Epigraph
“There
is in every village a torch – the Teacher: and an extinguisher – the
Clergyman.” - Victor Hugo
(Reading time: 2-3 minutes)
His words resonate deeply with the Qur’anic vision of human responsibility. The Qur’an does not call us to switch off our minds, but rather to sharpen them. God honours reason as a gift and condemns its neglect.
“Indeed,
the worst of creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not
use reason.” (Qur’an 8:22)
“…But
He will place defilement upon those who do not use reason.” (Qur’an 10:100)
“And
they will say, ‘If only we had listened or reasoned, we would not be among the
companions of the Blaze.’” (Qur’an 67:10)
“And
I had no power over you; I only invited you, and you accepted my invitation.
So, do not blame me; blame yourselves. Qur’an (14:27)
A teacher
enlightens; he awakens thought, encourages reflection, and nurtures growth. The
clergyman, when he forgets his role, can extinguish this torch by demanding
blind obedience. Yet the Qur’an reminds us that guidance is not compulsion, and
that every individual will one day answer to God, alone:
“And
all of them will come to Him on the Day of Resurrection, alone.” (Qur’an
19:95)
True
scholarship does not suffocate the mind—it empowers it. The believer is called
to listen, reflect, and reason. To embrace faith not as an inherited shell, but
as a conscious, thoughtful journey.
The torch
of a teacher is the flame of reason; the extinguisher of the clergyman is blind
submission. Which fire will we carry into the Day we stand before God alone?
“It is
a blessed book which We have revealed to you [O Prophet] so that people ponder
on its verses and so that those endowed with intellect are reminded by
it.” - Qur’an (38:29)
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