Dr Ahmed Khater: The Torch Has Been Passed to Us

All praise is due to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muḥammad, his family, companions, and those who follow in their footsteps. To proceed:

Indeed Allah the Almighty has preserved this religion, and it has spread all over the world. Islam has reached people in the English-speaking world while sitting comfortably in their homes. Our Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “This matter will certainly reach wherever the night and day have reached.” From the reasons for the preservation of this religion and it reaching us all the way on the other side of the world is Allah the Almighty bringing about scholars who dedicated their lives to serving this religion. They were walking endowments for Islam. They spent their lives and wealth to study and teach Islam so that it could be passed down to us completely preserved in text and understanding. Sufyan al-Thawri said: “The angels are the guardians of the heavens, and the people of ḥadith are the guardians of the earth.” These scholars did their part, may Allah the Almighty shower them in His mercy and grant them the highest levels of Paradise!

The torch has now been passed to us. It is our turn to dedicate our lives to studying and teaching this religion so that it may be passed down to the next generations. This is particularly crucial for the Muslims living as minorities in the West where our children are being brought up with doubts about their religion. We need a new generation of students of knowledge and scholars in the West who will be able to deal with the issues Muslims face, and be the vanguards of teaching the noble and balanced values of Islam. The values that promote piety and trustworthiness, enjoining good and forbidding evil, modesty and moderation, serving humanity, kindness and respect for others, living well with our neighbors, upholding justice, and more, are all part of the Islamic legacy that will help to bolster our identity in the West.

Not everyone will be able to study and become a scholar, but we can all do our part. We can all at least support our educational institutions so that we can produce those who will connect the past with the present and continue this unbroken chain of religious transmission. Based on this, I encourage everyone to support Mishkah University, and we ask Allah to use us for that which pleases Him and not for that which displeases Him. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muḥammad, his family, and companions.