Caliph Umar established a net-work of Madrassas as a mass scale education program. He was himself a very educated person in Arabic.
In these Madrassas READING and writing of Arabic, its poetry were the main subject. During his time CALIPH USMAN ordered the inclusion of MATHEMATICS as well. The book in which I read this, is very authentic, as to how this thought came to the mind of this great Caliph.
During vacant and pensive moments this question bothered me again and again. However, one day the only possible answer flashed.
In case you have some vacant and pensive moments you can spare, please give a thought, and then we can compare notes.
THERE IS NO HURRY.
I am not writing my point of view, as it may tarnish your view. There is another interesting piece of information from our history, which I will write afterwards.
SEHRA NAWARD
All religions, at their inception, try to improve society, while conforming to the norms of the times.
Islam discouraged slavery, though did not abolish it, gave some rights to women, though not equality to men in inheritance or evidence in court.
Allowed conjugal relations with ‘Women under the Right hand’ to men, though not with “Men under the Right hand’ to women.
Allowed four simultaneous wives to men, but not even two simultaneous husbands to m,en.
It is great that Caliphs Umar and Usman promoted education.
What would you say about the following?
Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy writes in his book Islam and Science:
Ibn Khaldun, though a conservative in certain aspects of his belief, was nevertheless dismayed by the negative attitudes towards learning among the Muslims. He writes:
When the Muslims conquered Persia and came upon an indescribably large number of books and scientific papers, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas wrote to Umar bin al-Khattab asking him for permission to take them and distribute them as booty among the Muslims. On that occasion, Umar wrote him: ‘Throw them in the water. If what they contain is right guidance, God has given us better guidance. If it is error, God has protected us against it.
Page 103-104 Islam and Science
eacpe.org/content/uploads/2014/02/Islam-and-Science-BOOK.pdf
Very interesting question by the author (Sehra Naward) but even more interesting is the author’s remark “During vacant and pensive moments this question bothered me again and again. However, one day the only possible answer flashed”.
I couldn’t help but ponder on the author’s choice of word “bothered” …. again and again; Is it because the author didn’t expect this from Hazrat Omar and Usman?? Any way I am waiting for the author to elaborate on it as indicated. In the mean time I would speculate that when they conquered Egypt which was center of Greek and Roman learning, they were impressed and wanted to learn more. All the credit to them, I am not joining in pounding on the shortcomings as things were proceeding according to the time and its rather unfair to criticize with hind sight.
Babar