Chapter nineteen
Respect your books, pens, paper and anything you use to in order to learn because this will help you attain a greater level. A person who respects his book will get knowledge that is not written in his book. It was said that a Indian scholar used to memorise any page of a book he saw. When asked about this he said that he never touched a piece paper without being in a state of ablution.
If you see a pen on the floor pick it up and put it somewhere safe. Do not throw pens across the room and try not to forget them when you leave a teaching space.
When carrying book try to carry it with your right hand. If you have are carrying bag with books in them then try not to place them on the floor, either put them on a table, another seat or in another place.
Do not raise your feet about any books that you have in your house or elsewhere. Books that you have at home should be kept in a respectable place and not in a place where they can be torn by children.
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Showing posts with label How to ask a scholar a question. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How to ask a scholar a question. Show all posts
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Respecting the teacher
Chapter eighteen
This is something that I need to practice.
Respecting the teacher is one of the manners that a student needs to show; if he is to progress with the blessings of his teachers. When the teacher speaks you should be listening and never interrupt them. If you need to ask them a question then do in the manner we have explained before.
When the teacher enters the room you can stand for them, this is your choice the best teachers will tell you not to do this. You may find some teachers not receptive to accepting presents, do not mind this because they want the reward for their teaching in paradise not now. Most teachers will accept presents but put thought into them and do not give them something that they will not use. Some teachers may not accept presents so be mindful of this.
The best way to sit in front of a teacher is on your knees, if you cannot do this then resting on either leg, if you cannot do this then sitting cross legged but never raise your knees in front of the teacher, this shows disrespect. If you have teaching rooms that have chairs then use them, as the above information is for those who are sitting in the traditional way on the floor.
Sometimes, scholars write complicated things in their books which lead the student to be confused. The student should show respect to the scholar whose book he is reading and make a supplication for him. I have seen many students disrespect the scholar whose book they are reading, do not think that you are going to anywhere by doing this. You will not benefit from the knowledge that you have learnt and incur the wrath of losing knowledge. It is a real wrath of God to loss knowledge because you have disrespected a teacher.
This is something that I need to practice.
Respecting the teacher is one of the manners that a student needs to show; if he is to progress with the blessings of his teachers. When the teacher speaks you should be listening and never interrupt them. If you need to ask them a question then do in the manner we have explained before.
When the teacher enters the room you can stand for them, this is your choice the best teachers will tell you not to do this. You may find some teachers not receptive to accepting presents, do not mind this because they want the reward for their teaching in paradise not now. Most teachers will accept presents but put thought into them and do not give them something that they will not use. Some teachers may not accept presents so be mindful of this.
The best way to sit in front of a teacher is on your knees, if you cannot do this then resting on either leg, if you cannot do this then sitting cross legged but never raise your knees in front of the teacher, this shows disrespect. If you have teaching rooms that have chairs then use them, as the above information is for those who are sitting in the traditional way on the floor.
Sometimes, scholars write complicated things in their books which lead the student to be confused. The student should show respect to the scholar whose book he is reading and make a supplication for him. I have seen many students disrespect the scholar whose book they are reading, do not think that you are going to anywhere by doing this. You will not benefit from the knowledge that you have learnt and incur the wrath of losing knowledge. It is a real wrath of God to loss knowledge because you have disrespected a teacher.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Advice for a teacher
Chapter Seventeen
The teacher must be aware of the area that he is in. If he is not from that area then he must study the area, the people and the circumstances. He must know what he could face and he must know what people are doing and try to figure out a way to reach them.
The teacher must not be proud or boastful this will prevent people taking knowledge from him and this will confirm what people think of some teachers. That they are not able to relate to the people because they are arrogant.
As a teacher of Islam a person must be aware that he is there to serve other people not there to serve himself. He has to be ready to speak to people and serve them without them finding him difficult to approach. So be easy to approach and do not be hasty to judge.
The teacher must make time for other people and be prepared to sacrifice his own time for other people. They must realise that they are servant for the people and they have to do their bestfor them.
They must also be aware they will recieve harm from those people who are the most ignorant. They are the ones who have sat in your lectures and not heeded then gone against you on a matter that is minor.
Know that you may not be able answer every question and that you may need to check things up. Never be afriad to say that you do not know, as even this can help a student, sometimes.
Being a teacher, in this time, you will be aware of the sins of people more than the good sometimes you have to be aware of this. Note that people do not value Islamic knowledge anymore and some even belittle knowledge!! So any teacher in this time knows that they are belittled by people who want progress without understanding things correctly so they may want to finish a book without understanding it.
You may have students who are lazy so be prepared to work hard to get them up to scratch and do not turn any student away.
Many teachers are not paid well nor do they recieve the benefits that other professions recieve, even though they deserve more.
A teacher is someone who corrects, changes and puts things right but in many ways people are happy being in darkness and it is too difficult to wake them up.
The teacher must be aware of the area that he is in. If he is not from that area then he must study the area, the people and the circumstances. He must know what he could face and he must know what people are doing and try to figure out a way to reach them.
The teacher must not be proud or boastful this will prevent people taking knowledge from him and this will confirm what people think of some teachers. That they are not able to relate to the people because they are arrogant.
As a teacher of Islam a person must be aware that he is there to serve other people not there to serve himself. He has to be ready to speak to people and serve them without them finding him difficult to approach. So be easy to approach and do not be hasty to judge.
The teacher must make time for other people and be prepared to sacrifice his own time for other people. They must realise that they are servant for the people and they have to do their bestfor them.
They must also be aware they will recieve harm from those people who are the most ignorant. They are the ones who have sat in your lectures and not heeded then gone against you on a matter that is minor.
Know that you may not be able answer every question and that you may need to check things up. Never be afriad to say that you do not know, as even this can help a student, sometimes.
Being a teacher, in this time, you will be aware of the sins of people more than the good sometimes you have to be aware of this. Note that people do not value Islamic knowledge anymore and some even belittle knowledge!! So any teacher in this time knows that they are belittled by people who want progress without understanding things correctly so they may want to finish a book without understanding it.
You may have students who are lazy so be prepared to work hard to get them up to scratch and do not turn any student away.
Many teachers are not paid well nor do they recieve the benefits that other professions recieve, even though they deserve more.
A teacher is someone who corrects, changes and puts things right but in many ways people are happy being in darkness and it is too difficult to wake them up.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Signs of Success
Chapter Sixteen
This will only become clear after a period of time. Unless you have insight then you may be able to tell in a short space of time. You will find the circumstances around your studies easy in that there is not excessive hardship.
Although this is not the only sign. The greatest sign will be when your teacher answers your question without you asking it. The question may be from a question that you may or may not have got the answer for or from a question you are about to ask. This is an amazing sign and if you get it with a particular teacher then stick to that teacher for as long as possible.
There are other signs like you may come across books that no one else has or that you’ll answer a question without realising you knew the answer! Sometimes you may find a book with much blessings and this book was meant to be found by you. Sometimes you may be asked something that you once knew but could not recall then the question is asked and out comes the answer!
Or you may find the time spent studying with a scholar; more beneficial than other times that you study. When you see some signs be thankful for the endless graces of Allah (mighty and majestic) and keep studying.
This will only become clear after a period of time. Unless you have insight then you may be able to tell in a short space of time. You will find the circumstances around your studies easy in that there is not excessive hardship.
Although this is not the only sign. The greatest sign will be when your teacher answers your question without you asking it. The question may be from a question that you may or may not have got the answer for or from a question you are about to ask. This is an amazing sign and if you get it with a particular teacher then stick to that teacher for as long as possible.
There are other signs like you may come across books that no one else has or that you’ll answer a question without realising you knew the answer! Sometimes you may find a book with much blessings and this book was meant to be found by you. Sometimes you may be asked something that you once knew but could not recall then the question is asked and out comes the answer!
Or you may find the time spent studying with a scholar; more beneficial than other times that you study. When you see some signs be thankful for the endless graces of Allah (mighty and majestic) and keep studying.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Knowledge
Chapter Fifteen
Knowledge is the most important thing that you’ll do in your life; you have to treat it like that. You have to give it, its right, it is truth and you have to ready to carry it to people but most of all yourself. Learn the basics, everything that you need everyday, and then affirm yourself in it, until you know it well.
Know that you have to study to get somewhere and you have to keep studying in order to get to your destination. When you know it enough you must teach even just to one person and don’t every turn anyone down.
You must leave things that take you away from knowledge or knowledge will leave you, it’s that simple. You must devote yourself to knowledge it must be your only concern and all your concerns.
People of knowledge need to be sincere in obtaining knowledge, not for show or grandiose or to win arguments or elevate yourself in front of others. It has to be solely for Allah and to revive the religion in yourself first; through the means of practice.
Knowledge is the most important thing that you’ll do in your life; you have to treat it like that. You have to give it, its right, it is truth and you have to ready to carry it to people but most of all yourself. Learn the basics, everything that you need everyday, and then affirm yourself in it, until you know it well.
Know that you have to study to get somewhere and you have to keep studying in order to get to your destination. When you know it enough you must teach even just to one person and don’t every turn anyone down.
You must leave things that take you away from knowledge or knowledge will leave you, it’s that simple. You must devote yourself to knowledge it must be your only concern and all your concerns.
People of knowledge need to be sincere in obtaining knowledge, not for show or grandiose or to win arguments or elevate yourself in front of others. It has to be solely for Allah and to revive the religion in yourself first; through the means of practice.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Instructions of the teacher
Chapter Fourteen
You should try your up most to follow through on any instructions that the teacher has given you. They want the best for you and you can get benefit from things that you may not have initially seen.
If the teacher tells you to do something disliked or Haram, if its haram you should not do it and re-consider your decision to study with him. If its disliked it may be minor or major, avoid if major.
If the teacher says something once you could be forgiven for forgetting and if he repeats it then, you must follow up. He/She is stressing the importance of this, try the action at least once but this action should not upset anyone, nor should cause discomfort to anyone. For example praying Tahajjud, try it but if they say something unreasonable then leave it.
If it's to revise or repeat something, repeat or revise the lesson as much as you can, this can only bring benefit.
One important note is that the scholar will be able to know what's best for the student and this will mean to avoid certain books. Purely because if you read a certain book it may confuse your current knowledge. The example of this is a student of the Shafi school reading texts which include Hanafi rules he may not be able to distinguishing them. This could cause the student to mix between the schools without knowing.
So listen to the teacher and pay attention.
If he does scold you on an issue then do not repeat it and correct yourself.
You should try your up most to follow through on any instructions that the teacher has given you. They want the best for you and you can get benefit from things that you may not have initially seen.
If the teacher tells you to do something disliked or Haram, if its haram you should not do it and re-consider your decision to study with him. If its disliked it may be minor or major, avoid if major.
If the teacher says something once you could be forgiven for forgetting and if he repeats it then, you must follow up. He/She is stressing the importance of this, try the action at least once but this action should not upset anyone, nor should cause discomfort to anyone. For example praying Tahajjud, try it but if they say something unreasonable then leave it.
If it's to revise or repeat something, repeat or revise the lesson as much as you can, this can only bring benefit.
One important note is that the scholar will be able to know what's best for the student and this will mean to avoid certain books. Purely because if you read a certain book it may confuse your current knowledge. The example of this is a student of the Shafi school reading texts which include Hanafi rules he may not be able to distinguishing them. This could cause the student to mix between the schools without knowing.
So listen to the teacher and pay attention.
If he does scold you on an issue then do not repeat it and correct yourself.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Advice on how to ask a scholar a question
how to ask a scholar a question.
This is something I do which it is also a reminder for me.
First of all you should observe the scholar and see if he is receptive to questions, he may be tired and need rest, or the session may be over and people may have to leave that area.
Approach with caution and give Salams
The question: you need to make the question as short as possible, really think about the question and don't ask questions that have been asked before. Listen to lecture or lesson carefully; has the scholar already answered the question. Don't waste the time of the scholar.
Also wait until the subject is completed because your question be answered late on in the lesson. Please also note you may come across scholars who do not like to be asked questions and this can a bearing on the answer that you may recieve. If you come across this then try to ask someone else and do not be offended.
Your question should be clear and he should be able to hear your voice.
After you have asked the question, give him/her time to think and respond, this is the most important advice, because they may give you more than what you asked for. If that’s the case wait listen carefully, they be answering your question indirectly or explaining the bigger picture.
If you don't understand then say that you don't understand
Once they have finished speaking then respond and wait again. Ask now for clarification, if you need to.
In private matters, ask to see the scholar in private and be discreet
Don't speak over the scholars words, let the scholar finish.
After you have asked the question, thank him for the lecture/lesson and his answer.
If you didn’t get the answer that you want and need to ask someone else, do so but don't mention you have spoken to someone else and this should be avoided.
Remember the greatest statement that a student ever asked was, "I don't understand." The best answer was, "I don't know."
So to recap the method:
1. Ask the question
2. Wait
3. Do not interrupt
4. Once they begin speaking let them finish. Do not interrupt, thinking they have misunderstood the question. In fact never interrupt once they have started.
5. Once they have finished, ask for clarification.
6. Thank them and ask for a supplication!
Try this out this method and provide us with some feedback.
When the question has been answered and you have found wanting in the question; ask again but be careful your question may not have an answer or it might be better for you if the question is not answered. Some questions do not have answers because they are flawed, logically.
This is something I do which it is also a reminder for me.
First of all you should observe the scholar and see if he is receptive to questions, he may be tired and need rest, or the session may be over and people may have to leave that area.
Approach with caution and give Salams
The question: you need to make the question as short as possible, really think about the question and don't ask questions that have been asked before. Listen to lecture or lesson carefully; has the scholar already answered the question. Don't waste the time of the scholar.
Also wait until the subject is completed because your question be answered late on in the lesson. Please also note you may come across scholars who do not like to be asked questions and this can a bearing on the answer that you may recieve. If you come across this then try to ask someone else and do not be offended.
Your question should be clear and he should be able to hear your voice.
After you have asked the question, give him/her time to think and respond, this is the most important advice, because they may give you more than what you asked for. If that’s the case wait listen carefully, they be answering your question indirectly or explaining the bigger picture.
If you don't understand then say that you don't understand
Once they have finished speaking then respond and wait again. Ask now for clarification, if you need to.
In private matters, ask to see the scholar in private and be discreet
Don't speak over the scholars words, let the scholar finish.
After you have asked the question, thank him for the lecture/lesson and his answer.
If you didn’t get the answer that you want and need to ask someone else, do so but don't mention you have spoken to someone else and this should be avoided.
Remember the greatest statement that a student ever asked was, "I don't understand." The best answer was, "I don't know."
So to recap the method:
1. Ask the question
2. Wait
3. Do not interrupt
4. Once they begin speaking let them finish. Do not interrupt, thinking they have misunderstood the question. In fact never interrupt once they have started.
5. Once they have finished, ask for clarification.
6. Thank them and ask for a supplication!
Try this out this method and provide us with some feedback.
When the question has been answered and you have found wanting in the question; ask again but be careful your question may not have an answer or it might be better for you if the question is not answered. Some questions do not have answers because they are flawed, logically.
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