The Role of Scholars and Society’s Apathy — An Intellectual Tragedy

In every Muslim society, scholars — or Ulama — are the spiritual backbone and guiding light. Islam places immense importance on those who acquire and teach knowledge. The Qur’an says:

> “It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.” (Surah Fatir: 28)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said:

> “The scholars are the heirs of the prophets.” (Hadith — Abu Dawood)

It is these scholars who preserve the purity of Islam, interpret the Qur’an and Hadith, protect the faith from distortion, and educate generations in the principles of righteousness. Without them, the light of religious guidance would flicker and fade.

Scholars are not confined to the pulpit. They serve as intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and even political leaders of the Muslim Ummah. Throughout history, revolutions and reformations were led or supported by scholars — from the scholarly foundations of the Ottoman Empire to the anti-colonial struggles in South Asia. Their efforts have shaped the moral and spiritual landscape of entire civilizations.

But sadly, the modern era paints a disturbing contrast.

Instead of respecting and valuing scholars and religious students, many communities now regard them with suspicion or even hostility. The very students who dedicate their youth to memorizing the Qur’an, learning Arabic, studying Islamic jurisprudence, and mastering the science of Hadith are sometimes labeled as “backward,” “extremist,” or “a burden on society.”

This prejudice has reached dangerous levels.

Recently, a horrifying incident came to light: more than 45 students and teachers at a religious school were poisoned through food — bread laced with toxic substances. The victims are now fighting for their lives in hospitals. This wasn’t a random act of cruelty — it was targeted hatred towards innocent people devoted to seeking knowledge of faith.

How have we reached this point?

These students — future imams, preachers, and teachers — did not rob anyone, vandalize property, or incite violence. Their only "crime" is studying the religion of Islam. They wake up for Fajr, spend their days immersed in scripture and scholarship, and live simple, humble lives in service to God and humanity.

Harming such people is not just a crime against individuals — it’s a crime against knowledge, against divine guidance, and against the spiritual heritage of the Muslim world. When society turns against its scholars, it turns against its own moral compass.

There are several reasons why this hostility exists:

A lack of awareness about the vital role scholars play

Media portrayal of ulama as outdated or extreme

Neglect of religious institutions by governments and elites

Misconduct by a few self-proclaimed “scholars” that tarnish the image of genuine ones

Yet none of these reasons justify violence, hatred, or dehumanization. The solution is not to fight knowledge with ignorance, or faith with fear — but to restore respect, reform education, and reconnect with our roots.

Scholars have always stood as beacons of wisdom and reform. They are the ones who:

Teach us how to pray, marry, and bury our dead

Guide us through moral dilemmas and spiritual confusion

Keep the message of the Qur’an alive

Offer solutions to modern challenges through faith-based ethics

Preserve Arabic, Islamic law, and prophetic traditions for future generations

We, as a society, must respond to this crisis of conscience. We must:

Respect scholars regardless of their school of thought

Support religious students by providing financial aid, food, and housing

Invest in mosques, seminaries, and Islamic centers

Speak out against violence and injustice towards religious communities

Promote interfaith and intra-faith dialogue led by scholars

Let us not forget: scholars are not relics of the past — they are architects of the future. Their pens have preserved what swords could not. Their voices echo in hearts long after they are gone. And their prayer, sincerity, and wisdom hold the power to uplift societies lost in darkness.

The recent poisoning incident is not just a tragedy — it’s a wake-up call.

If we allow such hatred to continue, we risk raising generations disconnected from their faith, their values, and their identity. The destruction of a scholar is not the fall of one man — it is the fall of a community’s hope.

Let us choose to be protectors of knowledge, not its enemies. Let us honor the sacred, not poison it. Let us support students of faith, not abandon them.

For in honoring them, we honor our future