Educational System: Identifying Loopholes and the Way Out

Abstract

Lately, the very role of Islamic institutions of higher learning known as Madrasās particularly in Pakistan has been in the debate at national as well as international levels. Some consider these seminaries as the citadels of Islam; and some view them as sources of hatred, extremism, activism, fanaticism, and terrorism. The argument advanced in favour of the role of Islamic centers of learning is that their end-products serve the society as muftis, sharīʻah court judges, religious teachers, Qadīs for the marriage ceremony, preachers, imāms of mosques, and mu’azzins for prayers. It is claimed that Pakistan without these Madrasās will lose its face as an Islamic nation, on the one hand, and Muslims will stand deprived of the services of the most needed personnel in the socio-religious arena, on the other. The motivation to work in Madāris is the thought pattern of the modern studies which enable us to have an insight into how critical and vulnerable is the education given at Madāris of Pakistan. Blame game against Islamic institutions is for sure to pour petrol on the fire, so the problem needs to be tackled wisely. This study is aimed at delving into the system of education involving both curricula and the methodology of teaching and learning in Madāris and suggesting ways to overcome the underlying problems. The findings of the study may prove a catalyst in making Madāris education boon and not bane for the beloved country.