Role of Modern Education

Modern academic institutions have deconditioned the mindset of students, enabling them to think with open minds by discarding their prejudices, and seeing things as they are.

The coming into existence of a group of Companions of the Prophet in the seventh century was no simple event. Only after a long historical process, with divine support, were the Ishmaelites produced by the rough training peculiar to desert conditions. What set this race apart was that it was free from the conditioning of any unnatural environment. As such, they possessed the unique capacity to accept the truth. This ability has been described in the Quran in symbolic language: “The (luminous) oil is as if ready to burn without even the fire touching it.” (24:35)

In the twentieth century, this de-conditioning process occurred for another reason. It stemmed from a secular civilization that promoted secular education and secular thought. But unfortunately, certain leaders have a very negative perception of secular educational institutions, calling them slaughterhouses.

Their thinking on modern secular civilization is similar. But it would be more appropriate to say that they are institutions that promote de-conditioning. What these current academic institutions have done is radically alter the mindset of the students, thus enabling them to discard their prejudices, think with open minds, and see things as they are. This task of de-conditioning has been performed by modern secular civilization. It is a supportive factor that has emerged due to a special divine plan.

Those who have received their education in modern secular institutions are the “Ishmaelites” of the present times. Thanks to their training, these people are unbiased and capable of understanding the truth if offered to them in purity. Therefore, they can think about it without prejudice and accept it. Thus, this generation is capable of playing the role of the Brothers of the Prophet.