Adaab of Learning
Adaab of Learning
Yawar Baig to standard-beare.
Adaab of Learning Before we can hope to learn anything at all about Islam, it is essential to remind ourselves of the adaab (manners) ofapproaching the knowledge of Islam. The knowledge of Islam is not amechanical collection of random information. It is the thoughtfulacquisition of knowledge with the intention to practice it because theMuslim realizes that this is essential for his life in this world and thenext.Allah called it a sign of His guidance.Allah said:فَمَن يُرِدِ اللّهُ أَن يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلإِسْلاَمِAl-Anam: 6:125 Whoever Allah wishes to guide, He opens his heart to IslamWhen Islamic knowledge is approached without Abab (respect) it does notguide the student to the truth. Students get embroiled in pointless argumentand worthless debate that leads them astray. Adaab (manners) of learning areessential to understanding and benefiting from the knowledge that theteacher is trying to share. These adaab are as follows:1. Consider yourself to be in critical and dire need of this knowledge.Remember that we are not learning about Islam as a matter of idle curiosityor even of genuine interest. We are learning about it because it isessential and critical to our own existence and our future in the Hereafter.It's more than just interest.2. Ask Allah to open our hearts to His Word and to the knowledge ofIslam because Hidaya is only in His control. Pray Salat-ul-Haajah beforecoming to the class and make dua that Allah should enable us to understandwhat is being taught.3. Come with the intention of practicing what we learn. Acquiringknowledge of Islam is obligatory on us. To practice it is the only way tobenefit from it. Remind ourselves that if we learn and don't practice wewill become liable for punishment. Remember that ignorance is not defense inlaw so remaining ignorant is not an option to learning but not practicing.4. Focus on 'What'. Not on 'Who' or 'How'. Focus on what is beingtaught. Not on who is teaching or his/her style or accent or looks or way ofspeaking.5. Remind ourselves that 'not liking' what you hear with respect toIslam and the orders of Allah or the Sunnah of His Nabi is a disease of theheart and a sign of the sickness of our Imaan. It must be corrected throughtawba. Not pampered and allowed to lead us back into the darkness ofignorance.6. Behave with the utmost respect and consideration for the teacher andfellow students. Don't interrupt, or disturb the session by talking toothers, or make or answer phone calls, or fidget or otherwise behave in waysthat can be distracting for others.7. Be fanatical about punctuality. NEVER be late. Punctuality is a signof respect and being late is a sign of disrespect. If you have to leave forsome personal reason, tell the teacher in advance and leave quietly withoutdisturbing others.8. Don't argue. Remember that this knowledge is not mere words. To sinkin it takes time and practice. It takes lots of dua and effort to getcontrol of our Nafs (heart full of desires) which has become used to havingits own way all our lives. Now suddenly when you want it to become obedientto Allah , it will resist. It is not the teacher's responsibility toconvince you. It is his responsibility to convey the knowledge to youclearly and with proof. You are free to accept or reject what you learn.Both options produce their own results.9. So listen carefully, record the learning and then stand in the night(in Tahajjud) and ask Allah to allow it to sink into our hearts. Arguingwith the teacher who is speaking with proof from the Qur'an and Sunnah isfruitless and indicates our own ignorance and lack of manners. The teacherdid not make the rules and he can't change them whether we like the rules ornot.10. LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. Once again remind yourself that 'listening'and 'hearing' are two different things. Don't get so engrossed in writingdown every single word that the teacher says that you miss the wholeatmosphere and essence of what has been said. It is far better to listen andthen note down what you remembered. That way you may miss some points butyou can fill them in later. Meanwhile Allah will enable you to retain whatyou really need to know.11. Listen with the intention to accept and to practice. Not with theintention to find fault. Remember that the teacher never claimed to befaultless and that all humans are full of faults. That, believe it or not,includes you as well. So even if you pick a million faults that still doesnot make the truth of the words false nor does it prove that you don't needthe learning.12. Remember that there is only one teacher in the class and that's notyou. Remember that you did not come to assess or test the teacher or toteach him or to tell him what to teach or how to do that. You came to learn.So do it.13. If you genuinely have a personal problem with a particular teacherand feel you can't learn from them, then do yourself and everyone else afavor: LEAVE. Find another teacher.14. Thank Allah for giving us the opportunity to learn. Thank theteacher for taking the time and trouble to teach. Remember that Rasoolullahsaid: The one who does not thank the person has not thanked Allah
