Muslim Response to Western Education: A Study of Darul Ulum Deoband

Abstract

As a consequence of the uprising of 1857 most of the Muslim institutions. of learning either came to a halt due to the unfavorable circumstances or were forced to close as a result of British anti-Muslim policies. It was in this situational background wherein a strong need of having a central religious institution of learning was felt by the Muslim masses as well as intelligentsia. This thought ultimately culminated in the initiation and emergence of Darul ‘Ulum Deoband. The main work of Darul ‘Ulum Deoband was to teach the Qur’an, Hadith and Fiqh, and to produce such scholars in these fields, who can defend Islamic civilization from the ill effects of modern education. The present paper will highlight the causes of the establishment of this seminary and mainly will focus on the objectives as proposed by its founders.

Keywords: Darul ‘Ulum, modern education, religious education, Muslims, Islam, Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh