Nurturing Faith, Knowledge and Future Change-makers
The mosque was never meant to be a place of prayer alone; it stood as the heart of the community, nurturing people in faith, character and skills, while ensuring that no one in the neighbourhood suffered from distress, loneliness or moral neglect. Yet today, we see youth grappling with depression, drug abuse, unemployment and distress, while parents and communities often feel helpless talking but offering no concrete solutions. In the time of the Prophet (PBUH) if someone was absent from prayer, he and his companions would inquire about their well-being and whereabouts. Today, in our modern and competitive world, many young people remain isolated within the four walls of their rooms, disconnected from guidance and support, with no one checking on their welfare.
In today’s competitive world, our youth are surrounded by distractions, from endless reels and online games to rising stress, isolation and pressure. While competition for exams, jobs and life opportunities intensifies, many young people struggle to find direction. The question is: can we reshape our social and religious institutions to prepare the youth not only morally but also academically and professionally?
If we look back at history, mosques were never limited to prayer. They stood as living centres of education, community welfare, leadership and skill-building. They offered spaces where knowledge met spirituality and service met purpose. In simple words, a mosque was a complete institution, nurturing people who were faithful in worship, honest in character, caring towards others, strong in spirit, intellectually curious, socially responsible and culturally rooted. If we revive that model today, our mosques can once again nurture better human beings and stronger communities, free from hatred, ignorance and violence, filled instead with empathy, understanding and purpose.
The first Islamic university, Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco (859 AD), began inside a mosque and is still recognised as one of the world’s oldest functioning universities. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Sahih Bukhari). Yet historically, teaching in mosques was never confined to religious texts alone. Knowledge of science, medicine, mathematics, philosophy and craftsmanship flourished within these walls. Scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Al-Khwarizmi, the father of algebra and Al-Biruni were products of such learning traditions.
Just as astronomy, algebra and philosophy once flourished in mosque-based centres of learning across the Islamic world, our mosques today can rediscover that spirit of knowledge and innovation. The Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain once served as both a place of worship and an academic hub where subjects like astronomy, medicine and mathematics were taught, blending faith with scientific inquiry. In Morocco, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque developed into a vibrant centre where algebra and the sciences flourished. Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque evolved into a global seat of Islamic and scientific scholarship, nurturing generations in astronomy, mathematics and logic. Even the famous House of Wisdom in Baghdad, though not a mosque itself grew from that intellectual culture, employing pioneers like Al-Khwarizmi and Al-Battani.
If such brilliance once emerged from these sacred spaces, there is no reason why coding, artificial intelligence and digital innovation cannot flourish in our mosques today. With modest resources, a few computers and visionary mentors, mosques can once again turn devotion into discovery and transform prayer into purpose. In the Valley of Kashmir, a land known for its beauty, spirituality and craftsmanship, this model could inspire a quiet educational renaissance. Imagine Kashmiri youth, guided by faith and powered by skill, building apps, designing technologies and reviving local crafts within mosque-based learning spaces. That would honour the legacy of Islamic scholarship and create a generation of ethical innovators rooted in tradition, yet ready for the future.
Today, many young people spend hours scrolling on phones or wasting time after college. And school. Why not reimagine mosques as modern learning hubs? Every mosque could dedicate a small, peaceful room for students preparing for UPSC, NEET, or other competitive exams, a mobile-free, distraction-free zone open to all. Imagine hundreds of youth studying together, helping each other and growing morally as well as academically. Coding clubs, AI training, and digital skills programs could be hosted alongside craft workshops, reviving traditions such as Pashmina, woodcarving and papier-mache. Students could learn skills part-time, earning while learning, preserving culture and preparing for self-employment.
Friday sermons can expand beyond religious teaching to address real social issues: drug addiction, depression, digital distraction and career guidance. Imams counselling youth and parents can create a healthier, balanced society. Imagine a student who attends college during the day, offers Asr prayers in the evening and then stays in the mosque’s study corner to prepare for exams. Or a group of teenagers who, instead of wasting evenings online, gather to learn coding or crafts in a calm, faith-based environment. Parents would feel secure, knowing their children are safe and productive. Youth would find purpose and mentorship. Society would gain professionals, IAS officers, doctors, engineers, artisans who are not just skilled but ethical, grounded and spiritually conscious.
Picture the Valley of Kashmir, where every village or town has two or three IAS officers, several doctors, engineers and professors, products of discipline, moral strength and community support. A society like that would naturally be free from crime, falsehood and despair. It would reflect the very spirit of Islam, the faith that calls humans “Ashraful Makhluqat,” the noblest of all creations. The Qur’an reminds us: “And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’”(Surah Ta-Ha, 20:114)
The beauty of this idea lies in its balance. Students offer prayers, then spend focused hours in study. Parents feel reassured. Youth gain knowledge, discipline and ethical grounding. The Qur’an’s first command was “Read” a call to seek knowledge. Today’s education demands reading, analysis and problem-solving. When linked with faith, learning gains depth, meaning and purpose.
Imagine a mosque library where twenty young aspirants prepare for UPSC after Maghrib prayers. A few months later, one clears the exam. As an IAS or IPS officer, they return to the same mosque, not only to pray but to mentor the next generation. This cycle produces citizens who are successful yet humble, intelligent yet compassionate, the kind of people every society needs. This approach reduces wasted time, curbs addiction and depression and builds low-cost, community-based education systems. Parents gain trust and successful candidates inspire others, creating a continuous chain of guidance and hope.
Though this article focuses on mosques, the idea applies equally to temples, gurdwaras, churches and community halls. Every faith space can become a hub for learning and growth, bridging the divide between spiritual and worldly education. Universities and colleges can collaborate by donating books, organising mock tests or holding mentorship drives in such community spaces. Government initiatives such as Skill India and Digital India can support this model. What’s needed is not heavy infrastructure but a simple change in mindset.
We live in an age of competition and confusion. Our youth need safe, focused and value-driven spaces. Mosques already unite people through faith; now they can also unite them through knowledge, ethics and excellence. If tomorrow a young officer says, “I prepared for my exams in the mosque library after Maghrib prayers,” we will know that our mosques have reclaimed their true place, not only as houses of worship but as universities of life. It is time to move from idle time to ideal time. Our mosques and indeed all places of faith, can lead that change.
Dr. Shahid Ali Khan is a Researcher and Academician presently serves the University of Kashmir as Cultural Officer.
