20 - The reformer says:

"Many parasitical people live among Muslims today. Though it is declared that man has nothing but his labor, madrasas, imarats (food-kitchens for the poor) and Darwish lodges get filled by millions of lazy, so not useful but harmful, people."

It is an ayat in the surat an-Najm which declares that man has no profit other than his labor. Religion reformers mention this ayat very frequently but they understand its meaning little. Those who know the preceding and following ayats easily comprehend that this ayat is about the advantages pertaining to the next world. Moreover, men can utilize also the things which they do not work for. Inheritance is an evident example for this.

This ayat declares that as one will not suffer harm from another's guilt in the next world, so his advantage will be only what he deserves. Every Muslim has to try to work for the advantages of this world provided it will not harm the advantages of the next world. Such work is an 'ibada, a religious duty. In urging people to work, it is out of place to interpret this ayat wrongly.

It is surprising that the reformer regards students as parasites and the imarats established for the benefit of the poor and the destitute, not as good places but as harmful places. There is no doubt that madrasas and imarats help education, culture and humanity. Should not we build hospitals for the poor, either?