the Lectures of Nokounam, , Session (1875)
In the pursuit of truth and religious knowledge, the educational system of the seminaries holds a distinguished position. This system, rooted in ancient divine traditions, not only endeavours to cultivate devout scholars of religion but also aims to breathe the spirit of spirituality and piety into the souls of the seminary students. The centrality of the teacher in this system acts as a beacon that illuminates the path amid the darkness of ignorance, while the book, despite its value, is merely an instrument which, in the hands of the teacher, animates the spiritual life of the student. This treatise, through reflection on the radiant verses of the Holy Quran, examines two foundational principles in the seminary system: teacher-centrism as the main pillar of religious education and the necessity of avoiding spiritual constriction in the path of seminary study. These principles, like two wings, guide the student towards the heights of knowledge and righteous action.
The educational system of the seminaries, if founded on the axis of teacher-centrism, can lead the students to the sublime ranks of knowledge and ijtihd (independent reasoning). This section, inspired by the verses of the Holy Quran, elucidates the position of the teacher vis--vis the book and the unparalleled role of the teacher in nurturing the students.
Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted to God judged thereby for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that which they were entrusted of the Book of God, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by that which God has revealed then they are the disbelievers.
And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives [up his right as] charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what God has revealed then they are the wrongdoers.
And We sent, following their footsteps, Jesus the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him of the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.
These verses delicately portray the teacher as the axis of education. Although the Torah and the Gospel are divine books brimming with guidance, it is the prophets and the devoted scholars who, by the divine breath within them, transform these books into spiritual life. The Quran, in referring to Jesus, peace be upon him, emphasises his role as the confirmer of the Torah rather than the mere book itself. This highlights the superiority of the teacher over the book in the educational system. The teacher is akin to a gardener who nurtures the sapling of knowledge in the students soul, and the book is merely the soil which flourishes under his care.
Key Point: The educational system of the seminaries must be teacher-centric rather than book-centric. A skilled and complete teacher can guide a student to the summits of knowledge even with simple texts, while without a teacher, even lofty scientific works fail to leave a lasting impact.
The teacher is not merely a transmitter of knowledge but the architect of the students character and soul. A student under the guidance of a devoted teacher grows like a child nurtured in the loving lap of a mother. This student is shielded from spiritual and emotional voids and progresses towards perfection with profound tranquillity. However, a system that is book-centred and marginalises the teacher raises students like orphans who, despite having resources, lack the affection and guidance of parents. Such a system steers students toward passivity and weakness, diminishing their active and dynamic role.
The current religious academic system, which sometimes improperly imitates university models, with excessive emphasis on written examinations and rote memorisation, has distanced itself from the spirit of seminary study. A student engaged merely in memorising material for exams is deprived of critical thinking and ijtihd. Conversely, a student under the mentorship of a skilled teacher, even through studying simple texts or performing practical duties, attains far higher levels of knowledge.
One of the fundamental principles in the seminary system is prioritising quality over quantity. A student who practises selectivity based on quality in choosing sciences, teachers, and even lifestyle will achieve remarkable success. Historical exemplars such as Allamah Hilli, Muhaqqiq Karaki, and Shaykh Tusi attest to this claim. These devoted scholars, by concentrating on quality and benefiting from distinguished teachers, attained the highest ranks of ijtihd in a short time. Conversely, a system that encourages students to study broadly but without depth only leads to the wastage of time and energy.
Key Point: The student must prioritise quality over quantity in all aspects of lifefrom learning and research to teaching. Such selectivity is the key to success in the path of seminary study.
The teacher-centric system, like a steadfast pillar, constitutes the foundation of religious training in the seminaries. The teacher not only transmits knowledge but also guides the students soul towards knowledge and piety. The Quranic verses, emphasising the role of prophets and devoted scholars vis--vis divine scriptures, beautifully illustrate this reality. The seminaries must review their educational system and adopt teacher-centrism as a fundamental principle while avoiding the improper imitation of book-centred university models.
Following the reflections of the previous section, this part addresses another fundamental principle of seminary study: the necessity of avoiding spiritual constriction and hardship in the path of acquiring knowledge and propagating religion. This principle, inspired by a luminous verse from the Holy Quran, emphasises the importance of the students mental and spiritual health.
A Book revealed to you, so let there be no distress in your heart because of it, so that you may warn thereby and be a reminder to the believers.
This verse explicitly stresses the necessity of avoiding spiritual constriction when confronting the divine Book. Although the Book is replete with guidance, it can, by itself, be heavy and difficult for the student. This heaviness is only alleviated through spiritual health and mental ease. A student whose heart is free from hardship and constriction can effectively fulfil their role as a warner and a reminder. However, a heart burdened with fatigue and pressure remains ineffective in influencing others.
Key Point: Successful seminary study requires a heart free from spiritual constriction. A student who pursues knowledge and propagates religion with mental well-being and tranquillity can play an impactful role in society.
The path of seminary study, especially under current circumstances, is fraught with many difficulties. Financial constraints, social pressures, and an inefficient educational system often push students toward spiritual and psychological deficiencies. If left unaddressed, these challenges may prevent the student from progressing towards growth and perfection. The seminaries must identify these issues and provide appropriate solutions to create conditions conducive to training healthy and balanced students.
A student struggling with psychological problems cannot fulfil the role of a devoted scholar. Such a scholar, akin to a physician, is not only healthy themselves but also guides others towards health and perfection. To reach this rank, the student must undergo psychological and spiritual evaluation upon entry to the seminary and, if necessary, receive treatment to return to a normal and balanced state.
One of the essential conditions for admitting students to the seminaries is possessing physical and psychological health. A capable and active mind, reflecting good physical health and bodily fitness, indicates a students high capacity for analysis and critical thinking. Just as the divine prophets were free from congenital physical defects, official seminary students must enjoy full health to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of seminary study.
The admission system should become a precise and scientific selection process. Only those individuals who are familiar with the objectives of seminary study and possess compatible talents and interests should enter this path. Such selectivity not only leads to the training of competent scholars but also prevents the wastage of the seminarys resources and capacities.
Key Point: Seminary admission must be based on strict scientific and psychological criteria. A student who enjoys physical and mental health can develop into a devoted and influential scholar.
The devoted scholar, with a pure heart and balanced soul, can play an unparalleled role in religious propagation. Such a scholar does not require theatrical methods or imitation of media techniques. Their speech, like a sharp sword, penetrates hearts and even guides the non-believers towards faith. An example of such a scholar is Haj Sheikh Abbas Qomi, who, through simplicity and purity of heart, deeply influenced his audience. By cautiously transmitting narrations and adhering to the texts, he demonstrated that the devoted scholar needs no ostentation.
Conversely, scholars who resort to theatrical methods not only lack the necessary impact but may also cause people to distance themselves from religion. The seminaries must avoid this malady by training devoted scholars and entrusting religious propagation to those who convey the truth with simplicity and dignity.
Key Point: The devoted scholar, through simple yet profound speech, can captivate hearts and requires no theatrical tactics. Seminaries should entrust religious propagation to such scholars.
Juristic seminary study, free from spiritual and psychological constriction, is a fundamental pillar in the training of devout scholars. The Quranic verses, emphasising the avoidance of hardship and the role of the scholar as a warner, underscore the importance of the students mental and physical health. The seminaries must reform the admission and educational systems to prepare devoted scholars who, with pure hearts and balanced souls, propagate religion in society.
The seminary system, like a tree rooted in the radiant verses of the Holy Quran, spreads its branches in the sky of knowledge and piety. Teacher-centrism, as the root of this tree, secures the scientific and spiritual life of the student, while avoiding spiritual constriction acts like branches that bear the fruits of guidance and warning. To realise this ideal, the seminaries must distance themselves from book-centric and memorisation-centric systems and dedicate themselves to the training of devoted scholars who, with physical and psychological health, can play an influential role in society. This path not only guides students towards ijtihd and perfection but also enriches society with the light of knowledge and piety.
Supervised by Sadeq Khademi
