of Nokounam , Session (1876)
Seminaries, akin to pristine springs, are entrusted with presenting religious knowledge to humanity and, by nurturing committed and enlightened scholars, assume the spiritual and scientific leadership of the Ummah. This treatise, inspired by the luminous verses of the Holy Quran and the precious narrations, examines the financial, scientific, and behavioural systems of seminary students and proposes strategies for the dynamism of seminaries. Its objective is to delineate, based upon Quranic principles and the conduct of the Prophets and Divine Saints, a coherent and effective system for the cultivation of religious scholars who are not only emancipated from material and spiritual dependencies but also, like guiding stars, illuminate the path of creation towards perfection and felicity.
The financial independence of seminaries, like a flowing river, is the vital source of their scientific and spiritual vitality. This section, through reflection on the Quranic verses, emphasises the necessity of liberating seminaries from material dependencies and progressing towards self-sufficiency.
The Divine Prophets, like radiant suns, were self-sufficient and reliant solely upon the Creator. The Holy Quran, in a luminous verse, states this truth as follows:
And O my people, I do not ask you for any wealth; my reward is only from Allah. And I am not one to drive away those who have believed. Indeed, they will meet their Lord; but I see you as a people who are ignorant.
(Surah Hud, Verse 29)
This verse, like a blazing torch, demonstrates that the Prophets, in their mission, not only refrained from demanding remuneration from people but, relying on Divine grace, were free from any material dependence. Seminaries must also adopt this conduct as their guiding principle and establish a financial system that renders scholars independent of others.
Religious leadership, like a lofty summit, requires strength and authority. The Holy Quran, in the story of Dhul-Qarnayn, beautifully illustrates this truth:
They said: O Dhul-Qarnayn! Indeed, Gog and Magog are [great] corrupters in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute so that you build a barrier between us and them? He said: That in which my Lord has established me is better; so help me with strength (of men) to make between you and them a barrier. Bring me sheets of iron.
(Surah Al-Kahf, Verses 94-95)
Dhul-Qarnayn, like a powerful leader, not only did not take financial support from the people but, relying on his own resources, brought prosperity and construction. This example indicates the necessity of financial capability for seminaries, so that they not only become self-sufficient but also are able to meet the needs of society.
Preaching religion, like a pure stream, must be free from all forms of profit-seeking. The Holy Quran states regarding this:
Do you ask them for payment? But the reward of your Lord is better, and He is the best of providers.
(Surah Al-Muminun, Verse 72)
This verse, like a clear mirror, indicates that requesting payment in exchange for religious preaching diminishes the dignity of the religious scholar and degrades him to the level of beggars. A scholar who looks to the hands of creation cannot maintain his spiritual authority.
The financial system of seminaries must be so robust that it renders scholars independent of others. This independence not only preserves the dignity of the religious scholar but elevates him to a high station, enabling him to meet societal needs and, like Dhul-Qarnayn, become a powerful and influential leader.
The connection between the previous section and this one lies in the necessity of scholar empowerment. If financial independence provides the foundation for the scholars authority, then the scientific and educational system constitutes the spirit of this authority, transforming the scholar into a bubbling fountain of knowledge and guidance.
Knowledge and piety are like two wings of a bird that elevate the religious scholar to the pinnacle of perfection. The Holy Quran states:
And those who hold fast to the Book and establish prayer indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of the reformers.
(Surah Al-Araf, Verse 170)
This verse, like a radiant light, shows that knowledge without piety is like a rootless tree that bears no fruit. A religious scholar must blend knowledge with spirituality and worship in order to be protected from misguidance and arrogance.
Seminaries must be like boundless oceans encompassing all sciences. A religious scholar must be knowledgeable not only in jurisprudence and principles but also in humanities, empirical sciences, and contemporary technologies. This comprehensiveness distinguishes him from the ignorant, as the Quran states: But I see you as a people who are ignorant (Hud: 29). A scholar unaware of contemporary sciences cannot respond to societal needs or provide guidance.
A religious scholar is like a physician who must recognise societal ailments to cure them. The seminary student must be acquainted with social corruption and anomalies to offer religious solutions. Such knowledge is not gained through isolation but through precise and conscious study of society.
The scientific and educational system of seminaries must cultivate students in a way that they are knowledgeable not only in religious sciences but also in all human knowledge. This comprehensiveness, combined with piety, transforms the scholar into a capable guide who can lead society towards perfection.
The connection of this section with the preceding one is the necessity to nurture scholars who are not only knowledgeable and pious but also exemplary in conduct for society. The behaviour of the scholar is like a mirror that reflects the religion.
Discipline, like a firm pillar, underpins the success of the seminary student. The Holy Quran, in a wise verse, describes the discipline of the Prophets: And I am not one to drive away those who have believed (Hud: 29). This verse indicates that the Prophets guided believers with Divine order and abstained from disorder. Similarly, the student must bind himself to study and research with order and discipline.
The religious scholar should be like a fruitful tree, accessible to the people and fluent in their language. The conduct of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) in responding to a Bedouin in his dialect is a shining example of this approachability. The scholar must speak with awareness of societal needs, uttering words that attract hearts.
The conduct and ethics of the religious scholar must be such that, like a clear mirror, they display the truth of religion. Discipline, order, and approachability render the scholar a worthy role model capable of guiding society towards perfection.
Seminaries, like fruitful gardens, must, through an independent financial system, comprehensive scientific curriculum, and commendable conduct, cultivate scholars who are not only freed from material and spiritual dependencies but also, like blazing torches, illuminate the path of creation towards eternal felicity. By realising these principles, seminaries can bring the world under the dominion of their knowledge and wisdom.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
