The Accusation of Venerating Scholars and the Contradictions of the Modern Mind
✍ Written by: Zahid Mughal
The Modernists’ Accusation: Veneration of Scholars
A common tactic used by modernists and their followers is to accuse traditional religious individuals of “venerating scholars” (akabir parasti). They claim that these individuals blindly follow the views of their elders without using reason, and they cite Qur’anic criticism of such blind following. According to them, anyone who considers the views of the early scholars to be correct and acts upon them is considered irrational and a blind imitator.
The False Assumption about Reason
This objection is based on the assumption that using reason necessarily means rejecting the views of earlier scholars. However, the real question is: If someone uses their intellect and finds the conclusions of earlier scholars to be correct, what is the fault in that? Is the principle of reason such that everyone must arrive at the same conclusions reached by the modernists?
The Contradiction in Their Concept of Reason
In reality, those who accuse others of venerating scholars are themselves acting on the same principle. For them, the standard of reason is “my intellect,” and anyone who thinks differently is deemed irrational. This attitude is, in itself, a form of veneration—because modernists also elevate their preferred opinions while dismissing the reasoning of millions of others.
The Shifting Standard of Reason
It is also important to understand that reason is always attached to some reference point, and when that reference changes, the outcomes also change. Those who take pride in their “modernized reason” should recognize that the conclusions of reason can change merely by changing its underlying reference.
The Objection of “Taking Us Backwards” and the Illusion of Progress
❖ Objection to Traditional Religious Thought
When traditional religious individuals refer to the early Islamic generations (Qurūn Ūlā), the modern mind objects by saying, “The mullah wants to take us backward, while time always moves forward.” Those who present this argument believe it to be a strong intellectual criticism, whereas in reality, it is extremely weak and unscientific.
The Myth of Time’s Inherent Progression
The modern mindset believes that time is advancing under some invisible force. However, the truth is that progress and advancement are always directed toward a particular ideal. The current age is moving in the direction of capitalism and material needs, not towards progress in every aspect of life.
Different Standards of Progress
The claim that modern man is developed in every regard is contrary to reality. For example, moral decline, ignorance, and brutality have intensified in the modern era. Therefore, to say that time is advancing on every scale is completely incorrect.
Difference in Value Priorities
When the traditional religious mindset calls for a return to the early generations, it is actually a call to return to Divine (Rahmānī) values, whereas the present capitalist system defines advancement as progress toward Satanic (Shayṭānī) values.
The Reality of the Modern Mind
The modern mind has reduced the standards of progress to material conveniences—such as cars instead of camels, or mobile phones instead of handwritten letters. Based on these standards, it mocks every concept that does not align with its value preferences.
The Disappointing State of Muslim Thinkers
❖ Absolute Ijtihad and “Repairing” Islam
Some Muslim thinkers, in their submission to modernity, attempt to reshape Islam according to contemporary material demands, and they label this process as “absolute ijtihad.” Alongside this, they also criticize the early scholars, which is in reality nothing but an attempt to merge Islam into the capitalist system.
