آداب طالب العلمآداب طالب العلم manners of the student of knowledge...

العلم طالب العلم آداب طالب آدابManners of the Manners of the

Student of Student of

KnowledgeKnowledge Esa-Alexander Esa-Alexander

HendersonHenderson

العلم طالب العلم آداب طالب آدابManners of the Student of KnowledgeManners of the Student of Knowledge

‘‘You need to learn Etiquette (You need to learn Etiquette (اآلداباآلداب) ) before you acquire Knowledge’ before you acquire Knowledge’

- Imam Malik, radi Allahu anhu- Imam Malik, radi Allahu anhu


‘‘I spent thirty years learning manners, I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning and I spent twenty years learning

knowledge’ knowledge’ - Abdullah bin al-Mubaarak, radi Allahu anhu- Abdullah bin al-Mubaarak, radi Allahu anhu


OverviewOverview•IntentionIntention•The Etiquette of the PupilThe Etiquette of the Pupil•Conduct before, during & after Conduct before, during & after lessonslessons•Inward & Outward PurificationInward & Outward Purification•Honouring the UstadhHonouring the Ustadh•The Blessings of Seeking The Blessings of Seeking KnowledgeKnowledge•Wanting to become an Aalim?Wanting to become an Aalim?


IntentionIntention

:: وسلم قال قال عليه الله صلى الله وسلم رسول عليه الله صلى الله رسول

بالنيات األعمال بالنيات إنما األعمال إنماIndeed, actions are but by their intention – [Bukhari & Indeed, actions are but by their intention – [Bukhari &

Muslim]Muslim]


IntentionIntention

Be sure that, if in your quest for knowledge your Be sure that, if in your quest for knowledge your aim is to gain something for yourself and to surpass aim is to gain something for yourself and to surpass your fellows, to attract men’s attention to yourself your fellows, to attract men’s attention to yourself and to amass this worldly vanities, then you are on and to amass this worldly vanities, then you are on

the way to bring your religion to nothing and the way to bring your religion to nothing and destroy yourself, to sell your eternal life for this destroy yourself, to sell your eternal life for this

present one – [Imam Ghazali]present one – [Imam Ghazali]


The Etiquette of the PupilThe Etiquette of the Pupil

There are There are SEVEN SEVEN etiquettes required to be observed by a etiquettes required to be observed by a Student of Knowledge;Student of Knowledge;

1.1.Priority given to inner purification (Tazkiyyatun Nafs)Priority given to inner purification (Tazkiyyatun Nafs)2.2.Reduce his connection to the worldReduce his connection to the world3.3.Not to be proud & to relinquish choice to his TeacherNot to be proud & to relinquish choice to his Teacher4.4.Guard against listening to disagreements Guard against listening to disagreements 5.5.Not to abandon any branches of the Praiseworthy Not to abandon any branches of the Praiseworthy KnowledgeKnowledge6.6.Give attention to the most Noble of Knowledge'sGive attention to the most Noble of Knowledge's7.7.For the Seeker to adorn his heart with striving toward For the Seeker to adorn his heart with striving toward Allah AlmightyAllah Almighty


Conduct Conduct beforebefore, during & after lessons, during & after lessons

1.1.Ensure to read or complete any preparatory work set by Ensure to read or complete any preparatory work set by the teacherthe teacher2.2.Ensure to refresh the former class prior to your Ensure to refresh the former class prior to your attending the nextattending the next3.3.Ensure, prior to entering the class, that you are in a Ensure, prior to entering the class, that you are in a state of Wudustate of Wudu4.4.Always review and re-affirm your intentions before Always review and re-affirm your intentions before proceeding to studyproceeding to study5.5.Make Du’a that Allah Almighty grants you Tawfiq and Make Du’a that Allah Almighty grants you Tawfiq and success in your studiessuccess in your studies6.6.Read two Nawfl for your own guidance, success and Read two Nawfl for your own guidance, success and TawfiqTawfiq7.7.Arrive Arrive EARLY EARLY - before the teacher - before the teacher


Conduct Conduct beforebefore, , duringduring & after lessons & after lessons

1.1.Do not sit until instructed to do so by your teacherDo not sit until instructed to do so by your teacher

2.2.Recite Recite الرحيم الرحمن الله الرحيم بسم الرحمن الله before commencing any workbefore commencing any work بسم3.3.Sit silently throughout the course of the lessonSit silently throughout the course of the lesson4.4.If you have any queries pertinent to content, raise your hand until If you have any queries pertinent to content, raise your hand until acknowledged then lower itacknowledged then lower it5.5.Write any questions down to ensure you do not forgetWrite any questions down to ensure you do not forget6.6.All phones either turned on silent or entirely switched off during All phones either turned on silent or entirely switched off during the course of the classthe course of the class

7.7.Do Do NOTNOT discuss anything, at discuss anything, at ANYANY time, with your time, with your co-studentsco-students


Conduct Conduct beforebefore, , duringduring & & afterafter lessons lessons

1.1.Review all the work covered during the sessionReview all the work covered during the session2.2.Compile a list of questions pertaining to the contentCompile a list of questions pertaining to the content3.3.Commit to memory anything that requires memorising Commit to memory anything that requires memorising 4.4.Make Du’a that Allah Almighty enables you to continue Make Du’a that Allah Almighty enables you to continue to endeavour to seek Knowledgeto endeavour to seek Knowledge


InwardInward & Outward Purification & Outward Purification

1.1.The objective of KnowledgeThe objective of Knowledge• To Reconnect with Allah Almighty & His Beloved sallAllahu To Reconnect with Allah Almighty & His Beloved sallAllahu

alaihi wasallamalaihi wasallam• To Purify your HeartTo Purify your Heart• Removal of Lowly Inner TraitsRemoval of Lowly Inner Traits


Inward Inward & & OutwardOutward Purification Purification

1.1.The objective of KnowledgeThe objective of Knowledge• To adopt the Shari’ah throughout the discourse of LifeTo adopt the Shari’ah throughout the discourse of Life• To correct facets of life which are not in conformity to DinTo correct facets of life which are not in conformity to Din• To engage in active Reflection to bring about the changeTo engage in active Reflection to bring about the change• To apply the Ilm upon your limbsTo apply the Ilm upon your limbs• To become silentTo become silent• To pursue solitude To pursue solitude • To mature yourselfTo mature yourself


Honouring the Ustadh (Teacher)Honouring the Ustadh (Teacher)

‘‘We were commanded to be humble to We were commanded to be humble to those we learn from’ those we learn from’

- Imam Ahmad b. Hanbal, radi Allahu anhu- Imam Ahmad b. Hanbal, radi Allahu anhu



‘‘I would turn the pages of my book in I would turn the pages of my book in front of Imam Malik (radi Allahu anhu) in front of Imam Malik (radi Allahu anhu) in a very soft, quiet way so that he wouldn’t a very soft, quiet way so that he wouldn’t be bothered by its noise, out of respect be bothered by its noise, out of respect

for him’ for him’ - Imam Shafi’i, radi Allahu anhu- Imam Shafi’i, radi Allahu anhu



‘‘He should not say ‘O Teacher’ or ‘O He should not say ‘O Teacher’ or ‘O Scholar what is your take on this’ or Scholar what is your take on this’ or

‘what do you think about this?’ also he ‘what do you think about this?’ also he [the student] shouldn’t refer to him by [the student] shouldn’t refer to him by his first name in his absence except by his first name in his absence except by attaching to it a title of respect such as attaching to it a title of respect such as

‘Shaykh’, ‘Ustadh’, ‘Shaykhuna’ ‘Shaykh’, ‘Ustadh’, ‘Shaykhuna’ - al-Khatib, radi Allahu anhu- al-Khatib, radi Allahu anhu



Imam as-Shafi’i was criticised for his Imam as-Shafi’i was criticised for his humility before Ulema and he remarked; humility before Ulema and he remarked;

‘‘I humble myself to them, and they I humble myself to them, and they honour me. And you will not be honoured honour me. And you will not be honoured

unless you humble yourself’ unless you humble yourself’ - Imam as-Shafi’i, radi Allahu anhu- Imam as-Shafi’i, radi Allahu anhu



Zayd b. Thabit (radi Allahu anhu) prayed Zayd b. Thabit (radi Allahu anhu) prayed a funeral prayer and a mule was brought a funeral prayer and a mule was brought forward with Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) forward with Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu)

at its reigns to lead him away. Zayd b. at its reigns to lead him away. Zayd b. Thabit remarked, ‘Let go of it, O Cousin Thabit remarked, ‘Let go of it, O Cousin

of the Prophet (SallAllahu alaihi of the Prophet (SallAllahu alaihi wasallam) and Ibn Abbas replied;wasallam) and Ibn Abbas replied;

‘‘This is how we were commanded to treat This is how we were commanded to treat the scholars’the scholars’



‘‘The seeker of knowledge should The seeker of knowledge should withstand his teacher’s harshness and withstand his teacher’s harshness and

bad treatment, and this should not turn bad treatment, and this should not turn him away from him. He should give him him away from him. He should give him

the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the benefit of the doubt when it comes to any bad actions on his part, and should any bad actions on his part, and should

respond to any harshness from his respond to any harshness from his Shaykh by apologising himself, repenting Shaykh by apologising himself, repenting to Allah Almighty, seeking His Mercy, and to Allah Almighty, seeking His Mercy, and

placing the blame upon himself’ placing the blame upon himself’ -Ibn Jama’ah (rahimahullah)-Ibn Jama’ah (rahimahullah)



Ash-Shafi’i narrated regarding Sufyan Ash-Shafi’i narrated regarding Sufyan Unayanah (radi Allahu anhu) ‘These Unayanah (radi Allahu anhu) ‘These

people come to you from all corners of people come to you from all corners of the world, and you get mad at them? the world, and you get mad at them? They can all get up and leave!’ and They can all get up and leave!’ and

Sufyan responded, ‘If they did this, they Sufyan responded, ‘If they did this, they would be idiots, as they leave what will would be idiots, as they leave what will benefit them due to my bad manners’benefit them due to my bad manners’-Imam Sufyan Uynaynah (radi Allahu -Imam Sufyan Uynaynah (radi Allahu

anhu)anhu)



‘‘From the Sunnah is that the scholar be From the Sunnah is that the scholar be honoured’honoured’

-Ibn Tawus from His Father -Ibn Tawus from His Father (rahimahullah)(rahimahullah)


The Blessings of Seeking KnowledgeThe Blessings of Seeking Knowledge

‘‘If Allah intends good upon someone, He If Allah intends good upon someone, He grants him understanding of the religion’grants him understanding of the religion’

[Sahih Bukhari & Muslim][Sahih Bukhari & Muslim]

هه_ bق dي_ف ا gير dخ jهjب الله_ jدjي_ر ن dهه_ م bق dي_ف ا gير dخ jهjب الله_ jدjي_ر ن dمالدbين الدbين فjي فjي



‘‘If someone embarks on the quest for If someone embarks on the quest for knowledge, he is on the way of Allah until knowledge, he is on the way of Allah until

he returns’he returns’[Al-Tirmidhi & al-Tabarani][Al-Tirmidhi & al-Tabarani]

j العjلم jبdلdط فjي dج dر dخ ن dم j العjلم jبdلdط فjي dج dر dخ ن dمتbى dح الله jيلjب dس فjي dانdى كbت dح الله jيلjب dس فjي dانdك

dع jرجdيdع jرجdي



‘‘A jurist is more difficult for Shaytaan A jurist is more difficult for Shaytaan than a thousand worshippers’than a thousand worshippers’

[Al-Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah][Al-Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]

jانdيط bالش عdلى د{ dشdأ يه� jق dف jانdيط bالش عdلى د{ dشdأ يه� jق dفعdابjد� jألف ن jد� مjابdع jألف ن jم



‘‘The likeness of the scholars on earth is the like that The likeness of the scholars on earth is the like that of the stars in the sky by which guidance is provided of the stars in the sky by which guidance is provided

in the darkness of the land and the sea, for if the in the darkness of the land and the sea, for if the stars are obliterated, the guides (leading the stars are obliterated, the guides (leading the

travellers) are on the verge of going astray. [If there travellers) are on the verge of going astray. [If there are no scholars, people will loose their way]’are no scholars, people will loose their way]’

[Ahmad & al-Daylami][Ahmad & al-Daylami]

jوم الن{ج_ jلdث dمdك jرضdاأل فjي jاء dمdالع_ل dلdث dم bنjإ jوم الن{ج_ jلdث dمdك jرضdاأل فjي jاء dمdالع_ل dلdث dم bنjإ dو bرdالب jاتdظ_ل_م فjي jهjب ي_هتdدdى jاء dم bالس وd فjي bرdالب jاتdظ_ل_م فjي jهjب ي_هتdدdى jاء dم bالس فjيأdن dك dأوش وم_ الن{ج_ jت dسdمdانط إjذdا dف jحرdن البdأ dك dأوش وم_ الن{ج_ jت dسdمdانط إjذdا dف jحرdالب

دdاة_ اله_ bل jضdاة_ تdد اله_ bل jضdت


Act upon that which is LearntAct upon that which is Learnt j ألعjلم jار dكرdتjب ا dهdيتdحيd أ لdيdال� ن jم كdم لdد_، dالو ا dأي{ه j ألعjلم jار dكرdتjب ا dهdيتdحيd أ لdيdال� ن jم كdم لdد_، dالو ا dأي{ه

ال ؟ dومbالن dك jفسdن عdلى dمت bر dحdو jت_ب_ الك jةdعdالdم_طdال و ؟ dومbالن dك jفسdن عdلى dمت bر dحdو jت_ب_ الك jةdعdالdم_طdو . الد{نيdا jض dرdع dيلdن dانdك إjن jيه jف البdاعjث_ dانdك ا dم dعلdم_ . أ الد{نيdا jض dرdع dيلdن dانdك إjن jيه jف البdاعjث_ dانdك ا dم dعلdم_ أ

عdلdى dاة dاهdب الم_ dو ا dهjب jاصdن dم dيل jحصdت dو ا dه jامdط ح_ dذب dج dى وdلdع dاة dاهdب الم_ dو ا dهjب jاصdن dم dيل jحصdت dو ا dه jامdط ح_ dذب dج dو . dانdك إjن dو dكdل يل� dو bث_م dكdل يل� dو dف ، jالdمثd األ dو jان dقرd . األ dانdك إjن dو dكdل يل� dو bث_م dكdل يل� dو dف ، jالdمثd األ dو jان dقرd األ

jيهjلdع الله_ لbى dص ، bيjبbالن jةdيعjر dش dاءdحيj إ jيه jف dصد_ك dق jيهjلdع الله_ لbى dص ، bيjبbالن jةdيعjر dش dاءdحيj إ jيه jف dصد_ك dق jة dار bمd األ jفسbالن dسرdكdو dكjق dخالdأ dيبjهذdت dو ، dمbل dسdو jة dار bمd األ jفسbالن dسرdكdو dكjق dخالdأ dيبjهذdت dو ، dمbل dسdو

. ن dم dقdد dص د` dقdل dو dكdل ط_ونjى bث_م dكdل فdط_ونjى ،jوء . بjألس{ ن dم dقdد dص د` dقdل dو dكdل ط_ونjى bث_م dكdل فdط_ونjى ،jوء بjألس{g عرا jشgعرا jش: :

ائjع� dض dك jجهdو jيرdغjل jالع_ي_ون ر_ dه dع� سjائ dض dك jجهdو jيرdغjل jالع_ي_ون ر_ dه dسبdاطjل� dكjقد dف jيرdغjل bاؤ_ه_نdب_ك dل� وjاطdب dكjقد dف jيرdغjل bاؤ_ه_نdب_ك dو


Act upon that which is LearntAct upon that which is Learnt‘‘O my Son, how many nights have you spent rehearsing your O my Son, how many nights have you spent rehearsing your learning, reading books, and depriving yourself of sleep? I do learning, reading books, and depriving yourself of sleep? I do not know what the motive was in this – if it was winning the not know what the motive was in this – if it was winning the

goods of the world, the allure of its vanities, getting its goods of the world, the allure of its vanities, getting its honours, and vainglory to the debit of your associates and honours, and vainglory to the debit of your associates and peers, woe to you and woe again! But if your objective in it peers, woe to you and woe again! But if your objective in it was the revival of the Prophet’s Law (Gods Blessings upon was the revival of the Prophet’s Law (Gods Blessings upon

Him), the cultivation o your character and breaking the ‘soul Him), the cultivation o your character and breaking the ‘soul that incites to evil’, blessing upon you and blessing agin! He that incites to evil’, blessing upon you and blessing agin! He

has told the truth who spoke the verse:has told the truth who spoke the verse:Sleeplessness of the eye but for Thy sake is vain,Sleeplessness of the eye but for Thy sake is vain,

Their crying but for Thy loss is insane’Their crying but for Thy loss is insane’

[Al-Imam al-Ghazali, Ayyuhal Walad][Al-Imam al-Ghazali, Ayyuhal Walad]


Wanting to become an Wanting to become an Aalim?Aalim?

آداب طالب العلمآداب طالب العلم manners of the student of knowledge...

Documents

knowledge manners

student of knowledge

student of knowledge

allah almighty manners

teacher manners

knowledge imam malik

knowledge abdullah bin

imam ghazali manners