Ta’leem Mut’allim- Etiquettes of a Student

12 July 2009 107 views No Comment

I saw the following typed up on a blog while back. Unfortunately, I have lost the original site but I did keep a copy of the post. I am pasting it below with minor edits.

First a little introduction about Knowledge – religious knowledge is a like a light passed from Rasulullah (sallallahu alahi wa sallam) down through the sahabah and further down until it reaches the students of knowledge. It is up to us to ascertain how we can gain maximum benefit from this light, but if we don’t respect it, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) can and will take it away from us.

10 etiquettes of a student:

1. There are some areas of knowledge that are fard (obligatory) for every Muslim to know. It is important for us to first understand our religious obligations e.g. how to pray, fast, make wudu, etc. Essentially, every student should have thorough knowledge of the basic fara’id – the fard ‘ayn.

2. Every student should make sure that their intention is only to please Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and NOT to gain fame, wealth or become well-known. If we have incorrect intentions then whatever we gain and benefit would be for that purpose and not for Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).

3. You should choose the most learned, pious and the most advanced person in age as your teacher. The most elderly person should be selected because of the experience they posess. If this is not possible then at least the most learned and pious. Once that teacher is selected their opinion should be taken on what you should study AND their opinion should be respected. This means that you shouldn’t go to your teacher and say, “I think I’m ready to study Sahih Bukhari” when he/she wants you to learn arabic first. You can say that you feel weak in a certain area and would like to study that asking for suggestions on what books you should study.

4. All students should have complete respect of the knowledge they are studying AND of their teachers. In regards to teachers they should not be questioned too much. In regards to knowledge we shouldn’t place our books on the floor, and in fact, we shouldn’t put our pens on top of our notes or doodle in the margins! Furthemore, no matter how many itmes you are learning something you should have the same reverence for it.

5. Students should be regular and consistent. They should not miss their classes and be there on time. If a student is continuously missing classes it means that other things are more valuable to them.

6. Reliance on Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is key. We should develop ourselves so that we have trust in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) that all of our worries will be taken care of. We should look for a means and then rely on Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) that He will sustain us through those means. Also we should not underestimate the power of du’a, the more you ask the more likely your prayers will be answered. Du’a should not be restricted to the hereafter, it is said that even if you need new shoes you should ask Allah (swt) for the means. Whatever we need we should ask Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) for it, we don’t know what obstacles lie in our path which Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) will remove.

7. Take advantage of your time. Learn during your youth, study after fajr and between Maghrib and ‘Isha. As a student of knowledge, time should not be wasted, use the night and tahajjud time to revise unless you are really tired.

8. A student should be a kind and compassionate person, not jealous, harsh or mean. These are not characteristics of the Prophets (alayhis salam) or our pious predecessors. You must have a clean heart to take on this knowledge.

9. Seek benefit from scholars and learned people. Also, don’t try to memorise the knowledge your gaining, take good notes.

10. Abstain from sins and haraam. Stay away from doubtful food. The students of the past would not go out and eat in the market place for fear of the doubt in the food and what effect it would have on their hearts. The very least we can do is make sure everything we eat is halal; how do we expect this noor to penetrate the haraam? Also do not neglect the Sunnah of RasulAllah (sallallahu alahi wa sallam), if you neglect it you are deprived of his (saw) practices. Think of the fara’id as a house, the sunnah as the fence surrounding that house and the etiquettes are the gate surrounding the community that you live in. If the gate isn’t there, Shaytan can penetrate your fence, if the fence isn’t there he can penetrate the fara’id.

Furthermore we have to realise that there is knowledge, and then there is the acceptance and application of that knowledge. If you have no application, no one will benefit from your knowledge. Always ask Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala) to accept the knowledge you are seeking. He doesn’t need us to spread His deen. He can always replace us. We must act upon and teach the knowledge we are gaining, it is not meant to be hidden.