Sunday 5 August 2007

Students of Deen!

Offering some Naseehah (advice) to those pursuing the knowledge of Deen (Islam),
Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thaanwi said:

'I address the students of deen with utmost respect.I have some advice to offer..Your need (to the community) is only on account of knowledge,and righteous deeds.Without these you have no value.Remember that the more delicious a food is,the quicker and more does it deteriorate and develop a foul smell.Just as it is beneficial in its condition and goodness,so too will it be corrupt and harmful in its state of corruption and decay.It is therefore essential that you become concerned with your Islaah,(moral reformation).

Your islaah can be achieved in two ways.One way is to search for a pious teacher from whom you acquire the knowledge of Deen.Never join the company of an irreligious teacher.The time of acquiring knowledge is the period of sowing the seeds.

Secondly,after having spent some time in the acquisition of knowledge,stay in the company of some AhlAllah (pious people).Only then will you gain the qualification for becoming a servant of deen.

Nowadays,students deceive themselves with the idea that they will practice righteousness after completion of their studies.This is a downright wrong idea,which will deprive the student from righteous deeds through his life.He will not gain the ability for performing good deeds.Remember that first impressions do not return.The initial impression and effect should be valued.The impression which one gains while acquiring knowledge and the effect of having gained awareness of deeds of reward are sin are special in the initial stage.If the student takes advantage of this initial impression and act accordingly,it will benefit him enduringly.If he ignores the impression (i.e tawfeeq) and abstains from giving it practical expressions in the form of righteousness and abstention from sin,the ability will be eliminated.This ability will not easily return.

If the injunctions and warnings of the holy Qur'an and Ahadith,which you are pursuing academically,do not exercise an influence on your heart during your student days,what hope is there for the future.When you study with the intention of the days of knowledge pursuit not being the time for righteous deeds,then,O'honourable friend,there can not be hope for the knowledge to exercise a beneficial influence on your later life.'

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