Cultivating Sincerity and Responsibility in Dars-e-Nizami Education: A Guide to Spiritual Growth and Community Service

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 04 November 2024 Setting Clear Goals for Dars-e-Nizami Education Main Points 1. Sincerity of Intention: Emphasizes the importance of students entering Dars-e-Nizami with a sincere intention to seek knowledge for the sake of Allah, free from worldly ambitions like fame or material gain. 2. Recognition of Allah: Discusses the significance of recognizing Allah’s oneness through the signs in creation, which deepens faith and enhances the understanding that everything operates under His command. 3. Shifting Priorities: Highlights how a deeper recognition of Allah leads to a focus on seeking His pleasure, shifting priorities from material concerns to living a life of righteousness and piety. 4. Rights of Allah and People: Explains the intertwined nature of fulfilling the rights of Allah (Huquq Allah) and the rights of people (Huquq al-Ibad), emphasizing that serving others is an essential aspect of worship. 5. Holistic Devotion: Advocates for a balanced approach to devotion that encompasses both personal acts of worship and ethical behavior in social interactions, leading to a just and compassionate society. … Before enrolling in a madrasa for Dars-e-Nizami education, it is essential for students to set clear goals, as these form the foundation for their entire learning experience. The primary objective should be to embark on this academic journey with sincerity of intention, free from worldly ambitions such as fame, status, or material gain. Instead, students should focus purely on acquiring knowledge for the sake of Allah. It is crucial to remember that religious education is not merely an intellectual pursuit; it is a means of personal and spiritual development. The true essence of this journey lies in deepening one’s recognition of Allah, developing a closer relationship with Him, and seeking His pleasure by understanding His commands. Moreover, students should approach their studies with humility, recognizing that religious knowledge carries a responsibility to serve the community and benefit others. It should never be used for personal gain or to assert superiority over others. This sincere approach will keep them grounded and focused, enabling them to truly benefit from the rich knowledge that Dars-e-Nizami offers. Recognizing Allah's Oneness Through the recognition of Allah, we come to understand that the Creator of the world is the One and only God, whose existence is eternal and all-encompassing. His presence is manifest in the countless signs He has placed throughout the universe. Every element in creation testifies to His oneness, power, and wisdom. For instance, the existence of trees, stones, the barren earth that comes to life after rainfall, and the predictable cycle of day and night are not random occurrences but clear demonstrations of Allah's meticulous design. The growth of crops, fruits, and flowers in different seasons, the balance of rainfall that sustains life, and the movements of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars reflect divine order and harmony. Even more wondrous are the stages of human development—from conception in the mother’s womb to birth and growth, with each phase highlighting the miraculous nature of Allah’s creation. These signs scattered throughout the universe remind us of Allah’s eternal presence, deepening our faith and understanding that everything, no matter how small or grand, operates under His command. Shifting Priorities and Seeking Allah's Pleasure As a person advances in recognizing Allah and strengthens their faith, their life’s ultimate purpose becomes centered on seeking Allah’s pleasure. Worldly concerns take a backseat as they focus on aligning their thoughts, actions, and intentions with what pleases their Creator. Every decision is made with the awareness that life is temporary and that true success lies in earning Allah’s approval. The pursuit of material wealth, status, or recognition fades as the heart becomes firmly anchored in the desire to live a life of righteousness and piety. Such a person’s devotion grows stronger as they strive to fulfill Allah’s commands and avoid actions that might lead to His displeasure. They seek to cultivate virtues like patience, humility, gratitude, and compassion, knowing these traits bring them closer to Allah. Acts of worship, whether through prayer, charity, fasting, or kindness to others, become genuine expressions of love and submission to Allah. Their ultimate wish is that when they leave this world, they do so in a state where Allah is pleased with them. The thought of returning to their Creator with a heart free from worldly distractions and filled with faith gives them peace and contentment, motivating them to continuously purify their actions and intentions in preparation for the eternal life to come. Fulfilling the Rights of Allah and People Attaining Allah’s pleasure requires fulfilling two primary duties: the rights of Allah (Huquq Allah) and the rights of people (Huquq al-Ibad). These responsibilities are deeply intertwined, even though they may appear distinct. The rights of Allah include acts of worship like prayer, fasting, remembrance, and gratitude, while the rights of people encompass how we treat others, show kindness, uphold justice, and act with integrity. In reality, fulfilling the rights of people is part of fulfilling the rights of Allah because He has commanded us to honor and respect one another, protect the dignity of every individual, and act with mercy and compassion. By being honest in dealings, helping those in need, supporting family, or being kind to neighbors, we fulfill a divine obligation. Thus, honoring Huquq al-Ibad is also an act of worship, as it aligns with Allah’s will and contributes to the balance and harmony of society. Recognizing this connection leads to a realization that devotion to Allah extends beyond personal acts of worship to include behavior in all social and interpersonal dealings. True devotion requires a holistic approach, balancing religious duties with ethical responsibilities toward others. The Rights of Allah The rights of Allah begin with the belief that He is the only deity worthy of worship, with no partners or equals. This belief forms the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and includes recognizing His absolute oneness and sovereignty. Belief in all His messengers, culminating in the final Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), is also essential. The Prophet’s life and teachings provide a model for living in accordance with Allah's will. Allah’s rights further include belief in all His revealed scriptures, especially the Qur'an, which serves as the ultimate guide. Muslims must also have faith in the unseen, including the resurrection, the Day of Judgment, and accountability for one’s deeds. Fulfilling Allah’s rights requires not only belief but also obedience to His commands, such as performing acts of worship like prayer, fasting, and charity, while following the Prophet’s Sunnah. These acts demonstrate a commitment to living according to divine guidance. Fulfilling Human Rights In addition to religious obligations, Muslims must uphold human rights, showing kindness, respect, and care toward parents, teachers, children, orphans, the elderly, and the poor. Muslims are required to protect the vulnerable and ensure the rights of others are not violated, contributing to the welfare of society. Conclusion True servitude to Allah is achieved when both the rights of Allah and the rights of people are fulfilled. One cannot claim sincerity in serving Allah while neglecting either responsibility. Religious education, therefore, should be pursued with the intention of understanding and applying these rights in daily life. Once gained, this knowledge should be shared with others, spreading awareness of the importance of fulfilling both the rights of Allah and the rights of people to create a just and compassionate society that reflects the values of Islam. … A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a Classical Islamic scholar with a rich Sufi Madrasa background and expertise in English-Arabic-Urdu translation. Throughout his career, he has emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of Islamic scholarship, consistently contributing valuable insights and analysis on a wide range of crucial topics. Through his regular writings, he has delved into multifaceted subjects, including but not limited to deradicalisation strategies, the promotion of moderation within Islamic teachings, counter-terrorism efforts, and the vital mission of combating Islamophobia. Moreover, he extensively addresses the urgent need to challenge radical ideologies through well-reasoned arguments and scholarly discourse. Beyond these critical issues, his work also encompasses in-depth discussions on human rights principles, the significance of safeguarding religious rights, and the profound exploration of Islamic mysticism. --------------- URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/dars-e-nizami-education-community-service-responsibility/d/133615 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism