A reply by the founder of Deoband, Hujjat-ul-Islam Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi (may Allah illuminate his grave), has been quoted in the book "Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi - Hayat aur Karname" (Life and Achievements), which someone had asked regarding contemporary (modern) education. The answer is worthy of deep reflection. The question was: "Why is contemporary science/education not taught in Deoband?"

"We cannot make someone 'half partridge and half quail' (a jack of all trades and master of none). The result of a mixed education of both types of knowledge will be that the student will not be able to achieve perfection in any field or art; neither will they acquire modern knowledge nor ancient knowledge."

(Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi - Hayat aur Karname, p. 162)