To the Students of Knowledge!

Institute of Islamic Sciences

February 3, 2006

By: Saadia Zainab Yunus

From: Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azîz Ibn Bâz Imaam 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn 'Abdillaah Baaz

Shaikh Abul-Hasan Al-Ma'ribe

Purity of Intention

Great excellence of the students of knowledge

Whoever corrects his intention in seeking knowledge and desires only His Face, he is on a road to salvation (from the Fire) and happiness (in Paradise).

"So whoever hopes for meeting his Lord, then let him do righteous deeds and not mix anyone (or thing) with the worship of His Lord" [Surah Al-Kahf:110 ].

Knowledge should be sought for the right reasons and for its implementation

The RIGHT Reasons:1. to be acquainted with His Deen

2. to have insight into what Allah has made incumbent upon her

3. to implement the knowledge into her life

4. to strive to take the people out of darkness and into the light

5. so she seeks knowledge and acts upon it

6. to teach others about the good that a Muslim is ordered to do

Student of Ilm should intend to…

1. Worship Allah by seeking knowledge of His Deen, seeking His Pleasure alone

2. Rid herself and others of ignorance, implementing what she learns without delay at every stage

3. Command all those around her to perform the obligations in Islam that she learns about, as she does them herself

4. Recommend all those around her to practice the recommended deeds in Islam that she learns about, as he does them herself

5. Discourage those around her from doing the disliked deeds in Islam that she learns about, as she avoids them herself

6. Forbid those around her from doing the prohibited deeds in Islam that she learns about, as she avoids them herself

7. Be patient with the harms that reach her because of this work

A Path to Paradise…

Every path that we take in search of knowledge is a way to Paradise This is true for every path, literal or otherwise Institute examples:

journey from our home to the masjid; going from Qur’an class to Hadeeth class going from one room to the othermemorizing, studying, reviewingwriting and taking notescalling our study buddies

A Proper Student of Ilm…

is concerned with all these paths that lead to knowledge…seeks these paths, desiring the Face of her Lord, the Mighty and the Majestic…wants to seek Allah's pleasure and a home in Paradise…wants to understand and reflect upon the Deen…wants to know what Allah has made incumbent upon her and what He has prohibited her from, then acts accordingly …wants to know her Lord with insight…wants to rescue people (from the Fire of Hell)…wants to be amongst the guided callers striving for the truth…wants to guide people to Allah through knowledge

So, wherever she turns, she is in great excellence with these correct intentions...

Being role models…

“...The student of knowledge should take great care about being lazy about what Allah has made obligatory and from falling into that which He has forbidden - for others will follow her in it.” If she becomes lazy, others will also become lazy. It is important that she takes care in encouraging the people to follow it and to be an example for them. She must keep away from the doubtful matters so that the people do not imitate her.The student of knowledge has great significance and the people of knowledge are the select few amongst creation. Upon them are obligations and responsibilities over and above everyone else. The Messenger (saw) said, "Everyone is a shepherd, and is responsible for his flock." [Bukhari] The people of knowledge are shepherds and guides. They should be concerned about society as it is their flock.

“Pinnacle of Knowledge”FEAR OF ALLAH

'Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud (R): "It is sufficient as knowledge that one fear Allah. And it is sufficient as ignorance that one is deceived about this." Some Salaf: "Whoever is the most knowledgeable about Allah, he is the most fearing of Him." Prophet (S): "As for me, by Allah, I am the most fearing of Allah amongst you and the most dutiful (having Taqwa) to Him amongst you." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Every time the servant's knowledge of Allah becomes strengthened means for perfection of her Taqwa and Ikhlaas……and her stopping at the limits (set by Allah), and her refraining from sinful acts"Verily, only those who fear Allah from His servants are the knowledgeable ones (i.e. the scholars)" [Surah Al-Faatir:28].

“Whoever Allah wants good for…”

Prophet (S): "Whoever Allah wants good for, He gives him understanding of the Religion.“ (Reported by

Bukhari & Muslim from Mu'awiyah (R)). For no other reason except that the understanding of the Religion will prompt the servant to establish Allah's Commandments, to fear Him, to carry out His obligations, and to stay away from those things that draw His displeasure. It will call him towards good manners and righteous actions and in being sincere to Allah and His servants.

Words of Advice from the scholars

1. Stay close to the people of knowledge: Allaah says: "So ask the people of knowledge when you do not know." [Surah Al-Anbiyaa:7]

2. Learn proper manners for seeking knowledge: Verily, if a man has been granted some knowledge, then it is binding on him to make that knowledge a way for him to become humble

3. Be in constant remembrance of Allah: "Remember Allaah with a great amount of remembrance!" [Surah Al-Ahzaab:41]

4. Be patient and persevere: Upon three main categories: Patience upon obedience, patience against disobedience, and patience through trials

5. Look for the gatherings that increase your Iman: Be warned about sitting in gatherings that cause your faith to diminish!

6. Wisdom, Understanding, Lenience: "If you had been severe and hard-hearted, they would have fled from you." [Surah Aali 'Imraan:159]

May Allah (SWT) increase us in knowledge and make the knowledge that we are gaining beneficial to us. May He (SWT) purify our intentions, accept our good deeds, and keep us

on the Straight Path…

Ameen