Excess and laxity in religious education: Consequences and issues

Author: Wasiq Sadaqat

Excess and laxity are terms and concepts commonly used in general language to denote extremism and leniency, or exaggeration and negligence. However, these two notions encompass various aspects of human life, affecting crucial matters ranging from eating and drinking to debating and beyond. In religious contexts, discussions about excess and laxity often revolve around portraying religion as a source of violence and intimidation. Some individuals adopt a superficial and simplistic view of religion, which contributes significantly to extremism and laxity among Muslims.

Leaders and preachers of religion, serving as educators in religious schools, impart religious sciences to children, adolescents, and youth. Their behavior in all its forms significantly influences students and disciples, whether it manifests as harshness or tolerance and compassion.

Certain religious schools employ harsh and oppressive methods to educate children, intending to prepare them for acquiring knowledge. However, these authoritarian behaviors indirectly foster violence and a preference for aggression. Instead of promoting understanding, moderation, and empathetic responses, these methods instill rigidity, isolationism, and misconduct. Consequently, they may alienate individuals from the pursuit of religious knowledge, leading them to abandon faith and develop resentment and suspicion toward religious practitioners, undermining any positive associations with Quranic teachings and prayers.

We observe prominent examples of individuals who have been marginalized or have drifted toward extremism as a result of experiencing violence and strictness within religious contexts. These individuals often attribute the actions of certain religious scholars to all religious practitioners, attempting to tarnish the image of religion and vent their grievances. They resort to insult, harassment, and even issue death sentences against those they oppose, participating in social networks that reinforce their ideologies and perpetuate conflict with others. These perspectives have influenced a significant portion of society, pushing them toward extremism and laxity, both of which pose serious threats to social harmony and stability.

Therefore, contemporary society is increasingly shifting away from moderation and centrism toward extremism and laxity, posing significant challenges to societal peace and stability.