I agree with the first few points that you mention on what a scholar is.
But disagree with the rest.
[quote]
- they have very little knowledge on history and historical context of their religion as obtained from sources outside the religion. From an archeological point of view, a lot has been written on islam by muslims, but also a lot has been written about islam by others. I think knowledge of the latter source is also pivotal to understand the role of islam in the world as a whole.
- they are very close-minded for opinions that fall outside their own scope, even though noone is enforcing those opinions on the scholar. Somehow they experience it as an attack on the integrity of their religion, if someone puts forth a different opinion, even if it was for informational purposes
- they have very little knowledge on (the history of) other religions/cultures/civilizations.
[/quote]
1. Not true, it all depends on the scholars you go to, not all will have knowledge of history from non-Muslims BUT there a great number scholars who read and know what the non-Muslims said and say about Islam (historical, cultural, social,etc..)
A true scholar will never feel that the other party is attacking their religion. Again, you have chosen to look at a specific category of scholars that you are used to. A true scholar will debate the issue in a civilized manner in light of Quran and Sunnah (these are sources which a Muslim cannot deny)
Scholars DO HAVE knowledge of history of other religions and cultures. It is with this knowledge they have been able with the help of Allah to give dawah to other cultures. One can only give dawah if one is able to understand the way of life of the party that is being given dawah too. For the past 1400 years, you think scholars have no knowledge of other cultures? Yes there are some who have no interest in learning other cultures but that's not to say they are not considered scholars, they are in their own right.
Now as for your proposal, please do not take this as I am attacking you, just an observation and my view on this topic, *who are you to come up with a curriculum? Are you a scholar?
*
We already have a curriculum and it has been passed on for the last 1400 years and it has been modified with time. This has been passed down by **scholars **themselves and if these knowledgeable people for the past hundreds of years have not had to change the way, then who are we to impose?
There are still many traditional scholars who also seek worldly knowledge. The best of them are doctors, engineers, lawyers, you name it. And scholars ENCOURAGE to seek worldly knowledge because all knowledge is good.
But we forget, it's not an easy task to becoming a scholar. It's not an ordinary position that one has. It is an honour bestowed on those who show true faith, who sacrifice more than the ordinary individual, they give up daily luxuries, subhan'Allah,...after all they are not seeking worldly knowledge! They are learning the Word of Allah! The knowledge passed down from the Rasoolullah (pbuh)!! If some body thinks that all this can be obtained in the same manner worldly knowledge is obtained, sorry to say but that somebody does not appreciate TRUE knowledge.
It is time to aknowledge our Ulema for what they have done and are doing. It is time to pray for them!
Narrated Anas:
Rasoolullah (pbuh) said: "From among the portents of the Hour are (the following):
**Religious knowledge will be taken away (by the death of Religious learned men).
**Narrated Abu hurairah:
And 'Umar bin 'Abdul 'Aziz wrote to Abu Bakr bin Hazm, "Look for the knowledge of Hadith and get it written, as I am afraid that religious knowledge will vanish and the religious learned men will pass away (die). Do not accept anything save the Hadiths of the Prophet. Circulate knowledge and teach the ignorant, for knowledge does not vanish except when it is kept secretly (to oneself)."
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al' As:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "**Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray.**"
Allah has put the Ulema at such a status that their testimony is being taking along with the Angels! Allah says:
*Allah (Himself) is Witness that there is no Allah save Him. And the angels and the men of learning (too are witness). Maintaining His creation in justice, there is no Allah save Him the Almighty, the Wise.
*
surah imran verse 18.
may Allah preserve the Ulema.
Bro, please do not misundstand my intention, I know you too have good intentions. Allah knows best.