MADRASAS: RELIGIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE IN ACTION
One of the many benefits that the Muslim community derives from religious institutions is the establishment of a “religious infrastructure.” Any activity, to function effectively, requires suitable practical planning or infrastructure. For example, commercial activities in a country succeed only when there is a comprehensive network of facilities enabling the transportation of goods across the nation, as well as an efficient telecommunication system that can easily transmit messages across distant areas. This necessity is equally applicable to religious and national endeavours, where a widespread infrastructure is essential. Just as physical infrastructure is crucial for material development, religious infrastructure is necessary for the growth and sustainability of religious efforts.
Religious schools, or madrasas, initially began as small initiatives but gradually expanded. The nature of the work at these institutions evolved such that young people trained in these schools gained the skills to establish their own madrasas. Thus, the madrasa movement began, advancing naturally on its own accord. Graduates from one madrasa went on to establish new institutions. This growth wasn’t just arithmetical, like 1, 2, 3, and so on; it became geometric, expanding rapidly at a rate of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and so forth. This type of expansion became a sustainable movement, self-driven by its inherent characteristics.
As a result of this, the religious school movement not only survived but began to flourish with increasing internal strength. It spread rapidly, creating small-scale centers of learning almost everywhere. Mosques served as precursors to madrassas (Islamic schools), establishing the foundation for such institutions. Thus, nearly every mosque either housed a madrassa or eventually became the base for one. When the mosque’s capacity proved insufficient, permanent madrassas were established in the form of dedicated buildings. This created a network of madrassas on a smaller scale across the country, whose number has been estimated to be in the thousands, or even hundreds of thousands.
These madrassas were initially set up to provide purely religious education. However, as per the law of nature, they eventually developed an infrastructure that became the foundational pillar for every religious and national movement in the region. In the 20th century, any religious or national movement that emerged on this land found these madrassas ready to produce prepared minds and supporters. The madrassas facilitated the leaders of such movements by creating a favourable environment for their objectives. They became local supporters for movements and helped create conditions conducive to their success. From their establishment to the organization of meetings, the madrassas played a critical role in providing the required resources.
If this network of madrassas had not been in place, it would not have been possible for any national movement in contemporary times to achieve the scale and scope necessary to make a significant impact. Their existence not only facilitated the core mission of these movements but also generated additional, unintended benefits, much like a tree that, after its initial growth, provides shade, fruit, and wood.
Similarly, any righteous movement launched within a society inevitably produces supplementary benefits. This principle applies to religious schools. Although their primary goal is to promote religious knowledge, their establishment often results in multiple other benefits. A significant advantage is that these schools become foundational institutions for future national movements, contributing to the social and religious fabric of the region.
