Debating An Idea

I was wondering why we should discuss ideas and debate certain issues, in the first place? It has been argued earlier that by discussing an issue if we are able to somehow reach to a consensus then that idea becomes a positive energy and takes us a step further. There are many such examples. In our context the example is ‘need for modern education’. It was a highly debatable issue – even leading to fatwaas of kufr. It took long for us to reach to a consensus on this point. The ultimate consensus on this matter has released immense energy and we see the results in terms of the works being done in this regard.

Modern education is not the only issue, though. Now we need to reap the real benefits of that education – creating a scientific and rational temperament. The children about whose education we are concerned at the elementary and secondary levels we need to have long-term plans, too, for them. We should be prepared for tomorrow so that we do not leave them directionless. ‘Directionlessness’ is something which we are not happy about and air our views on it – from time to time.

How will they get the desired direction? They will get the direction from us. Not from the books. How will we arrive at certain conclusions (directions)? By discussing and debating. Why do we need to do so? Because we want them to grow up more cognizant of the objectives and more tolerant. We want them to appreciate ideas when they grow up. Not only that. We want them to add to the total fund of ideas. How will they do that unless they see a tradition of healthy debate, focus, direction as well as tolerance from their elder generations? Our younger generations will be impressed upon by us more than they will be by the books.

Let us work towards that direction and focus. Let us be more tolerant towards each other so that the youngsters also grow up more tolerant. Our work is multidimensional and challenges are many. Let us develop a tradition of healthy debate and the youngsters will take it as their ideal. I will conclude by recalling what Zakiyyah Ghazal has said,

Yeh nasl-e nau to hameeN se jawaaz maNgegee

So ikhtelaaf ko hud se sewaa naheeN rakhnaa