Summer Schools - Islam

First is the importance of the study of Islam- which subject is still new to the majority of the believers, but whose importance for a proper and sound understanding of the Cause is absolutely indispensable. Your Committee should therefore continue to emphasize the study of this all-important subject, and make every effort to provide the attendance with all the facilities required, such as textbooks, competent lecturers and writers, who though not necessarily Bahá’ís, should have a correct knowledge and sound appreciation of Islam, so as to be able to impress its true significance and mission upon all the attendants at the school.

Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 561

The Guardian would certainly advise, and even urge the friends to make a thorough study of the Qur'án as the knowledge of this Sacred Scripture is absolutely indispensable for every believer who wishes to adequately understand and intelligently read the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Although there are very few persons among our Western Bahá’ís who are capable of handling such a course in a scholarly way yet, the mere lack of such competent teachers should encourage and stimulate the believers to get better acquainted with the Sacred Scriptures of Islam. In this way, there will gradually appear some distinguished Bahá’ís who will be so well versed in the teachings of Islam as to be able to guide the believers in their study of that religion.

Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 561-562