Introduction to Howzah Studies Lesson 4 Etiquettes of Learning (Part one) By Sheikh Safdar Razi

There are three types of etiquette: Ethics of the student with his self. Ethics of the students towards the teacher Ethics of the students while learning

Ethics of the students. 1. Have a Sincere Intention لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولاً مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلالٍ مُّبِينٍ [3:164] “Certainly Allah conferred a benefit upon the believers when He raised among them an Apostle from among themselves, reciting to them His communications and purifying them, and teaching them the Book and the wisdom, although before that they were surely in manifest error.”

The Best of the Best: The Prophet (S) says: “The best of the best are the pious scholars, and the worst of the worst are the evil scholars.” Sincerity brings wisdom and knowledge. Sincerity blesses the knowledge. Sincerity increases the knowledge.

2. Utilize Time Before it Runs Out A person must put as much time as he can into seeking knowledge. He should put aside all the useless things which distract him from acquiring knowledge. A scholar has said: “If I was given a responsibility of a union/relation, I would have never been able to learn a Masala (law).” Many people realize this when it’s too late.

Obtain the benefit of five things before five things: The Prophet (S) gave Abu Zurr (R.Z.) the following advice: “O Abu Zurr, get the benefit of five before five (things that would prevent you from benefiting): Your youth before you become old. Your life before you die. Your health before you become sick. Your wealth before you become impoverished. Your free time before you become too busy.”

3. Balance your Responsibilities: Balance time with the family, which may include parents, children and spouses. Balance time with work or a job. A student should not become too preoccupied with earning; he should be satisfied with whatever Allah has given him. By fulfilling his own basic requirements, he should realize that if he is sincere in learning for the sole purpose of serving Allah (swt), then Allah is his employer, and He is the most generous of employers.

4. Avoid Too Many Social Distractions Social distractions include: Mingling with friends and attending parties or get- togethers. Balance the time for these activities and choose wisely which ones to attend. Family visitations. Reduce the family visitations as much as possible. Always remember: Balance is what Islam is all about. Keep some notes or a small book to learn from whenever you have free time. Always be in the state of learning.

5. Avoid Laziness A student must be active, and should always prevent himself from becoming lazy. A student should be organized and avoid sloppiness in his work and his learning activities. It is mentioned by one of the Infallibles (a.s.), “You have to organize your affairs.”

6. Always Observe Humility Always keep in mind that whatever you learn is nothing in comparison to what there is left to learn. Remember the story of Khidr (a.s.) and the bird. Always look towards those who know more than you, so you may realize you have still a long way to go. Shaytaan will always whisper to you to make you think you know a lot by sparking your ego in front of those who know less than you, so BE CAREFUL!

7. Always Be Thankful Allah promises by His words, saying in His holy book: فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لِي وَلاَ تَكْفُرُونِ [2:152] “Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.”

[39:66] “Nay! But serve Allah alone and be of the thankful.” بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنْ الشَّاكِرِينَ [14:7] “And when your Lord made it known: If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more, and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe.” وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ Continued…

8. Control the Soul Jihaad of Desires: وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ [29:69] “And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good.”

9. Have Piety (Taqwa) وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًاوَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا [65:2] “So…, and whoever is careful of (his duty to) Allah, He will make for him an outlet… ” [65:3] “And give him sustenance from whence he thinks not; and whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him; surely Allah attains His purpose; Allah indeed has appointed a measure for everything.”

10. Have Patience Acquiring knowledge properly with sincerity and piety is never easy, it requires a lot of hard work, effort, time and patience. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَعِينُواْ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاَةِ إِنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ [2:153] “O you who believe! Seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient.”