Western System of Education.
Today undoubtedly we see a clash between two completely different ideologies. The Islamic and the western concepts of life, values and traditions.
One such concept is that of education. Sheikh Abul Hasan An Nadwi states : “The spirit of an educational system runs through its entire structure, transcending philosophy, literature, fine arts and social and even exact sciences. To isolate a system of education from its spirit and essence is not an easy task. It will require men of outstanding faith, vision and ability to choose from it what is good and to discard what is evil. It may not be so hard in physical and empirical sciences but where philosophy and literature and the social sciences are concerned the drawing of a line between the shadow and the substance is bound to be exacting. More specially, when a community characterized by a definite and comprehensive creed , and eternal code and a philosophy of life and a history which is not merely a collection of the junk and litter of the past but is still capable of showing light to the future generations, and for which the personality of the Holy Prophet and his period of his ministry occupy the place of an ideal, accepts for itself the educational system of another community or period of time which is diametrically opposed to its own spiritual and ethical destiny and cultural make-up, a clash between the two is bound to occur and each step making it impossible for it, ultimately to uphold, revere or carry forward the one without denying of rejecting the other.
In a situation like this , there first take place the intellectual confrontation, then moral and spiritual uncertainty comes in which, in due course, is followed by the repudiation of one`s own faith and the substitution of the traditional concept of life with new norms and values. This is a natural process, and, like all natural processes it makes no exceptions. No amount of wishful thinking or the pricking of the conscience or the adoption of piecemeal or outward measure can prevent it from taking its course. Its advantage can be slowed down but it cannot be halted at any stage. A tree growing according to the natural law of its development must send forth new leaves and branches at the appropriate time. It must bear fruits in its own way. It is in our hands not to plait it at all, or if it has already been plaited, to allow it to wither away by withholding water from it or to cut it down from the roots if it has attained maturity. But we simply cannot stop a healthy and flourishing tree from blooming up at the appointed time.
The same is true for the western system of education. It is endowed with a distinctive temperament and personality which is representative of the innate disposition and ideals of its architects and of the Western people, as a whole. It is a product of a thousand years of evolution. When this system is introduced in an Islamic society it can lead only to its decline, both intellectually and spiritually. In the end, there can be nothing but mental and religious apostasy. ( Pg. 158-159 0f Western civilization Islam and Muslims)
The western system of education is one of the biggest fears, that can destroy our ideologies and methodologies. Therefore Muslims should be extremely careful in the type of education systems they choose, for the future generations could suffer greatly at our hands.