Every community needs scholars in every field, but that doesn’t mean everyone should aspire to be one.
Our deen is often taught as a theoretical construct, which demands we spend a lifetime learning.
But really it is a practical entity, which requires action. It is meant to be brought to life in our lives.
The basics of what it means to be a Muslim can be learned relatively quickly. However it often seems to be suggested that we must spend a lifetime studying, so that one day we may qualify as a true believer.
Study is indeed important, but not without practice. This is evident in the tests that are thrown at us the moment we take up the path. How will we actually live our lives?
It’s all well and good listening to lectures and khutbahs about patience, but it is only in those day to day interactions with children or elderly parents that we will discover how much our faith is real.
It is easy to write a book, a blog or a sermon, but it is in the world that our ideals are tested. It is easy to speak of mercy; much harder to practice. Easy to speak of truthfulness, but not so easy to be honest.
In every moment we are tested, but we mostly fail spectacularly. Daily our anger and rage, jealousy and envy, ego and pride are on full display for all to see.
It’s easy to be theoretically Muslim, much harder to actually be one.
Last modified: 23 August 2023
I’ve always felt that an important part missing from the dialogue on becoming a scholar is acknowledging that part of becoming a scholar, not unlike other professions, is that it’s largely reliant upon personal traits as much as it is upon raw intellectual horsepower.