How do you know if you should be an alim?>

[Z_Ahmed]

In the past couple of months i've been in a dilemma as to whether to become an alim or not.
Theres a few masjids which do a part time alim course which is ideal for people who are at university or working such as myself, i'm currently in 2nd yr Uni. But what does it take to become an alim? Could anyone do it? The reason i ask is because from a young age ive always had a natural inclination towards the deen ie. praying consistently, reciting qur'an (haven't hifzed) and just doing zikr, though in the past year or so after going with TJ for a while my iman has got stronger but i'm still uncertain if that qualfies as a basis to become an alim, as that is a honourable position and not just a title, and you are responsible in helping to educate people, and then theres the issue of pride aswell as an alim posseses in depth knowledge compared to the practicing layman. So how do you know if your fit to become one or not? I pray mostly in congregation around 4/5 prayers, keep away from bad company, alhumdullalah i have kept the sunnah of the beloved messenger Prophet Muhammad (saws), the beard. But still i feel i'm like incapable and not worthy of studying the deen as when i look at the scholars of the past, especially from the deoband era these were amazing and exceptional people, our era is nothing to them, let alone comparing ourselves to the earlier times of the sahabas.
Can anyone advise me?

[Tempest Desh]

Salams,

Ultimately guidance comes from Allah (regardless of whether or not anyone admits to this fact). However, my advice to you would be to keep up in your daily/basic duties to Allah (namaz, avoiding the prohibited things, etc.) and gradually increase yourself in knowledge of the deen, during your free time (as far as studying the deen is concerned. Keep up with your studies and get through your college/university education. Trust me, if you do indeed become an alim, imagine what a greater source of benefit and a greater servant of Allah(swt) you'll be, having that education, on top of ijaza to teach the deen. We need the kinds of scholars these days who know how to survive and prosper in this day and age, are 'with it' so to speak...and yet, are still strong in their faith. morals, and practice. I myself am trying to tow this line, the middle path...and I'd suggest attempting that in your life. In time, Allah(swt) will, insha'Allah, open a door for you, to knowledge of the deen required to become an alim. Until then, don't forsake your education at your university. That's just my two cents (and God knows better). Good luck.

Wa Salam,

Tempest Desh

[byellow200]

First advice i will give you aim to become an alim, this is a very good niyyat of yours. Give me some information about your current course i.e how long and are you going to finish it. which city you live in. basicaly all these types of info and i inshallah will give you advice on your situation.

[Z_Ahmed]

First advice i will give you aim to become an alim, this is a very good niyyat of yours. Give me some information about your current course i.e how long and are you going to finish it. which city you live in. basicaly all these types of info and i inshallah will give you advice on your situation.

I'm doing Optometry, currently in my 2nd year and nearly finished the year. I have 2 years left + 1 year pre registration, I'm currently 19 and live in Glasgow.

[byellow200]

I'm doing Optometry, currently in my 2nd year and nearly finished the year. I have 2 years left + 1 year pre registration, I'm currently 19 and live in Glasgow.

Okay then
since you are going to be in uni for 2-3 years i recommend that you take up Mufti Yusuf Mullan Sahibs shariah program online course. (which i am also personally doing). I will type more about it later inshallah when i have time but you can check out the website at http://www.shariahprogram.ca/
within these 2-3 years you can get a good grasp of arabic then you can skip about 2-3 years in a conventional dars-nizami madrassa.
where are you from originally and do you know any other languages?

[Z_Ahmed]

I'm originally from Pakistan, i have a basic grasp of urdu as in i can read it but not like a pro. And i've got a very basic knowledge of arabic grammer as in nouns,adjectives,prepositions,pronouns and verbs.

[byellow200]

thats great. try to improve your urdu as well it will be of great use inshallah.
the shariah program basically is a two year program. the two years will get you to about the third year in a conventional darul uloom. whats great about this is that they only concentrate on arabic related material especially in the first year.
so the first six months is sarf and nahe then the second six months is is hidaytun nahw. then in the second year they concentrate on balagha tafseer and mantiq and so on. This march the corse shall be starting again so please go to the website and read every thing on the website also go to the forum and make an account and you can get answers from a wider variety of people who are much further than me in the course.
let me know when you check the website out and if you have any questions.
you should do some background reading as well for general info such as
taleemul haq
beshti zawar
if your from pakistan then i think that you should do these 2-3 years in uni as well as this shariah course on the side then go to karachi where you will find some very good madrassas. This shariah program is very good by the way. in just three weeks you will be reading an arabic text and in the seven months you will be reading hidayatun nahw which is a full on arabic nahw book (taught in the second year in conventional darul ulooms!!!)
mala buda minhu
and many more

[mov]

A.a.w.w

Good question, i didnt know as well weather to be one or not, but im studying alim course in the evenings.

Its hard as i have to uni, then madrasah during the day but inshallah it will be worth it.

[byellow200]

A.a.w.w

Good question, i didnt know as well weather to be one or not, but im studying alim course in the evenings.

Its hard as i have to uni, then madrasah during the day but inshallah it will be worth it.

where r u studying

[mov]

where r u studying

In manchester, Old Trafford