Studying in Mauritania - Looking for people to share experiences

[Al-Faruqi]

I would like to get in touch with people who studied Islam in Mauritania, especially those who studied at Tuwamarat, the location of the esteemed Shaykh Murabit al-Hajj (hafizahullâh).

Basically I have some questions:

1) What are the strong points of this place? (i.e. is it Fiqh, Arabic, etc..)

2) Which subjects can be studied there?

3) Is it useful for a Hanafi to go there for study? In other words: Which benefits could a Hanafi derive from studying there?

[Sulaiman84]

One of my teachers in hifth was Mauritanian and his memory in Qur'an was phenomenal.

The commonly read qiraat in Mauritania is Warsh from Naafi' unlike Hafs from 'Asim which most Muslims around the world learn.

I would say a person following Hanafi fiqh can benefit from them in hifth and the science of qiraat in Warsh.

[hope1]

I would like to get in touch with people who studied Islam in Mauritania, especially those who studied at Tuwamarat, the location of the esteemed Shaykh Murabit al-Hajj (hafizahullâh).

Basically I have some questions:

1) What are the strong points of this place? (i.e. is it Fiqh, Arabic, etc..)

2) Which subjects can be studied there?

3) Is it useful for a Hanafi to go there for study? In other words: Which benefits could a Hanafi derive from studying there?

Assalamu alaikum,

I believe Mufti Husain studied there for 6 months. He can tell you more about them.

In my opinion after hearing and reading (and these may or may not be the truth), their strong points are in memorizing stuff. You hear their ulema memorized the whole of Bukhari, Muslim, various dictionaries and other books.

Mufti Husain said they speak a different dialect of Arabic which the Indian madaris are not used to. Also I don't think they have a lot of exposure to current fiqhi issues facing the Muslims and as a result don't do so much research into complex modern issues that I see South African and Pakistani madaris do. I highly doubt you can learn Hanafi fiqh there and as for the study of hadith and how masalas are taken out from them - then the Deobandi madaris are the most renowned for it.

I heard from ulema one place where the Deobandi madaris don't focus on much (not that they don't do at all) in the 6 'alim course is analysis of the chains of hadith. I don't know if it is strong in Mauritania but it might be strong in other Arab countries, maybe Mauritania not sure.

Mauritania might be good for tarbiyya if people can bear the hardship of living in the desert. Also I hear they practice upon the relied upon opinions of the Maliki madhab unlike other places where they pick and choose.

[Sunni_Student786]

From what I've heard from multiple channels, Mauritanian Shuyukh in general are supposed to be incredibly strong when it comes to language.

As for them speaking a different dialect of Arabic, if you are talking about the improper, informal version of the language, then yes, it is different. However, if you are talking about real, pure aka "Fusha" Arabic, that is the same everywhere and the Mauritanian Ulema are masters of it.

[London786]

I've met some people who studied there. It seems like it is a quite an over hyped place....according to them. It is good for a few things...e.g. memorizing, language etc...so if someone has an intention of memorizing a text mauritania would be the best place. However life is pretty difficult, the tarbiyah in many places is not that great...and the biggest problem is that you hardly spend time with the teacher...its more like 5-10 mins per day...the rest of the time you memorize by yourself. With regards to having access to many books, referencing them etc then mauritania is not such a place....nor is there such an empahasis on research etc. It's more about memorizing.....so if you want to memorize quraan, a hadeeth book...or any such text then mauritania would be nice...mashallah...

[godilali]

I concur with london786, except for the tarbiyyah part. I think the tarbiyyah one receives in Mauritania is probably unparalleled.

I met one brother who was doing his final year in the college of shariah in al-Azhar. He had previously studied in Azadville and Mauritania. He said it is basically overrated in terms of seeking knowledge, but is good for tahfiz.

Friends of mine know another brother who studied in Mauritania, Nadwah, and is currently in al-Azhar. He also stated the same thing.

[London786]

bro I can only comment on what I've been told by genuine brothers. I have heard that the tarbiyah is not that great. People chuck rubbish everywhere....urinate etc everywhere.....But obviously this is not the case everywhere....It seems like cleanliness is not that great...I mean it's difficult in the middle of the desert. Anyway tarbiyah wise it's always very difficult....It's easy to teach people ilm but to try and make them human beings is very difficult....

[Abu Salma]

Blogs by brothers studying in Mauretania:

Nabbaghiya Mahdhara (has contact details etc.)
http://nabbaghiya.blogspot.com/

Back to the Root
http://hottestguruzone.blogspot.com/

[Al-Faruqi]

for your helpful suggestions brothers.

I think it is obvious that a Hanafi would not go there to study Hanafi texts or to do research.

The reason why I am interested is because the place is very remote (similar to the Muslim Village), thus away from fitnah and a lot of worldly distractions. Furthermore living a simple life in a difficult environment is inshâ Allâh good for the tarbiyyah of your nafs and clearing your mind of this worldly infatuation which is rampant in Europe.

Also, the oral culture of learning and transmitting knowledge is very very interesting. Something which should be revived among the Muslims, wa Allâhu a'lam.

[maneatinglizard]

Back to the Root
http://hottestguruzone.blogspot.com/

I thought the Mauritanian Shuyookh don't celebrate Mawlid?