A STUDY OF FATAWAS (RELIGIOUS DECREES) REGARDING TEACHING AND LEARNING ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Abstract

The present study discusses Muslim religious scholars' attitudes in the sub-continent when it was under British rulers' influence.The study focuses on the causes of religious scholars' indifference and their hostile attitudes towards the English language in the pre-partition era. The data has been collected from various fatawa books written by Muslim religious scholars during the pre-partition period. Researchersanalyse the fatawas (religious decrees) under the paradigm of Islam and English language and attitudes of religious scholars in the pre-partition era.The fatawashas been examined through a content analysis of the text. The study's findings reveal that Muslim religious scholars wereagainst English language learning and teaching to such an extent that they issued Fatawas declaring that learning and teaching English was illegitimate (Najaiz) because they believed that Christian missionaries were against Muslims and Islam. Thefindingsfurther suggest that future English language curriculum planning should considersociety's cultural and religious requirements so that everyone in the community can learn English according to their needs. The study also highlightsculturalharmonyfrom the perspectiveofEnglish languagelearning.