Comments on: A Letter to the Aspiring Western Student of Islam

By: Kirana

Kirana — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:47:04 +0000

6 & 7 are what really hits people who have never really interacted with other cultures/are monolingual, because it will be the first time they are REALLY hit with a different system of life, a different system of worldview, a different structure of getting things done. prior to the travel, the mind is so, so narrow.

I strongly advocate travel, especially for youth. Nothing is like actually leaving and going someplace else. abroad has to offer, the fact that it is abroad.

By: 2011 Year in Review: SuhaibWebb.com

2011 Year in Review: SuhaibWebb.com — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:49:22 +0000

[…] A Letter to the Aspiring Western Student of Islam by Shazia Ahmad Advice for those who dream of escaping from the rat race and empty materialism of modern, fast-food culture and traveling to a traditional land of Islam. […]

By: Your brother in Islam

Your brother in Islam — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:47:52 +0000

I really appreciate this sincere article you posted. As a young adult I do have a passion to study Islam abroad for the reasons of changing myself and become better spiritually. However, the points you made are points that I deeply reflect upon on a continuous basis. Now I have come to the point of even asking:

Why do we need westerners to study abroad? I have lost sense as to why the Muslims need “great big scholars” especially in the west when the issues here are debt, moon-sighting, theology, etc. Which is why I always ask students who study Islam why are you studying “Uloom ul Hadeeth” before studying what purifies the heart, the lives of the companions and the Prophets. I mean you got institutes to teach Arabic, memorize Quran, people to teach tafseer along with online universities. What does abroad have to offer that we are not offered here. If people go abroad to learn 10 Qira’at then my question is, how is this beneficial? Not undermining the science of tajweed but all one needs here is to learn Hafs ‘an ‘Aasim and master that. You are not going to have Qaris recite in warsh at masaajids during Ramadan.

Why do we need scholars from abroad, that is my question I like to ask. If there is a hole to be filled, then I would like to be amongst that fill it as Islamic studies and theology is one subject that interests me since I was young. But if what can be accomplished there can be accomplished here, then quite honestly it doesn’t make sense to go abroad unless it is for self-satisfaction.

Note: These are just my thoughts but I would really enjoy your input on the questions I have raised as I am still confused whether I should seek knowledge abroad or not. It has been my passion since I was young teenager so to get rid of that desire is very tough despite hearing the negatives countless times.

May Allah reward you immensely.
As Salam Alaikum

By: Me, Myself and Jihad. « SportyMuslimah

Me, Myself and Jihad. « SportyMuslimah — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:36:18 +0000

[…] Escaping from the materialism of the modern world. […]

By: Reality Check « onthepathofknowledge

Reality Check « onthepathofknowledge — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:19:57 +0000

[…] Reality Check 03 Oct As as Muslim living in the west, it becomes very easy to look at the Muslim world and the path of knowledge with rose tinted glasses. Many people have said to me “You must be having the time of your life in Egypt!”. In truth, its a real mixed bag and it has its highs and lows. My day is pretty much entirely dedicated to studying and old habits are hard to kick. The article below is a wonderfully written piece on the realities a student of knowledge must face. I recommend everyone thinking of studying abroad to read it! ———————————————————————————- (Taken from: http://www.virtualmosque.com/personaldvlpt/seeking-knowledge/a-letter-to-the-aspiring-western-student-o…) […]

By: Umm Anas

Umm Anas — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:36:14 +0000

Baarak Allahu Feeki.

By: HayatiKuluhaLilah

HayatiKuluhaLilah — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:27:54 +0000

Aslamu alaykum,,,,question;;; I was wondering is it better to follow a madhab or not. I’m personally thinking isn’t it better just not to because it’s opinions from great scholars but at the same time human who are ordained to being wrong . I’m a beginner in seeking knowledge but I find myself under the salafi category which is just going back to the past shahbas and so on which started from Abu bakr r.a Omar Uthman ali r.a .basically directly from the Quran and sunnah from the greatest of teachers our prophet saw)) is that a better approach ? And I was wondering since all the madhabs Hanbali hannifa Maliki shafi’ee have agreed upon 70 percent though have disagreed upon 30 is there a place or can an article be done to show the agreed fiqh and the disagreed upon fiqh? One more question the sunnah I’ve read that there different categories though forgot where and to write it down is the an article or app. That may state sunnah Definite muakadah ,permissible ,forbidden ,makruh my apologize if I stated something wrong or dosent make sence please correct me jazkum allah khare

By: Dwi

Dwi — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:26:31 +0000

salam, it is nice article :). i born as a muslim and i still learn about being a good moslem. May Allah give HIS blessing for us. Amien.

By: umm zain

umm zain — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:18:59 +0000

Masha’Allah : ) I too was reading this article saying “yes, yes, yes & YES!” I am currently living abroad, and came here with intentions to do several things, among which were to study Arabic, Quran and other Islamic sciences. I certainly didn’t find exactly what I expected, but Allah has given me exactly what I need, without a doubt. As “AbdulHaq” put it, you’ll grow in many ways you did not anticipate…
I am still just a wannabe student of the Students of Knowledge, and have many things to change about myself before I am truly ready for the Path…
What you said about having focus, himma, dedication, creativity & specializing in a field was particularly poignant for me. It’s something I think about often, but am unsure about, especially as a mother with MANY other plans and things on her plate. Is there someone we can email for counsel or advice in these matters??
And YES, I second the suggestion to have articles offering guidance for ppl who wish to study Islam in NA, both from “secular” institutions and Uni’s, and also from “home-grown” Muslim institutions, online or on the ground… Another thing we need to dispel is the notion that you actually HAVE TO go overseas to seek serious Islamic knowledge–in our day & time, we are seeing that notion being erased, alhamdu Lillah, and we are privy to see the budding of “organic, American” Islam, masha’Allah. Traveling for the culture, the language, the unique setting & teachers, and so on is good, but we don’t always utilize the great resources we have right there at home…

Jazak Allahu khairan for this blessing, and may Allah spread these words of wisdom far & wide!

By: Shazia Ahmad

Shazia Ahmad — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 08:31:08 +0000

In reply to Rami.

as salaamu alaykum Rami,

I think you should consider whether you are interested in a career in teaching Islam in some capacity (as an imam, chaplain, teacher, etc). If you’re not really interested in doing that, and desire to study more for personal benefit and practice, then I think it would be more pragmatic to continue your studies in another field and study Islam part-time. At the same time, realize that medicine is a very demanding field of study and one that will occupy much of your time, and require you to sacrifice when it comes to other things – so it is a huge commitment and one should consider that seriously.

There are many wonderful du’aat who have studied Islam and work in other fields, so it is possible (though I would think extremely challenging). Someone I think of immediately is Sh. Husain Abdul Sattar, who studied medicine and also teaches quite extensively in Chicago.

I would say make dua’ (specifically Salatul Istikhara) and consult with your family and people of knowledge that you trust and look up to, before making any big decisions.

May Allah guide you to the best decisions, that are khayr for you in this life and in the Hereafter, Ameen.

salaam,
Shazia