"Farah school" -- future sect to be

[miqbal]

Why has Al-Mawrid, Understanding-Islam and their associates started calling themselves "Farahi School" now? I thought that they were all averse to the schools of thoughts and methods, but once you start calling yourself this, then it causes a lot of trouble.

People label others, "oh he is from Farahi school, don't listen to him", or "Well, these people are someones to stay away from" etc. Why not just be Muslims and do not even say that you are leading a movement? A hundred years from now, there may be sub-sect of Muslims, called Farahis.

Just thinking and wondering.

[Ronnie]

Salam,

Welcome to the forum. I appreciate your post and I totally agree with you. We are not a "sect" nor do we want to create or promote one. The mission of these scholars and their students is to give an understanding of Islam through the lenses of the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet (P). To put it simply we are trying to acquire knowledge of Islam through academic investigation of all the sources we have available to us and those that are applicable. This in no way should be seen as some sect or anything remotely close.

I do understand your concern and it is my concern. However, I believe that you have misunderstood the usage of "Farahi School" in its context. This term is only used in comparative studies project. So the name is only given to the particular academic approach to understanding islam, nothing more. No other name suits it more... than the person who revived this approach.

I hope this has clarified why that term was used, however, rest assured that we agree with you on this point and in no way advocate sectarian mentality.

Thank you so much for your concern and I appreciate you writing to us. I look forward to more of your posts.

Wassalam

[miqbal]

Wa aleikum us salaam,

Thanks for the clarification. However, my concern is not that you are creating a new sect. My concern is that it could have negative effects if people understand it wrongly. The problem usually is amongst the less careful in the society.

Those are paritcularly those who worry me. As I result, I would personally rather not see any name associated with this effort with the fear that history may repeat itself, as it has done with many sects, movements and schools of thoughts previously.

Allah Hafiz,
Omer

[Ronnie]

Brother Miqbal,

You words have not gone unheeded. The concerns that you have mentioned are our concerns also. I have spoken to others about this and it will definitely be kept in mind. Thank you so much for your input. It means a lot.

wassalam

[Atif Rahman]

Salamz,

I agree with Miqbal. While I know that the scholars of Al-Mawrid are not attempted to establish a "school" of thought, the fact that people in this day and age convienently seek to compartmentalize and catagorize muslims into this group or the other should be considered.

Therefore, rather than try to describe the predominently academic and objective approach that the scholars of Al-Mawrid with a word that could easily be misunderstood as characterizing a "school of thought", it may be better to err on the side of caution and avoid the word.

Best wishes,
Atif

[mastermind]

Asalamoalaikum

Iam pretty happy to know regarding your concern over the issue of sects but if Mr. Ronnie and other members of UI team clarify the term " Farahi School" by explaining it to the visitors which i think they have already done ,than i dont think any person would have any problems with this term in the future.

Another important fact that i would like to point out is that their is a difference between "School" and "School of Thought"..
"School" generally means an institution for academic education....
Their are several Islamic Schools which provides academic religious education to students like "Iqra School" and does not have any kind of affiliation with sects, political and religious groups.
According to my understanding ,the term "Farahi School" has been used for the similar purpose as the term"Iqra School" has been used ...
to actually promote academic and intellectual studies related to Islam
among Muslim Ummah.
As i already mentioned that the term "School is pretty different from the term "School of Thought" which is based on the teachings of a perticular catagory of people following a perticular interpretation of religious beliefs and traditions.

I hope my post is clear



Read Qur'an because Qur'an gives the criterion which distinguishes between right and wrong.