Posted Mar 25, 2010 by Aboo Thaabit with 48 Comments
In our times seeking knowledge seems to have become something only for men, women’s chores involve cooking food and producing children.
This has led to the frustration of many teenage girls, specially in the west. They might have great ambitions in seeking knowledge and teaching it to others, and it is mainly for these sisters I decided to post this.
First of all people have to realise that seeking knowledge is not a glamorous thing to do, I realise that in our time it has sometimes come across as something popular to do, reading about different stories maybe on this blog or other places you think wow I want that too! But truth be told, the nitty-gritty bits or behind the scene stuff is very hard to say the least.
Seeking knowledge full-time, is not something for everyone, can you really manage sitting for a few hours just repeating and memorizing or reading arabic grammar books over and over again? Some of you might think yes of course I love Islaam! But when it comes to studying Islaam a lot of people seem to be able to talk the talk without any action.
Ask yourself dear sister, how much Qur’aan have you actually memorised? You might be in your late teens or early twenties, do you actually take time out and look for study circles? Be it in your local masjid or the neighbouring masjids.
Many people tell themselves, if only I had a chance to study abroad I would have sat in the masjid twenty-four hours a day and studied and studied. But truth be told, if you aren’t a good student in Toronto [as an example] chances are you wont change much in Madeenah.
I do not mean to demoralise my sisters by saying this, all I wish to do is to make them realise that they have to be serious, and if you show Allah your sincerity in this then He will surely aid you.
Having said that, the main issue that stands between sisters and seeking knowledge is that they do not have any mahram to travel with and seek knowledge.
Or that they might have a mahram but that person would never want to travel with them to some dry humid country just for her to read some “silly” books, you can study Islaam here, they will most likely tell you.
And to be quite frank there is no real way of getting around this, since it is a law put down by Allah Himself, and if you start your quest for knowledge by going against a command of Allah then there will most likely not be any blessings at all in that search.
My best suggestions to young sisters, is to try to get married to a brother who share their views and is equally serious about seeking knowledge, or marry a brother who is already seeking knowledge.
The other option is for you to try to convince your brother or maybe even uncle or any other mahram to help you.
The next problem usually is, ok but where do I go and study? Here is a very rough list for places to go and seek knowledge inshAllah:
Saudi Arabia:
This is without doubt the best place in our time to seek knowledge. It is good in that it will teach you the right Aqeedah and Manhaj and plus it has universities that give away scholarships to students.
The University of Madeenah is opening up a branch for sisters soon and this will be for the wives of students providing them with an opportunity to study.
The University of Makkah, Ummul Qurra already has a branch for women, which enables both husband and wife to study side by side.
Then there is the new University called Nourah bint ‘Abdirahmaan, this university is for women and they accept international students aswell.
One of the main conditions is that the female has a mahram residing in Riyadh.
Yemen:
I would not advice sisters to travel there at the moment, since there is a big security risk with battles being fought against Shi’as etc.
Also life generally is rougher there. The government usually give foreigners abit of a tough time, and ask questions etc, but if you are originally Yemeni or Somali, this is a good place since you will be able to blend in with the population easily.
Places to study are many, there is the famous Dammaj which was founded by Shaykh Muqbil rahimahullah. There is also places in Macbar where you can learn the basics of Islaam and memorise Qur’aan etc.
But again the situation is not stable in Yemen at the moment.
Egypt:
This country is mainly good for two things, when it comes to the arabic language and memorizing Qur’aan. The Egyptians are very good in both these fields.
It is also good in that it provides flexibility for people to come and study. The people in Egypt are very friendly and welcoming, and a person usually picks up the language quickly.
The main places for studying are in Cairo, al-Ibaanah is a good institute which will teach you arabic and islamic subjects.
There is al-Fajr institute which has grown very big recently which teaches a similar syllabus. In Cairo you will find many different institutes and it is up to you to pick which one suites you the best, all of these institutes cost money.
There is a place up in the north, qortoba institute I have heard good things about it but I am not sure if they provide services for females. You can read more about them here http://www.qortoba.net/
Pakistan/India:
This wouldn’t be very ideal for non Pakistanis or non Indians, since the circumstance in Pakistan has changed dramatically within the past few years.
However if you happen to be Pakistani or Indian it might be something worth looking into.
Mauritania:
This is really not a place for westerners to go, let alone women. Life is very tough here and students are required to be very tough and serious.
To make your way there you will have to have contacts and know which Shaykhs to study underneath and which ones to avoid.
These are few of the places that comes to mind, if other people have places I have over looked please feel free to add them through the comments on the blog.
Asalamu-alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!
JazakAllah khair akhi! Much needed advice!
JazakAllah khair for taking the time to write this for our sisters. I just realized now an advantage of a sister getting married, so that she’ll be able to study under Allah’s blessing! JazakAllah khair for that.
baarakAllah feeka brother, I felt that sisters are often neglected. It is a very rough and brief post but inshAllah it will shed a little light on the matter bithnilAllah!
Jazaak Allahu khayran brother for this short yet beneficial post.
I have to agree 110% with you that seeking knowledge is quite difficult and not as glamorous as we think. I’ve been in Egypt for the past 5 months or so with my brother and sister and subhanAllah, it’s been a wakeup call. I’ve come to realize that we so-called “students” in the West are quite spoiled and being here has been a humbling experience. I actually believe that Egypt is an easier transition than somewhere like Saudi (I’ve been there before). May Allah accept our deeds.
Another advice I’d offer sisters is to make loads of Duaa. Allah opens doors for you that you could have never imagined, so don’t ever lose hope. Your Rabb is Rahmanur Raheem.
Also sisters, take *full advantage* of the resources we have back home. Alhamdulillah the US, Canada, and especially the UK are flourishing with places to study, qualified teachers and if you cannot study in person, there are many online schools/classes. Studying overseas is great, but it’s not the only option. I was able to learn quite a bit of Arabic back home alhamdulillah and it gave me a head start here.
May Allah guide us to what is good and make our hearts firm upon the truth.
baarakAllah feeki sister, you have spoken the truth and added great value to this post may Allah reward you! May I ask? What are the things that you liked or disliked in egypt?
wa feeka barak Allah.
I wasn’t too keen on coming to Egypt as I heard many horrible stories before but subhanAllah, I truly love it here and thank Allah for guiding me.
I think likes and dislikes are based on the person for the most part. I realized that after coming here as well as from the advice of a good friend of mine (fajr.wordpress.com)who said that when you come to Egypt looking for good, that is what you will find and focus on. You will see many things here that rub you the wrong way since we grew up in a different culture, but subhanAllah, Fajr was right…I don’t tend to notice them anymore and I focus on the good.
Likes:
-the masajid/adhan. You hear more than one jumu’ah khutbah from your apartment.
-Many of the people have an amazing relationship with the Qur’an, I really really love this. Taxi drivers, random people sitting on the street, they’re always reading or listening to the Qur’an.
-the people here like you mentioned are very friendly and welcoming.
-very qualified and excellent teachers if you go to the right institutes.
-pretty easy transportation system when you get used to it.
-cost of living/food etc is quite cheap.
-many foreign students here so you can find some good friends.
-easy access to just about anything. We bought some birds here to keep as pets, we have a good internet connection, supermarket and pharmacy and restaurants will deliver for you..Alhamdulilah it makes it very easy.
-very simple living. It makes the student more aware of wasting things and buying/using things they don’t need. For example, there are no dryers or dishwashers and many other luxuries we are used to in the West.
-Covered people. Alhamdulillah, this is such an ease on the eyes. Yes you may see a few women without hijab or tighter clothes, but you will not see the nakedness we see back home.
-The resources/accommodations for women. I’ve been to Saudi and I have friends whose husbands attend Madinah and they have a hard time finding suitable teachers/classes. There are many excellent Qur’an institutes here just for women, as well as qualified teachers at the institutes.
-You will be forced to speak here so your Arabic will get better very quickly.
-Books, books and more books! The book fair in January was just amazing!
Dislikes:
-The culture takes some getting used to, especially if you get grossed out easily. (lol)Lot of spitting, smoking, garbage, and dirty places.
-Punctuality. Some teachers don’t have this issue but many of them will be late or cancel class without telling you. This is not really a dislike but again, something to just get used to. It increases you in patience.
-Weather/Pollution and crowded/noisy. This is specifically for Cairo, where I am, but I know in Alexandria it is much less polluted and crowded. It may be difficult for students with allergies etc to bear the weather/pollution. You may experience migraines from the dust but if you switch your class time to the morning, inshaAllah you won’t have to deal with it. The noise is another thing. For example, every morning the school next to us plays the Egyptian anthem with a band and it’s very loud. People constantly honk, others will blast Arabic music. You get used to it after a bit, but it can get unbearable at times.
-Some Marakiz only want your money and you may get ripped off big time. I hate to say this but it is true and it happens very often. This is why students shouldn’t rely on websites or anything when selecting a school here but rather they should make that decision once they get here and can visit each location. One school for example is very famous but they do not teach their students very well and pass them just so they can move to the next level and pay. It’s quite sad subhanAllah.
-The biggest ‘disappointment’ for me is that there aren’t many Islamic studies classes or institutes that cater to foreigners. The ones that are available teach in Amiyah so the foreign students who know Fusha cannot really benefit. I was really hoping to take some Tafseer and Hadeeth classes while here but I have not found any yet and after looking for a few months, I’ve given up my search.
Again this is just from my perspective, this is all I can think of right now..I’m sure there are many more. Please excuse any typos/grammatical errors, I wrote this very quickly!
and Allah ta’ala knows best.
subhanah Alaah sis
as salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh:
please if you are on paltalk or wiziq please send me an im I am ummmakkah on both. i would really like to talk to you. may Allah reward you amin
barakallah feek for the good advice
ukhti fillaah
umm makkah sakinah
i meant to say barkallaah feeki
Studying in Mauritania:
http://a.blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip.tv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F1724378%3Freferrer%3Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fforums.islamicawakening.com%25252Ff20%25252Fstudying-mauritania-isnt-all-sufi-watch-33341%25252F%26source%3D3&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip.tv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer.swf&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fthefiks.blip.tv%2Frss%2Fflash&brandname=FIKS&brandlink=www.thefiks.org&enablejs=true&lightcolor=0xFFFFFF&backcolor=0×000000&tabType3=none&tabType1=details&tabTitle1=About&tabType2=none&showsharebutton=false&showmorebutton=false&useoldendcap=true
Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Jazak’Allahu khayran for this beneficial post!
MaashaAllah to sister amatullah….I am looking into Egypt to study arabic and possibly some quraan/tajweed in the summer inshaAllah. Do you know of any classes for english-speaking students to study qur’an in the weekends? Also I have a few questions to ask.. 1) Do students study in groups or privately 2) Is there segregation in the arabic institutes such as al fajr? 3)it would be extremely helpful if you could state prices of apartments (1bed). May Allah make your search for knowledge easy an keep you steadfast and may you benefit from what you are studying aameen.
BarakAllaahu feek.
wa alaykum salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu Umm Maryam,
may Allah ta’ala guide you to what is best.
hmm I don’t take any English classes but one of my friends was saying how at Ibanah, her teacher speaks English.
There is segregation in all the institutes, they provide very nicely for sisters alhamdulillah.
I’d advise you to just say bismillah and take the Arabic classes, especially in Qur’an – you will be able to understand inshaAllah if you have a good teacher. My teacher actually does know English but she teaches in Arabic, unless I really cannot understand a tajweed rule, she’ll say it in English. The best way to really learn this language is to become immersed in it, and inshaAllah you will pick it up quickly.
Secondly, I’d advise you not to worry about which markaz or school you will attend because the most important thing is having a good teacher. I would not recommend Fajr Institute personally either, Allah knows best.
As for apartments…Finding a one bedroom here is like finding a needle in a haystack
Majority of apartments are two bedrooms. The prices vary based on locations but you won’t be paying more than $500 American. (I don’t know how much that it is in British Pounds) My apartment is very big, three bedrooms, and we pay a little more than $400 a month.
InshaAllah if you are planning on coming here, I’d advise you to focus on saving some money and figuring out a plan for your studies. Egypt is for Qur’an and Arabic, so inshaAllah make that your focus.
Allah knows best.
may Allah guide you to all that is good.
Ameen..JazakIllaahu Khayr sis! I appreciate the information you provided, inshaaAllah that will be my sole focus.
may Allah give me and you success in this life and the next amin
As salam aleikom wa rahmatullah,
Jazakallah khair..this the list I have been looking for. Has anyone tried Bilal Phillips online course? It’s free…I am thinking of trying it inshaAllah.
http://bais.islamiconlineuniversity.com/
Asalamu’alaykum, Qortoba in Al-Iskandiriyyah ( Alexandria) does cater for women and have a womens section where they learn Islaam, Arabic, Qur’aan Walillaahil Hamd.
Assalaam o alaykum,
peeps also may wanna check out:
Opportunities For Sisters To Study The Deen / Live In Saudi Arabia:
http://theauthenticbase.wordpress.com/category/islamic-universities/opportunities-for-sisters-to-study-the-deen-live-in-saudi-arabia/
Jazaak-Allaahu khairun for the post bro…
Keep me in ur du’aas (acceptance list is nearly here…)
May Allaah forgive my sins and accept this humble slave as a student in Madeenah uni, ameen Allaahu amaan.
Wassalaam o alaykum
Akhookum: Omar
JazakhAllahu Kheiran for this information.
I ran into a blog from an al-Azhari student about a year ago, he went into detail about studying in Egypt. If I wasn’t so eager about studying Arabic, the con’s he had written out would have convinced me not to go. I would really prefer to study in Madina like the rest of us, one day iA, if that can ever possible.
Na’am sister muslimah. May Allaah make it easy for us to study in Madinah soon ameen ya Allaah!
Asalamu’alaykum brother i have a problem there is young religious boy that i know and i loved and had i interst in but he doesn’t want to marry me and yet again am falling for him and i feel so lost…
wa alaikum assalam
Often when a person has increased feelings of love and in particular lust then it is due to the fact that they lack in terms of worship. Meaning if you’re not busy with good thoughts and deeds you will be busy with bad thoughts and deeds.
We have all been through sad love stories sister, we are but human. However do not let shaytaan get the better of you, if you are patient Allah will give you a brother more handsome and even more religous than this one. I know it is difficult to realise this now, and like people say love is blind, but try to occupy yourself with beneficial things so you will end up thinking about him less.
Spend your time with family and good friends, stay away from seclusion. Listen to lectures online. Find comfort in the stories of the Prophets before us (read up on Prophet Yusuf’s story) increase in Qur’aan try and listen to it more aswell as reciting it and make dua as often as you can that Allah makes things easy for you if its meant to be and if not, to remove the feelings you have for this boy in your heart.
Asalamu’alaykum brother Jazaak-Allaahu khairun for the information is there any of way of getting to know you ?If you dont mind
wa alaikum assalam
I dont know what you mean by gettting to know? If people have questions concerning the dawah etc feel free to email me: ismaiil_84@msn.com
I assure members I am a very boring guy.
Asalamu’alaykum i want to study in saudia arabia university is ok to study without muharam coz i dont have a brother and my father is not here. i dont know arabic do i have to learn arabic before going to the uni:)
wa alaikum assalam
You will need a mahram I am afraid, since the Prophet said in authentic hadith, that it is not allowed for any woman who believes in Allah and the last day to travel without a mahram. But your mahram is not just your brother or father, they are more then that. Your uncles from your fathers side aswell as your uncles from your mothers side. Your half brothers, boys who suckled the same woman as you as babies etc. The options are many sister. If all other fails look for marriage, in particular with someone who has the same passion to seek knowledge as you.
I did not know (much) arabic either when I started, do not worry about that, you will pick it up easily inshaAllah
Jazak’Allahu kherian ???? ????? for the information
Assalam alaikum, For those sisters(like me) who are already married to husbands who are not so keen on seeking knowledge and have kids and a job, make dua to Allah as much as you can and keep away from sins as much as you can. Allah will open a way for you to seek knowledge, insha Allah.
Wa ‘Alaykum assalaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh ukhtee shawwal.
InshaaAllaah I will make dua for you and the rest of us. However, you can seek knowledge wherever you are in the world. We hope to live and study in the blesses lands but that dosent mean we cannot benefit from our homes.
Lets try to seek knowledge, increase in ‘ibaadah and make sure that our children/families and dunya comittments do not divert us from the remembrance of Allaah.
Salama alakium, i would to know if there is a halaal way to get to know a man that is not married to me.
You see, i have never seen this man face-to-face. But i feel he is decent and would not harm anyone.
I have spoken to him online and i never noticed him.
Until today,at first he was a normal guy i would ignore and try to stay away from but he seem very honest to be and i think im starting to have feelings for the man.
I would love to tell him but i fear i may be doing or encouraging haram.
What do you think i should do?
Assalamu Alaikum
Never tell a man that you like him. If you are serious about wanting to marry him, get intouch with his family, maybe he has a sister? Tell your parents about it and let them help you, dont do this yourself it will only lead to sin and heart ache.
Also the way you think a person is online is almost never how they are in real life. Safeguard your Eemaan.
Salama alakium, I do not know his family and my family does not know that who he is and how i met him.
My family seem to be all about tribal and education and i’m still doing studies.
I dont think he is the same tribe as me and i dont want to cause problems…Your right, thank you for the advice.
Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah,
Whenever we have the passion of seeking knowledge many of us always think of going abroad right away. They would start naming country after country after country. So normally what would happen is that they would wait to experience that opportunity and sit there in their place of home and just wait and wish. Like the brother said in his recent blog, aim to seek knowledge not just in Madeenah. In this case, aim to seek knowledge not just in the place you want because that way you would have a lot of doors to seek knowledge from. It’s good to aim for the best but if that does not work out it does not mean that your doors for knowledge is closed!
Also, a lot of us take advantage of where we live. Sometimes the places we live we may benefit a lot from. I don’t know many places but I know this great school for sisters. This school is called Al-Huda Institute in Toronto, Canada and it’s main focus is the Qur’an. Subhannallah, they learn and understand the qur’an word to word and its tafsir. Also, they provide other classes such as du’aa/fiqh of salah/fast/zakah/etc etc. You may think “…but it’s not like Madeenah!” All i say is just go there one day and if your heart is pure it will suffice you. You would love it.
A brief description of what they say:
“The main objective of the Al Huda Institute is to present a true understanding of the Divine Revelation – the Qur’an and Sunnah. The courses are designed to enable students to develop an intimate relationship with their Creator; find inner peace, develop good character, demonstrate effective interpersonal relations and become beneficial members of society working to better serve humanity”
Here is their website:
http://tq2009.alhudainstitute.ca/html/home.htm
If you’re passion of seeking knowledge then start with the Qur’an. I keep hearing sheikhs saying “you’re not a student of knowledge if you didn’t study the qur’an”. How can you jump to fiqh/ahadiths and abandon the qur’an?
I apologize for the long message but all I am saying is open your eyes there’s a lot of places you can benefit from. Whatever wrong I have said please forgive me it is from my shortcomings.
I’ll leave you with this,
“I was wondering what the foundation for but good deeds could be. I found that good deeds are many such as praying and fasting and they are all in the hands of Allah. We have no access to what Allah has except through asking Him. So I realized that the foundation for all good deeds is DUAA! -Mutarif Ibn Shikeer
Wa’assalaamu alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
Asalaamu alaykum…
Love this blog, very beneficial maashaaAllah. I just wanted to ask, im going saudi inshaallah this summer with my family. I was wondering if der was anyway I could possibly visit some scholars or any summer lessons or just do something beneficial there. I visit saudi every once in a while, but I don’t take advantage of it. So inshallaah I want to make the most of it this time round…can you help me out inshallaah?? Jazakallah khair.
wa alaikum assalam
hmm abit tricky since you are a girl. If you had been a boy I might have been able to link up with you. Also its kinda hard to start lessons during a month of ‘ibadah, you could always try and find a female teacher and read some Qur’aan to her? I heard albaseerah organise this umrah package where you actually get to have lecture from the senior scholars and alot of other nice stuff.
Owkk…that’s a shame! Alhamdulilah. Coz I know in Damaj you can just turn up any time and attend any lessons sa7? Like you don’t have to register or anything like that. Allahu 3′lam. I wont be able to do the umrah package with albaseerah coz I already booked it with my family. Khair inshallaah. Jazakallah khair for your help.
Bismillaah.
Assalaam alaykum,
so this is the new website, my first time here. Looking good i think…may Allah SWT reward you for your efforts.
]
But it seems you get far more feedback on FB, ehhhm maybe except for this article lol…… [ looks like the sisters will give you a tough time brother
Ok but seriously,…
I also have some questions regarding studying in Medinah/Mekka:
1. Do they have an age-limit for female students and what are the other requirements? [ive been told that the limit for male students is 26??]
2. Does it mean the mahram also has to stay, or can he just drop her off and meet her at every beginning/end of a the year?
3.Whats the study-duration and do they offer scholarships?
4. Are there universities there, where they teaches islam ANd science together? [especially architecture/environmental studies]
hope you dont mind asking so many questions =/
if you can refer me to websites of the universities, it would be great too, as long as it in english or dutch
kind regards,
Wa Alaikum Assalam Warahamtullahi Wabaraktuh
Try this website out brother and if you have any further questions please feel free to ask.
http://soyouwanttobeastudent.wordpress.com/
good article, very informative
Assalamoalikum warehmatullah!…MASHALLAH! you are doing a good job brother..i just came to know your facebook page two weeks back..and today discovered this site..i’m glad to see this blog…..Few months back i resigned from my job in Ramadan..as soon as ramadan ended i decided to do a 1 year course that includes tajweed, tafseer of specific surah..Arabic grammer and other stuff..since i had a great desire to get this real knowledge that will help me live a better life..since i’ve had my masters degree..which can only benefit me to have a reputation in society or a good job..maybe..but my parents wanted me to find another job since i’ve had a good academic record..they thought its extremism…u should live a normal life..work..pray..be good..fast..wear hijab..but don’t get into this.they asked me why did i study this much when i didn’t want to apply it anywhere…and couldn’t at all convince them..though they have a good association with religion…
I need to ask you…how can i study all this..what steps should i take…how to convince them..?how to make them supportive of what i want to do..?..hope to get your good advice..
Wa Alaikum Assalam Warahamtullahi Wabaraktuh
First of all, Alhamdulilah that Allaah guided you to the truth and may He keep you steadfast upon it.
As for your question, then in reality one does not need to quit their job or education in order to study Islaam. We muslims need to understand that a person can be very religious yet be a Computer Enginner or a Dentist etc. My sincere advice to you and to all other young muslims who might be reading this is not to stop their education thinking they are getting closer to Allaah through this act, no! Rather we need to be at the very top with regards to ALL fields of knowledge.
Make time for this dunya as well as the akhirah, memorise Qur’aan and work at the same time. Study arabic, and chemistry at the same time. Be an example to others dear brothers and sisters.
Pleased to see your reply…..JAZAKALLAH KHAIR for the wonderful advice…I also believe the same that one should be perfect in every field…I’ve been a dedicated student..and i secured 2nd position..i’m a biochemist..i even worked in an office with hijab..since i wanted to prove this always that by following islam nobody becomes backward…
its just that to be a better half of someone in future..a good daughter..a good friend of someone…i.e a good Muslim i need to get knowledge of the quran and sunnah…and for that i need to give sometime to it..and with my job i don’t think i’ll be able to manage studies..when i’ve been studying for 16 years..can’t i study Quran for just a year..!..and then back to normal days..
Alhamdulillah! just look at yourself..i mean you are so lucky to be studying at such a wonderful place..and the knowledge you are getting…its not only beneficial for this life but your hereafter also..and the contribution you’re making..MASHALLAH!…May Allah subhanawatala guide me to what is best for me…ameen…
As Salaam Alaikum, Misr is a great place for learning and with ease depending on the student. I have been here for a few years and although I have had my share of annoyances it will never compare to the knowledge I have gained. I guess its like the old saying you must take the bitter with the sweet.
Masha’allah Tabarak’allah; i learned many things from this forum. Barak’allah Feek
May Allah answer our duas and make easy for us the understanding of the deen and unite us in the highest level of jannah. ammen thumman ameen.
was sallamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa baraktu
Assalaamu alaikum.
Do you know of any places for women to gain knowledge (with the proper manhaj) in Jeddah? I moved here recently and have found that a lot of the schools and organizations (to my shock and dismay) were on another manhaj. I have considered attending them while keeping this in mind but I would much prefer to take from what is more authentic and correct rather than me (a lay-person) trying to distinguish between truth and falsehood while learning.
Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah!
Barakallahu feek for this genuine, beneficial post!
The comments look as though they may be beneficial too, so insha’Allah im going to read them too.
Jazakallahu khair, &may Allah accept our good deeds &increase the bond between the sisterhood fid-deen.
Salam alaikum wa rahmatullah,
Jazakallah Hairan for the benefitting info for our sisters!
Asalamu alaykum. May Allah bless you with khayr in the dunya and akhirah..Ameen!
I recently fell deeply in love with the deen and decided to leave my days of ignorance and change my life for the better. However majority of the friends I have are still on the “live for today” extremely careless mentality. Although I love them very much, I see myself slipping when I hang out with them. And those times i do slip up, they look at me as if im a hypocrite and make me feel disencouraged and disappointed in myself. For a long time the idea of leaving the west and studying the religion in a Muslim country became very appealing–especially the blessed city of Madina. My question would be, what advice would you give a you give a sister in my situation on how she can better herself, and what websites and lectures would you reccommend for me especially those times when I feel disencouraged.
-umm Muhsin
Asalam Alaikum Sheikh,
Jazakum Allah Khair for this address.
Secondly, would you happen to know places in Bahrain or the easter side of Saudia where sisters can study. By Allah I’ve been searching for a Sheikh to teach me but to date I have found none. I make do with lectures from Islamic University of Madina avaialble online, but I still want to learn more. Jazakum Allah Khair again.
Jazakallah Khair for this beneficial information. We have all been learning alot from the blog. May Allah increase us in Imaan and Iklas. Ameen.