How to act during a lesson?

I wanted to write this article to remind myself and by brothers and sisters about manners that one should observe during an Islamic lesson. This is something that is very easy to forget at times as most of us have been raised up in the west and many of us have not travelled abroad and sat amongst the scholars and students of knowledge to observe and imitate their manners in classes. This is especially important for those brothers and sisters who are looking to seek in-depth knowledge of the Deen to become callers of Islam, serious students of knowledge, scholars or to become leaders. Having good manners opens many doors of goodness for a person; in fact it is reported in an authentic hadith that good manners will be something that will be very heavy on the Scales. Good manner is to deal with people as you like to be dealt with. Our discussion here will only deal with in-class manners.

Firstly; coming to the class early and not strolling in late.

This shows ones zeal, determination and enthusiasm for seeking knowledge. The Salaf always practiced this in their quest for knowledge.

‘Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hanbal narrated that he heard his father say: “Sometimes, I would want to go out early to hear hadith. So, my mother would grab my clothes, saying: “At least wait for the prayer to be called and the people to wake up.” I would go out early to the classes of Abu Bakr bin ‘Ayyash and others.”

However, if one cannot come on time or cannot attend the lesson then one should inform the teacher and apologise beforehand.

Secondly; greet everyone with the salam and one should greet the Sheikh or the teacher with extra attention and honor. One should come to class with best clothes and the best perfumes on. Also one should attend the classes fully equipped with a note pad and a luscious pen to write down the knowledge. The person should come to class in a state of wudu’ and be well groomed – all this will physiologically prepare for the intake of the knowledge. One must feel like a seeker of knowledge to become a student of knowledge.

Thirdly; sitting down properly.

How is this achieved? One should try to sit on the edge of the circles, avoid sitting too close or at the middle of the circle.

Imam az-Zarnooji said: “It further behooves the student not to sit too close to the teacher during a lecture except under necessity. In fact, it is important that the pupils sit in a semi-circle at a certain distance from the teacher; this is more appropriate [in showing] due respect.”

Al-Khatib (may Allah have Mercy on him) that Sufyan bin ‘Uyaynah said: “Ka’b was with ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, and he sat far from the circle. ‘Umar reprimanded him for this, and Ka’b said: “O Commander of the Believers! From the wisdoms of Luqman and his advices to his son are: “O son! If you sit next to the ruler, allow enough space for one man between you and him, as someone might come along who is more important to him than you, and would then have to get up and move, and this would be a form of degradation for you.”””

Muhammad Raslaan further clarifies this issue by saying, “He should not lean against a wall or pillow in the presence of his shaykh, or place his hands on them. He should not give his shaykh his side or back, and should not lean on his hand to the back or side... He should sit with humility and character in the manner of a student, not a teacher. He shouldn’t raise his voice often without a reason. Rather, he should sit in front of his teacher fully attentive and listening, and shouldn’t precede him in explaining or answering a question. And he shouldn’t make anyone get up from his spot, and if anyone takes his spot, he shouldn’t take it back unless there is some benefit in doing so. He shouldn’t sit in the middle of the circle unless there is a need for this, and he shouldn’t sit between two companions except with their permission...”

In addition to all these points, one should not sit whilst stretching his legs towards his teacher or his fellow students; this is not from good manners. Secondly, one should not sit or occupy the teacher’s seat which then forces the teacher to move elsewhere! If one is new to a circle, and the person does not know where the teacher normally sits – the person should ask his fellow students who have been attending before him to clarify this.

Fourthly; during the lesson itself.

Imam az-Zarnooji said: “And do not begin speaking in his presence without his permission, and do not speak to any great extent before him without his permission.”

Bakr Abu Zayd added: “Do not precede him in speech or in your steps, or talk excessively in his presence, and do not continually interrupt him while he is speaking or during his lecture. Do not continually pester him for an answer to your question and avoid extensive questioning especially in the presence of an audience, for indeed this attracts self-delusion [on your behalf] and [causes the sheikh] to become bored.”

The students should have the best manners in dealing with his fellow students and this itself is a manifestation of respect for the teacher and the class itself. The person should avoid getting angry, showing annoyance towards a fellow student, making jokes in the class and laughing loud and excessively. In the west, we are so costumed to these things in our everyday lives and thus we forget when we fall in to these things. All these things mar the relationship between that student and the teacher, and one is deprived of much good in his seeking knowledge.

Al-Khatib (may Allah have Mercy on him) reported that Ahmad bin Sinan al-Qattan said:“Nobody in the class of Abd ar-Rahman bin Mahdi would even speak, sharpen a pen, or smile. If he saw that someone spoke or sharpened a pen, he would get up, put on his shoes, and go home.”

‘Abd ar-Rahman bin ‘Umar said that a man laughed in the class of ‘Abd ar-Rahman bin Mahdi, and he asked: “Who laughed?” Everyone pointed to the man, and he scolded him: “You seek knowledge and laugh? I will not teach any of you for a month!”

Also, Waki’ and his students were as if they were in prayer during their classes, and if something happened in the class that annoyed him, he would put on his shoes and go home and Ibn Numayr would get angry and leave, and his face would change colour if he saw someone sharpening a pencil.

Imam az-Zarnooji further said: “In seeking knowledge, it is essential to listen to [words of] knowledge and wisdom with reverence and veneration, even if one hears the same question and same words a thousand times. It is said that when one’s respect [for knowledge] after [hearing it] a thousand times is not equal to his respect the first time [he heard it], he is not worthy of knowledge.”

Muhammad Raslaan wrote: “He should not precede the shaykh in explaining an issue, answering a question, or showing his knowledge of a matter before his shaykh. He should not cut him off in speech and then talk, and he shouldn’t speak with someone else while the shaykh is speaking to him or the class.”

So what we learn from all these statements is that one should take the seeking knowledge seriously; it is a serious matter – it is worship, some scholars said, “Knowledge is a secretive prayer and the worship of the heart.” One should constantly strive to shun the bad manners that have accumulated over the years. In doing so, it will help the person excel in knowledge, Insha-Allah.

Fifthly; asking questions in the class.

We have already touch upon this issue, asking questions and having dialogues is a great way to learn but there are times and place for it. During the class itself, one should avoid asking questions. The questions should be asked in its correct place, in doing so one should be soft and gentle in asking the correct questions. If one has a question, it should be just noted on the side to be asked after the class if the teacher permits it. One should also avoid asking questions when the teacher is tired or when is in a hurry. The teacher may not refuse to answer a question or a request even though the teacher may be tired or busy, but this will certainly cause annoyance to the teacher – which one should definitely avoid! One should generally avoid asking for things or requests during the class from the teachers as this may put the teacher in inconvenience.

If the teacher asks, ‘Did you understand this issue?’ – The person should not say, ‘Yes!’ unless he has actually understood the issue at hand. The person should not be shy from saying, ‘I don’t know.’ or ‘I don’t understand.’ if he did not understand it. This is the time when a person should speak because the teacher has asked him a question. The fellow students should be patients if they have understood the issue.

Mujahid (may Allah have Mercy on him) said: “Nobody who is either too shy or too arrogant will learn this knowledge.”

‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “How excellent are the women of the Ansar! They did not let their shyness prevent them from learning the Religion.”

Al-Khalil bin Ahmad (may Allah have Mercy on him) said: “The station of ignorance is between shyness and arrogance.”

Finally; departing from the class.

One should leave the class after the teacher has permitted this. If he needs to leave before the class ends, he should inform the teacher beforehand. If he needs to leave during lesson, he should apologise and seek the teacher permission before departing, i.e. ‘I seek your permission to leave Sheikh.’ Before leaving, one should greet the teacher and make a du’a for him, i.e. ‘Jazakumullah Khair...’ and make his way after greeting the fellow students.

We will end with a comprehensive statement from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) which summarises what has come before.

‘Ali (may Allah be Pleased with him) said: “From the rights of the scholar are that you greet the gathering and then greet the shaykh specifically; you should sit in front of him; you should not point here and there, wink, etc. in front of him; do not come out and tell him that fulan differs with him in a given matter; do not backbite anybody in his presence; and do not ask him intricate and complicated questions. If he makes a mistake, make an excuse for him, and it is upon you to honor him for the Sake of Allah, the Exalted. If he needs something, you should be the first to tend to his need; do not attract attention in his circle; do not grab his clothing; do not insist on something if he is too tired; do not think that you can have enough of his friendship, as he is like the palm tree from which you wait for something to fall on you.”

And Allah (SWT) knows best. Abu Siyaam.

The Enjoyment of studying Fiqh!

I still remember when a brother once upon a time told me to start attending a fiqh class that was about to start in our local area. I had no idea what the word ‘fiqh’ even meant then, and I still remember asking that brother, “What is fiqh akhee?” Certainly, never did I imagine back then that I would really love and appreciate this Islamic science, which I never knew or even heard about previously! All praise is for Allah (SWT), Who guides and teaches us.

Undeniably, studying and understanding the knowledge of the Deen is a lofty station. Knowing one’s Deen is definitely a sign of goodness, something which is loved by Allah (SWT). It is reported in an authentic hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “If Allah wants good for a person He gives him fiqh [understanding] of the Religion.” [al-Bukhari]. The opposite is also true; there is a weak hadith which states that, “Whoever does not learn the fiqh of his Deen, Allah does not care about him...” – this hadith is weak but the meaning is correct. This means that the reverse understanding [maf’hoom] of the authentic hadith of al-Bukhari is this weak hadith, i.e. “Whoever does not learn the fiqh of his Deen, Allah does not care about him...” Generally learning and studying fiqh is a towering post, it is nobility, it leads to taqwa of Allah (SWT) – in this light, one of the pillars of the Hanafi School, Imam Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybaane said:

“Learn! For learning is an adornment for one who possesses it, a virtue and a prelude to every praiseworthy action. Profit each day by increasing [your] learning and swimming in the seas of beneficial knowledge. Give yourself up to the study of jurisprudence [fiqh], for the knowledge of jurisprudence [fiqh] is the best guide to piety and the fear of God, and it is the straight path to the ultimate goal. It is the milestone leading to the ways of proper guidance; it is the fortress that saves [one] from all hardship. Indeed one godly person versed in jurisprudence [fiqh] is more powerful against Satan than a thousand [ordinary] worshippers.”

What a profound and an insightful statement this is! The asl of this statement is actually from a hadith attributed to the Prophet (pbuh). So many benefits can be derived from this, and it shows us the importance and virtues of fiqh. It is rather sad to hear sometimes from people, when they make statements about fiqh that are not praiseworthy in itself, such as: “Fiqh does not increase my emaan!” or they may say, “Fiqh is a bit dry to study!” Perhaps, these statements are made because of certain preventing factors, which prevent the person form attaining the benefits of studying fiqh.

So what is fiqh? Az-Zarnooji said, “Jurisprudence [fiqh] is the science of the fine points of knowledge.” Furthermore Imam Abu Hanifa said, “Jurisprudence is a person’s knowledge of his rights and duties.” Attaining the fiqh of the Deen is not just praiseworthy action but it required from everyone to some degree.

For one to attain the fruits of his action, one must know how to perform that action well. Similarly, it is not reasonable for one to worship Allah (SWT), by which, one prevents himself from entering Hell-Fire and attains admittance into Paradise – except through having knowledge. So to perform an act of worship perfectly, one must learn and understand that which leads to the perfection of that particular act of worship. Also we should mention here, that the only thing Allah (SWT) commanded the Prophet (pbuh) to invoke Him for more is knowledge; Allah (SWT) said, “...And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge...” [Taa-Haa: Verse 114]. Ibn Hajar commented on this verse, and said: “...And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge...” is a clear indication of the merit and the excellence of knowledge, for Allah never commanded His Prophet (pbuh) to invoke Him for more of anything other than knowledge.”

Comprehension of the Deen is important as it leads to useful knowledge upon which righteous actions depend. It is one of qualities of the seekers of knowledge to gain understanding of Islam by deriving the issues of fiqh by applying the [comprehensive] principles. This takes much exercise and by immersing oneself in the sea of knowledge under the supervision of the scholars; behind knowledge of the deen is gaining understanding. Gaining of understanding; regarding this, Bakr Abu Zayd said, “It is this characteristic in particular that gives you precise distinction and the correct gauge as to the extent of your acquisition [of knowledge], and the ability to derive [rulings]...”

We will end with a few of the many personal benefits that were attained from studying fiqh with a teacher who loves to teach fiqh also:

Having confidence, that the action performed was done in the best way and Insha-Allah it will be accepted.

It drives a person to keep away from performing an act heedlessly.

It gives tranquillity in the heart; free from satanic whispers and doubts.

Having hope that we are amongst the people that Allah (SWT) loves and not be among those people Allah (SWT) does not care about.

The understanding gives one the confidence to teach and help others.

The fiqh shows the great wisdoms behind the Shar’iah.

The One Who legislated the Shar’iah is Al-Aleem Al-Haakim [All-Knowing and All-Wise] about His creatures.

Fiqh actually increases one’s emaan! This especially occurs when a teacher can inter-link the fiqhi rulings with Allah (SWT), the ‘Aims of the Shar’iah’ and etc.

If the teacher has a passion for a subject, it derives the students to love that subject also.

It prevents one from thinking in ‘black and white’, anti-Dhahiri!!!

It gives one more of a dynamic mind frame.

Fiqh leads to learning of more detailed fiqh; it is never-ending.

Finally, to some extent, it starts to makes one wiser in the way one views things and one starts to attain some wisdom.

Subhan-Allah! Even the ways the classic fiqh books are arranged are full of wisdom. Initially, we start to study the ‘The Book of Purification’ as this is a pre-requisite for what comes next, ‘The Book of Prayers’, which is followed by the other acts of ibaadah. Mu’amalat [transactions] is studied after ibaadah – as it is ‘need’ for one to know about these matters, it is required in our daily lives. The fiqh books are arranged in such a manner that it is like a ‘process of life’ from the beginning to the end of the book. Straight after ibaadah, one studies ‘The Book of Trade’– which is a ‘need’ for our living, following this, comes ‘The Book of Marriage’, once we know about buying and selling we are able to move on to marriage because without the knowledge buying and selling we cannot deal with marriage. The fiqh books are arranged in this manner with wisdom. One scholar may vary from another scholar.

In conclusion, there is a lot of goodness in learning fiqh; one should immerse himself in the study of fiqh. It allows a person to build in ones deen and allows one organise his deen and dunya like the beads of a necklace. And Allah (SWT) knows best.

Abu Siyaam

How the Salaf dealt with their teachers?

Al-Hamdulilla! We all witness in our land that the circles of knowledge’s are flourishing. And you see that the youth has the yearning to quench their thirsts from the ‘pools of knowledge’. Not long ago here in London, people did not have this zeal and awakening for attaining deep Islamic knowledge. Indeed this high aspiration in knowledge is a praiseworthy thing in Islam, in fact having high aspirations is one of the characteristics of Islam. This Islamic awakening is one of the bounties from Allah (SWT). I recall not long a ago, many of the brothers and sisters who were practicing then, used to attend talks and seminars which would at most, last a day or so but nowadays the way of passing and attaining knowledge has definitely changed in my opinion.

Nowadays, we have many circles of knowledge on a daily basis with the increased numbers of shaykh’s, ustatad’s, institutions etc. Also nowadays we witness that, rather than having just talks and reminders on a one-off occasion, on particular issues – the carriers of knowledge are teaching classical books that were studied systematically by the Salaf. So often, you would find that a teacher would start a classical text and try to finish it page by page – even if takes a year or so. Indeed scholars of the past have laid down the methodology of seeking knowledge and its levels. It is always essential to ground oneself in every subject by perfecting its basis and perfecting a concise book with a shaykh. And it is just amazing to see that this is actually happening in London – in the hearth of kufr and shirk.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a beginner seeker of knowledge would study the following books in the following subjects: ‘Al-Usool ath-Thalaathah’ in Tawheel al-Uloohiyyah, ‘Al-Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah’ in Tawheed Al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat, ‘Al-Arba’een-Nawawiyyah’ in Hadith, ‘Nukbatul-Fiqr’ in Science of Hadith, ‘Umdatul-Fiqh or ‘Zaad ul-Mustaqni’ in Fiqh, ‘Al-Waraqaat’ in Principles of Fiqh and ‘Al-Aajuroomiyyah’ in Arabic grammar – in this manner they would seek knowledge there.

Subhan-Allah, nowadays these few mentioned books for the beginners have been witnessed being taught in London also, so you see the students rushing from one circle to another, discussing, inter-mingling with the shaykh’s and students of knowledge’s etc. This is truly a bounty from the Lord of the Worlds – Who wanted this for us here in London. Books that are even higher than those mentioned above are also being taught, this all really due to awakening for the thirst for knowledge and the teacher’s eagerness to pass on the knowledge, and to Allah (SWT) belongs All-Praise.

Knowing all this; how Allah (SWT) has blessed us for giving this awakening, for pursuing this noble path, for allowing us to go out of our ways to attain the gems – we must realize and build within ourselves some ‘pre-requisites’ before and during in our roadmap to seeking knowledge. Without such ‘pre-requisites’ one would definitely be heading to the path of destruction.

Indeed it is Allah (SWT), Al-Aleem Al-Kareem – who teaches us all that we know. If Allah (SWT) did not want us to know something, we would not know that issue. Indeed, Allah (SWT) has made the scholars the inheritors of the prophets. They are the means, through them Allah (SWT) brings out the people from the darkness into the light, through them the individual is purified, through them societies are reformed. It is a must upon us to take into consideration the scholar’s status for indeed it is the token of success, acquisition and prosperity as mentioned by Sheikh Bakr Abu Zayd (ra). For one to be truly successful in this path – one should make their teacher an object of reverence, honour, appreciation and courtesy. Unfortunately, this is lacked much in London and the West in general – what we want do here is to quote some amazing statements from the Salaf about how they were towards their teachers – to give us an insight. Through theirs manners, they became who they were. May Allah (SWT) make us from amongst them! Ameen!

Abdullah bin al-Mubarak said: “I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge.”

Ash-Sha’bi (may Allah have Mercy on him) said: “Zayd bin Thabit prayed a funeral prayer. A mule was then brought for him to ride away on, and Ibn ‘Abbas came and took hold of its reigns to lead him away. So, Zayd said to him: “Let go of it, O cousin of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).” Ibn ‘Abbas said: “This is how we were commanded to treat the scholars!””

Ayyub said: “A man would sit with al-Hasan for three years and not ask him anything out of awe and respect for him.”

Ishaq ash-Shahidi said: “I would see Yahya al-Qattan praying ‘Asr. He would then lean on the base of the mosque’s minaret, and standing in front of him would be ‘Ali bin al-Madini, ash-Shadhakuni, ‘Amr bin ‘Ali, Ahmad bin Hambal, Yahya bin Ma’in, etc. – all asking him about Hadith while they were standing up. This would go on until the Maghrib prayer, and he would not offer any of them to sit, and none of them would sit out of awe and respect of him.”

‘Abd ar-Rahman bin Harmalah al-Aslami said: “Nobody dared to ask Sa’id bin al-Musayyab about anything until he would seek his permission, just as the ruler’s permission is sought for something.”

Ash-Shafi’i (may Allah be Pleased with him) was criticized for his humility to the scholars, and he said: “I humble myself to them, and they honor me. And you will not be honored unless you humble yourself.”

Ahmad bin Hanbal (may Allah be Pleased with him) said to Khalaf al-Ahmar (may Allah have Mercy on him) : “I will not sit except between your hands. We were commanded to be humble to those we learn from.”

And ash-Shafi’i (may Allah have Mercy on him) said: “I would turn the pages of my books in front of Malik (may Allah have Mercy on him) in a very soft, quiet way so that he wouldn’t be bothered by its noise, out of respect for him.”

Dealing With a Harsh Teacher:

Ash-Shafi’i said: “Two men used to visit al-A’mash. One of them was interested in Hadith, and the other was not. So, one day al-A’mash got mad at the one who was interested in Hadith. The other man said: “If he got mad at me the way he did at you, I wouldn’t come back to him.” So, al-A’mash said: “Therefore, he is an idiot like you. He leaves what will benefit him due to my bad manners.”

Ibn Jama’ah (may Allah have Mercy on him) said: “The seeker of knowledge should withstand his teacher’s harshness and bad treatment, and this should not turn him away from him. He should give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to any bad actions on his part, and should respond to any harshness from his shaykh by apologizing himself, repenting to Allah, seeking His Forgiveness, and placing the blame on himself. This will preserve his love for this shaykh, will protect his heart, and is more beneficial for the student in this life and the next.”

Some of the Salaf said: “Whoever is not patient upon the humiliation of learning will spend the rest of his life in the blindness of the ignorant, and whoever is patient upon it will spend this life and the next in a state of honor.”

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be Pleased with him): “I humbled myself as a student. So, I became honorable as a teacher.”

Ibn Jurayj said: “I did not gain what I gained from ‘Ata’ except with my softness with him.”

Visiting the Teacher:

And Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be Pleased with him) said: “I found most of the knowledge of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in this neighborhood of the Ansar. I would wait at the door of one of them, and if I wanted permission to enter, I would’ve gotten it. However, I wanted him to be pleasant when meeting me.”

And Sufyan bin ‘Uyaynah narrated that Abu al-Husayn said: “Ibn ‘Abbas used to go to one of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), seeking to ask him about Hadith. It would be said to him: ‘He is asleep.’ So, he would lay down in front of his door waiting for him, and it would be said to him: ‘Do you want me to wake him up?’ He would say: “No.”

And Ma’mar narrated that az-Zuhri said: “If I came to ‘Urwah’s door, I could’ve entered if I wanted to. However, I would sit outside and wait out of respect for him.”

‘Ali (may Allah be Pleased with him) said: “From the rights of the scholar are that you greet the gathering and then greet the shaykh specifically; you should sit in front of him; you should not point here and there, wink, etc. in front of him; do not come out and tell him that fulan differs with him in a given matter; do not backbite anybody in his presence; and do not ask him intricate and complicated questions. If he makes a mistake, make an excuse for him, and it is upon you to honor him for the Sake of Allah, the Exalted. If he needs something, you should be the first to tend to his need; do not attract attention in his circle; do not grab his clothing; do not insist on something if he is too tired; do not think that you can have enough of his friendship, as he is like the palm tree from which you wait form something to fall on you.”

Ahmad bin Sinan al-Qattan said: “Nobody in the class of Abd ar-Rahman bin Mahdi would even speak, sharpen a pen, or smile. If he saw that someone spoke or sharpened a pen, he would get up, put on his shoes, and go home.”

And ‘Abd ar-Rahman bin ‘Umar said that a man laughed in the class of ‘Abd ar-Rahman bin Mahdi, and he asked: “Who laughed?” Everyone pointed to the man, and he scolded him: “You seek knowledge and laugh? I will not teach any of you for a month!”

As you can notice my dear brothers and sisters, the Salaf had great deal of respect for their teachers – which we should emulate to be successful on the roadmap to knowledge. And Allah knows best.

Abu Siyaam [written in Taiz, Yemen]

Patience in Hardship and Seeking Knowledge

• ‘Hardship’ is a Friend

At times it will be very difficult to worship Allah (SWT). Doing haram and worshipping the Satan is very easy. ‘Hardship’ is a friend who will escort you to Jannah.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “When Allah (SWT) created Paradise, He told Jibreel (as), ‘Go and look at it.’ So he went and looked at it, then came back and said: ‘By Your Glory, no one will hear of it but will be eager to enter it.’ So He (SWT) surrounded it with hardship and said: ‘Go and look at it.’ So he went and looked at it, then he came back and said: ‘By Your Glory, I fear no one will enter it...’”

Reported by Nasa’i, Trimidhi and Abu Dawud

The dunya has been made like a prison. We are very restricted, not free, can not talk to anyone – it is just like a prison. Indeed the Prophet (pbuh) spoke the truth when he said: ‘Dunya is a prison for the believers…’ If the dunya is a prison, we should be ready to endure the hardship with patience. No matter how hard it may get, as long as one knows the secret of all secrets, Insah-Allah they will succeed. This is where the secret lies – when someone knows the purpose of their life. The salaf truly understood this; one of them described how he dealt with trials:

“I thank Allah (SWT) for four reasons…

1) For a more severe trial has not come upon me.

2) For allowing me to be patience

3) For allowing me to attain some reward for my patience

4) For not allowing this trial to come between me and my Religion…”

Ibn Taymiyyah also said: “The real prisoner is some one whose heart is imprisoned from his Lord; the true captive is someone captured by his passion.”

So just remember, no matter how hard it gets, the relief is near and ‘hardship’ is a companion of those on the Straight Path.

• Seeking Knowledge is a Lonely Path

People who have depth of Knowledge – Allah (SWT) praise them.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever follows a path to seek Knowledge therein, Allah (SWT) will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the house of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, but tranquility and peace descends upon them, mercy envelops them and Allah (SWT) makes mention of them amongst those who are with Him…”

Reported by Muslim

There are levels of knowledge; you have ‘surface knowledge’ and then it goes deeper and deeper. It is never ending like the ocean – wide, big, huge and deep. The deeper you go, the more breath you need, and more you have to strive, the more you have to be patient – it becomes dark and then you find the jewels! It is a lonely path where you are by your self. No one to cry to except your pillows or your books! No one to talk to, every seconds feels like and hour. It is a lonely path but and honorable one in the sight of Allah (SWT). The Knowledge is so vast, no one can grasp it, no one can say: ‘I have grasped it!’

To gain the light of Allah (SWT), you need to deserve this light, you will not deserve this light if you do not respect who carries this light. One should respect the knowledge, respect the People of knowledge and respect the place of knowledge. Feel like a student of knowledge and you will become a student of knowledge, the struggle for the Knowledge found the best of the people. When knowledge is given – it is like wahy; do not turn your back from this path while people are searching for the Truth. Everything comes through knowledge; seek until death [yakeen] comes. When the Truth comes, hold on to it with firmness. In this time and place, it is indeed hard to practice your Deen but know my brothers that when someone practices in Jahaliiyyah – they are higher in rank than the one ho practices Deen once Jahaliyyah has been removed. The best of you in Jahaliyyah are the best of you in Islam – that is, if you seek the Knowledge. May Allah (SWT) make us patience on this path! I will end with a fawaid:

“…Do not worship the action, but worship Allah (SWT) through the action and do not look at the test but look at the One Who the test is from…”