At the time of establishing Idara Ma’arif-e-Islami, Maulana Maududi laid down a comprehensive set of goals and objectives to guide the institution’s intellectual, academic, and research activities. His vision was to create a center dedicated to the revival and promotion of Islamic thought through scholarly research, publication, translation, and the training of competent researchers and scholars. He sought to address contemporary social, political, economic, and intellectual challenges in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah, while strengthening the unity of the Muslim Ummah and fostering cooperation with academic institutions across the Muslim world. The following goals and objectives, formulated by Maulana Maududi, served as the foundational framework for the institution’s mission and activities.
- Research and Composition:
In light of Islamic teachings concerning various fields of human life, the aim is to prepare scientific and research literature in a modern contemporary style. This literature, on one hand, should provide guidance in areas such as education and training, economy and society, philosophy and history, politics and government, based on Quran and Sunnah, and on the other hand, provide satisfactory answers to doubts arising from the promotion of modern ignorant philosophies.
- Translations:
The objective includes translating the most important and useful works of intellectuals and mujtahideen of the Ummah produced over the last fourteen hundred years into Urdu and other local languages, and these translations should be presented in a style that appeals to and satisfy the intellectual needs of the modern mind. This involves translating the significant contributions of contemporary Muslim thinkers and preachers of Islam from various languages of the world into Urdu. Additionally, the Academy aims to translate important religious, academic, and motivational books from Urdu to other languages.
- Study and Research of Contemporary Issues:
Presenting solutions to the problems arising from the womb of the atheistic civilization of the West in the light of Islam and proving that the solution to the immense problems and difficulties that the secular civilization of the West has plagued humanity with is only in the adoption of the Islamic system. Simultaneously, by conducting a post-mortem of the intellectual errors and scientific destructions of Western democracy, communism, and other illogical philosophies, it is necessary to prove how detrimental the consequences of the deception of these materialistic ideas are for the Muslim Ummah.
- Organization of Training for the Talented People:
Conducting refresher courses from time to time, through which talented individuals can become proficient in different languages, enabling them to carry out translation, research, and writing duties in these languages and provide leadership in both arenas.
- Research on the Problems Faced by the Muslim World:
After studying and analyzing the various political, social, civil, and economic problems faced by the Muslim world, presenting their solutions, introducing pro-Islamic movements and personalities, exposing enemies of Islam, and revealing the movements’ conspiracies and intrigues. The goal is to make the leaders and people of the Islamic world believe that the solution to all their problems lies in the establishment of unity and the Islamic system.
- Linkages with other Academic and Research Institutions:
To seek cooperation by establishing linkages with various scientific and research institutions, universities, and other entities in the Islamic and Arab worlds. The goal is to promote and publish Islamic thoughts, ideas, and revive the intellectual heritage of the Muslim Ummah. Collaboration includes exchanging academic delegations to benefit from shared experiences in the fields of dawah and academic research so that the research skills can be developed further.
- Ummah Unity:
The aim is to promote moderation by minimizing the jurisprudential differences between Muslims and to unite on common principles based on Quran and Sunnah.
These goals were set by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, the founder of Idara Maarif-e-Islami, However, after the death of Maulana Maududi, the institution’s Board of Directors later added the following two objectives:
Publicizing the Da”wat of Syed Maududi:
This involves promoting and publishing the valuable works of Maulana Maududi, documenting his efforts over fifty years in establishing the Islamic system and resisting movements against enemies of Islam. Moreover, Writing and publishing valuable and the widely celebrated articles by Maulana that cover various topics, such as Tafheem-ul- Qur’an, in the form of permanent books, and making special arrangements for literature related to Maulana’s life, Da’wat, and the Movement.
Allocation of Academic and Research Scholarships:
For righteous and talented youth who are capable of research and academic work, special scholarships named “Maududi Scholarships” are granted, in various fields of life, e.g., education and training, economy and society, history and philosophy, or jurisprudence and law. Sanctioning the special scholarships should consider both academic ability of the scholar and his relation with the movement.