The etiquettes of seeking knowledge from Adab al-Alim wal-Mutaalim
On scholars
The science of hadith
A Leaf’s Tale When a leaf falls As I was walking on one autumnal day, an old oak tree shed a leaf. The leaf caught my attention as it fell, just then, a gust of wind blew across the courtyard, catching the leaf in its path. It turned and twirled as it drifted in the wind before…
Everyone is in search of happiness… Where to find happiness? To find peace turn to your Lord, for He is the Source of peace, To find happiness, orientate yourself to your purpose. Happiness is the solace that is derived from being in harmony with the truth. Search for it within, deep within, there you will…
The Benefits of Dhikr Simple dhikr is a powerful tool. Light on the tongue but heavy on the scales. My servant continues to draw near to Me with optional works so that I will love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand…
Envy – the Destroyer of Contentment Ill effects of envy on society Envy is said to be the roots of many diseases of the heart, originally displayed by the accursed Shai’tan. It shows up time and again in many of the social ills we have prevalent in our society like tale bearing, backbiting, slander, hatred,…
Boost Your Imaan How can we increase in our spiritual state? What are the keys to finding tranquility? What strengthens imaan? Here are five steps which will bring you closer to Allah when you carry them out with sincerity: You must always be aware that Allah is watching you, in the open and even more…
Study Tips Organising Time Imam Al-Ghazali, in his great work, ‘Ihya Ulum ad-Din’ gives the following advice on structuring your daily life: You should structure your time, arrange your regular devotion and assign to each function a set period of time during which it is given first priority but which it does not overstep. For…
Time isn’t money. Time is more than that… Time is money in the West. From an Islamic perspective, time is life. Time is the substance of life, the sphere in which man exists, the fortress of his spirit. Life is more valuable than money. With every passing second and every passing breath, we are losing…
Thirst and Ambition to Seek Knowledge Knowledge is a vast ocean, and the seeker will never attain all of it. You should not be frustrated by the little you know, however this should not make you become lazy by being content with the little you do know. Have the desire to learn, starting with the…
Sincerity and purity are interwoven. Purity of intention leads to sincerity in one’s action, and sincerity in action will in turn bring further purity of the heart. The student must be sincere to himself and to his Lord when seeking knowledge. Since seeking knowledge is an act of worship and as stated in earlier in…
‘Everything has a fruit, and the fruit of knowledge is being closer to Allah’. Rabi’ah al Adawiyya; great female scholar once said this, and a poet once commented that if you have impurities in your heart then the seed of imaan and Islam will never grow toward excellence (ihsan). Rather than utilising the shade of this tree of knowledge…
How to Get the Best from Students Islam has placed a burden of responsibility on the shoulder of all people, from none may be excused. The Prophet (peace be on him) of Allah said: ‘Each one of you is a shepherd (trustee) and each of you is responsible for his flock (that which is entrusted…
Keeping the Audience Engaged Space out Lessons, Lectures and Circles The gathering of knowledge should not be every day because this will cause the student of knowledge to become weary. It was recorded in Bukhari Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud used to give a sermon to the people on every Thursday. A man said to Abdullah Ibn…
A scholar must be aware of the reality in order to give rulings specific to locations, times and the reality of people.
Knowing the Limits of your Knowledge Knowledge is a trust; the one who has knowledge should not betray what Allah has entrusted him with. A teacher should not deceive or misguide his student by giving them wrong information or the wrong advice or even give advice where he does not have adequate knowledge. Deep knowledge…
Why So Sad? O you who believe, do not be down-beat or in a state of despair. Allah fashioned you with His own Two Hands. He made you, but He is not in need of you, rather, it is you who is inherently, inseparably and intricately in need of Him. He created you because He is…