When scientists invented vaccinations against fatal epidemics, scholars objected. When the lightning rod was invented and artificial rain was made, scholars objected. They also objected when doctors started transplants and when the intensive care units (ICUs) were invented under the pretext that such inventions hinder the Heavenly will and delay the patients’ death. When these scholars suffered serious diseases, they rushed to the advanced hospitals in the West and they did not mind being treated in the ICU.
When Johannes Gutenberg, a German, invented the letterpress printing in 1441 that led to the cultural and religious revolution; scholars objected to bringing such machines to Arab countries. They even prohibited bicycles, cars, telephones, radio, television and many other inventions. The scholars prohibited football and objected to sports wear, as well as getting educated in non-Muslim countries.
Throughout history; a few intellectuals like Maarouf Al-Rasafi, Ali Shariati, Al-Sadeq Al- Naihoum, Sayyed Al-Qemni, Nawal Al- Saadawi, Ahmed Al-Baghdadi, Taha Husain, Faraj Fouda, Khalil Abdulkareem, Sadeq Jalal Al-Adhm, Nasr Hamed Abu Zaid, Ali Al-Wardi, Abdullqh Al-Qessaimi, Bu Ali Yaseen and others opposed the scholars’ vision. They were subjected to oppression and they did not leave any inheritance to their families, except a small amount and a lot of problems.
On the other hand, we have seen the big houses owned by scholars, especially in Western countries which they call the non-believers’ homeland. They enrolled their children in the most advanced universities there. Thanks to charities and government support, they managed to own educational institutions, including private schools and private universities. They did everything to enjoy worldly desires. Some of them stole the money of charities they administered. They left an inexhaustible amount to their interitors.
After all, an ignorant person accuses the secularist and enlightening figures of plunging into life pleasures; forgetting about the eternal pleasure in paradise. The silent ignorant majority cannot see the facts. Furthermore, they prefer to pretend being a fool. They are satisfied with the illusion.
A friend of mine asked me about the reasons behind my insistence on writing continuously despite the problems I have suffered in my life, business and social relations. I know well that my articles have not solved my problems, if any, and they have not found solutions to the nation’s problems. However, I believe that writing makes me feel better from inside and makes the world around me much better, as well as long as I refuse to be bound by any inherited ideology.
Perhaps, some people prefer to accompany me on my way, while others prefer to go on the same course either individually or with the company of others.
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By Ahmad Alsarraf
