What makes you a Muslim Student? What are the qualities found in a true Muslim Student? Is a Muslim Student, a Student who happens to be a Muslim or a Muslim who happens to be a Student. Find out more in this exciting lecture by Dr. Bilal Philips.
Bilal Philips – The True Muslim Student
AI: Summary ©
The "Art of Muslim students" is recognized as the ones who achieve material goals and are engaged in worship. The importance of studying and learning while in school is emphasized, as it is crucial to one's life. Visits to the Prophet's teachings and practicing it are essential for personal growth and achieving practical outcomes. Visits to teachers and learning from their knowledge are essential for personal growth and achieving their goals. Visits to their teacher's teachings and practicing them are essential for personal growth and rewardment.
AI: Summary ©
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wa Salatu was Salam ala rasulillah
All praise is due to a law and mail laws Peace and blessings beyond the Messenger of Allah.
This afternoon, as you have been informed the topic is
the true Muslim Student.
The fact that it is called the true Muslim Student
implies that there is
a fake Muslim Student out there.
Right.
So, who is the true Muslim Student,
and who is the fake Muslim Student,
the fake Muslim Student
is one who is a student
first,
he or she is a student, first and foremost,
the fact that they are Muslim
is irrelevant.
They could have been Christian, Buddhist, Hindu or atheist. But if we believe in God at all,
one who is fundamentally a student
and
in our time
with the globalized
idea of
being a student, in order for one to achieve material goals,
this becomes the main focus.
So, if you are asked, Why are you a student? Well, it's because I want to
complete my education in order to get a job, which will get me so much money, a nice house a car
something like that.
I want a nice life for myself, material life that is the focus of the student.
So, he or she commonly will choose the subjects that they will do their higher studies in based on which one makes the most money.
If you are a doctor, well, doctors make a lot of money.
If you're only a teacher, teachers don't make so much money.
So, you will prefer to be a doctor simply because
it gets you more money
that type of a student
one whose goals
are material
money,
well,
possessions
that type of a student
will do anything
in order to achieve that goal
anything
and so, he or she falls under the general heading of students around the world
who
are noted
for one particular characteristic.
Today,
they are noted for a common characteristic found all over the world among students.
Anybody know what that characteristic is?
Nobody.
The common characteristic is cheating.
students all over the world.
They're known for cheating.
They have developed all kinds of ways and devices etc, in order to cheat.
Because
if you cheat,
then you can get
top marks without making top effort.
So cheating is widespread among students all over the world
a few years back
in Bangladesh,
when the government
Ministry of Education
changed the system of examination
in such a way that it would prevent
students from cheating, they made some changes in the examination procedures, so that students in Bangladesh would not be able to cheat as they did previously.
What happened was that students
led by their student organizations, rioted in the streets, they made demonstrations markings in the street,
marching in the streets demanding the right to cheat.
Bangladesh is a Muslim country,
majority Muslim country,
over 100 million citizens.
And these Muslim students, most of them are Muslims, rioted in the streets
to cheat.
So
this is the consequence,
when
one is not Muslim, first,
the true Muslim Student
is Muslim. First,
he or she
considers everything from an Islamic perspective, from the perspective of being a Muslim, that a Muslim has a particular way of looking at everything.
It may be shared by other communities, other religions, etc. I'm not saying that everything in Islam is totally different from everything else. But as a Muslim.
Muslims have a particular way of looking at this world It has its own world view.
So the Muslim Student
could never have engaged in demonstrating for the right to cheat because prophet muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had said, Man rashanna
fillet salmon, whoever cheats is not a true Muslim.
Whoever cheats is not a true Muslim, this is the sign of a fake Muslim.
So, the Muslim Student has this other perspective, that perspective begin
with
the view that he or she holds regarding study in general
and Islam.
Study
is worship.
It's a form of worship.
As a student,
you are engaged in a bada. you're engaged in worship of God by being a student.
And just as any other acts of worship, requires has certain conditions that you must fulfill
Being a student is no different.
So the Muslim Student is Muslim, first and foremost.
He or she could have been a teacher could have been a doctor, a carpenter,
a garbage collector could have been anything taxi driver, bus driver anything
because they are Muslims first.
There are Muslims first.
So, in this
view
of
study of seeking knowledge being a bother
It is not just my opinion it's not something I'm saying for myself.
Because, of course, you know, in Islam, whenever we make a claim with regards to the religion, we must have proof for it.
They can't just say anything we like anything we feel.
So, if we look back in the Sunnah, the way of Rasulullah sallallahu wasallam. We find that he said
tala Boleyn me,
familia da da da cola Muslim
seeking knowledge is Florida. What is Florida
for either
obligatory Yes,
from Florida,
it is an obligation, not just an obligation, but a religious obligation
on every Muslim,
whether male or female, it is a religious obligation.
So, whatever is a religious obligation to fulfill it is a Baba
is worship.
Of course.
Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu wasallam had said,
Men Salah, kata de Haan,
yell temi, Sufi and men.
Yeah, so hello, no, but if any lagenda whoever takes the path in which he or she seeks knowledge, or law makes the path to paradise, easy for them.
And whatever gets you to Paradise is a part of a bad day, it is a bad day, it is the worship of a law which will take you ultimately to paradise.
So that's why we say
you as students have to consider your period of studentship while you are a student, you have to consider this period, a period of a badass of worshipping Allah
and all of the conditions that are connected to a bada we have to keep them in mind as we
pass through this period as a student
and there are many other
statements of the Prophet sallallahu wasallam
supporting this further and further,
but
I will
move on to
another point, which is that we should look at
knowledge
as a gift from Allah.
We know it is stated in the Quran. Why I love my either my asthma akula
Allah taught Adam
the names of everything.
The foundation by which we are able to name things and categorize them so we can build on the knowledge
with further knowledge.
This is a gift from God.
It separates us from the other creatures
One of the factors which separates us, and gives us
superiority as well as control over the rest of the creatures.
So, when we approach this gift of knowledge, as we're in school here studying,
we have to as Muslims keep certain principles in mind.
First and foremost,
we have to be able to distinguish between
true and false knowledge.
Because there are people
promoting in this world, some knowledge, which is false.
And that knowledge, of course, leads to misguidance.
So, as we approach our studies, we should be consciously trying to distinguish between what in fact is true knowledge, and what in fact is false.
For example,
one of the concepts which are part and parcel of false knowledge
is the categorization of human being into different races.
For example,
categorization of people into different races.
This came about at a particular point in time
and had its own agenda behind it. But, as Muslims, we recognize, all human beings belong to one race,
the race of humankind.
That's it.
But in books, you will find statements that such a such people are Mongoloid, race, caucasoid, race, *, race, etc. But we don't recognize this, this is false. This is the false categorization and classification. We are one race
of humankind.
And a lot of left signs for us to know that
because
if one if a person
from
Northern Europe
Why does white blond hair blue eyes
that person had
a
positive blood
and the rest of the family had
all or whatever.
And they were in need of a blood transfusion to save their lives.
Their own family
born of the same parents, etc, could not save their lives with their own blood. But somebody from Africa
who has black,
black hair,
dark brown eyes, the total opposite end of the spectrum.
He has a plus blood his blood can save
that Northern European
What is that?
What does it mean? It means he is closer to that person than his own family.
So we're all one family.
So this idea of races is false.
So we have to be conscious, because there are things which have become accepted.
People have
passed them off as facts.
When they in fact,
are ideas, theories etc
which
When tested, don't pass the test.
So after distinguishing between true and false knowledge,
we have to also distinguish between useful and useless knowledge.
There is some knowledge out there, which is true, but it's useless.
It is of no real benefit.
Or there are other areas of priority
that when you're seeking knowledge, you should focus on, for example,
the search for extra terrestrial life,
spending millions and billions to put rocket ships on Mars,
to find out the composition of dirt on Mars,
when in the same
country where these rocket ships have been sent from, there are millions of people who are homeless, living in the street.
So, in that circumstance, we have to say,
the knowledge of the composition of dirt on Mars, or Venus or the moon
is useless knowledge.
We have situations on earth here, that that money could be better spent on alleviating the suffering the difficulties of our fellow human beings here.
So
as a Muslim Student,
choosing the areas where he or she is going to study
you would then make that distinction, that area of study, what am I going to get out of it? What is there coming out of it, that will benefit humankind?
If we can't see it,
then it's better to go into an area where in fact, you can benefit others
and Prophet Mohammed, may God's peace and blessings be upon him used to make the DA Allahumma inni ours will be coming elmen
lionpaw or Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge, which is of no benefit,
use less knowledge.
So, the Muslim students he has these other considerations,
he does not function on the concept of knowledge for the sake of knowledge, this is something you will hear coming out of Western globalized
knowledge systems knowledge for the sake of knowledge, no, that is not the Islamic approach. It has never been it has always been knowledge for the benefit of that knowledge.
So this distinction has to be made.
And furthermore,
even when we choose the
useful knowledge
as Muslims, we have to consider
is this knowledge, appropriate knowledge
because you have useful knowledge, but some of it is not appropriate
based on Muslim or Islamic criteria,
Islamic understandings for example,
there's one of you told me
young man
I want to be a doctor. Know
studying medicine.
useful knowledge beneficial.
Okay.
So what area of knowledge are you planning to specialize in?
So you tell me gynecology.
I say no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. That's not
appropriate for you.
That's not appropriate area for you to specialize in. As a male, Muslim.
Any doctor is given knowledge of gynecology. So in cases of emergency, you can handle those situations, but to go and specialize in gynecology
as a male
everybody knows what gynecology is.
anybody has any doubts about what gynecology is?
Right? We know in our society in Islam, Islam teaches women to cover themselves up.
In gynecology, the doctor instructs the woman to unclog herself, take her clothes off. So it is not appropriate for a Muslim man to be working as a gynecologist. That's his job. That's for the women. If the woman said we want to be doctor say,
what a gynecologist, do it. We need gynecologists, female gynecologist.
Okay, you understand this idea?
This is a considerations you know, if you are just a student, you're not the Muslims today, just a student, that doesn't matter. Because for you, you're going to say, gynecology gets me the most money. So I'm going to be a gynecologist.
You have a different consideration.
Similarly, on the women's side, you know, if a woman said Listen, I want to be a doctor, but I want to specialize in prostate cancer.
You might not know what prostate cancer is about.
But basically it has to do with male private parts.
So we say that's not appropriate for you, sister.
Though, don't get into that one, okay. You as a doctor, again, you will have some general knowledge about it. basic knowledge, but don't specialize in that area leave that for the man.
Okay. Similarly,
you understand? This is the idea we have to be conscious, not just anything goes. Right.
So,
as a Muslim Student,
we have to be clear on our goals. As we said, it was knowledge for the sake of its application, how can it be applied? How will it benefit people? Because as the Prophet sallallahu wasallam said, Hey, do not And Pharaoh whom, Linda, the best of people, best of human beings, are those most beneficial to other human beings. Pedro comanda Allah for Allah Allah, best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others.
Not just those who learn the Quran
and learning the Quran again. Sometimes people miss understand this statement of the Prophet Muhammad says on them, it just doesn't mean memorizing the Quran. Because that's what a lot of people think, those who memorize the Quran and teach others to memorize the best know, those who learn the Quran. And there's a difference between learning and memorizing, memorizing can help you to learn.
But it's not the same as learning
because you can memorize the whole Quran and not understand a single word in it.
What's the point?
What is the point
for you that Quran has become useless knowledge.
So it is very important those of you that may be engaged in memorization programs to know that the goal is to understand the Quran. To learn it means to understand it, memorize it as part of the learning process, and be able to apply it. That's the goal is not just to have the verses in your head.
And
there's a very famous statement of
he'd been Massoud, one of the companions of the Prophet when this regard in which he said we used to learn 10 verses of the Quran at a time.
And we didn't move on to another 10 until we understood what we're in those 10 we tried
To implement it.
That's how they learn the Quran.
And the mother of a famous scholar
of the 10th century, Sufi piano theory.
He narrated that his mother had said to him, when he sets out at 14 years old, he set out to go and seek knowledge as a student, he set out to go and find a teacher and sit under him and learn. She said to him, son,
if you write 10 words,
and your faith has not increased, then check yourself. Check your intentions.
What are you doing? Why are you doing
so, knowledge ultimately should increase us in a man in our faith?
Because all of the knowledge which is true knowledge, ultimately comes from Allah as we said,
in terms of the method of the
true Muslim Student.
It is based on hard work
making one's maximum effort at studying. It is not. As some students asked me when I visit various institutions around examination time,
they asked me,
Dr. Bill, can you teach us a day
to make sure we will pass?
Can you teach us a supplication? especial supplication? You say to God, when you say it, you
tell them no, no, no, no, there is no such law. There's no such application.
This is not the way it's not Islam is not like magic. In Abracadabra, you say this special word and things happen. Open. Sesame in a cave opens. No, no, no, no.
Slam is very real deals with practical life.
So it's about making your maximum effort. As the Prophet sallallahu Sallam said,
in the law, your head woman, aka deikun, either Amina Milan,
and you tener la love from each and every one of you, whenever you do anything, you do it to the best of your ability. It's hard work.
You do the best. And you're honest.
You don't cheat.
Even if your best friend asked you to help. It's not how it's cheating.
No matter what name you call it, it's still cheating.
And it's not allowed.
You do your best. You don't cheat others, you don't help others cheat. In fact, if you know of students cheating, it is your duty.
Though people might say you're a snitch, it is your duty before a law
after telling them not to, if they persist to inform
your teachers, your administrators to stop it.
If you know that other students are cheating, for you to just ignore it and say, Okay, I'm not gonna cheat. I'm not gonna say anything. No. Your silence is support.
It is support. So it's not permissible for you.
To allow cheating to take place, you work hard.
You do your best.
You're honest.
You respect your teachers. This is one of the principles of the prophet may God's peace and blessings be upon him taught us that those who don't respect their teachers, it's not again to Muslims. If you don't respect your teachers, you can't learn from them.
You can't really learn from them. So respect given to a teacher is part of your ibadah respecting them for the knowledge that God has given them.
And as I said, As a student, you have to be open minded, so that you will be able to make those distinctions I spoke about earlier.
And then finally, as a student, you have a responsibility
You have a responsibility
or responsibility, first and foremost, to use your knowledge in a way which is pleasing to Allah.
Use it in a way which is pleasing to Allah.
To be able to do that, you must have knowledge of what is pleasing to Allah.
So it is not enough just to major in biology, or physics or maths or whatever.
You need to also know
your deen you need to know Islam, so that that knowledge that you gain, you will be able to use it in a way which is pleasing to Allah. As long as you use it in a way which is pleasing to Allah, then it is a badass. So your work, after graduating, your work in the world becomes another aspect of worshiping God.
If what you do is pleasing to Allah than it is worship, that's one of the definitions of worship, doing what is pleasing to God, and avoiding what is displeasing to God, this is worship.
Secondly,
of course,
you seek to work to also benefit yourself, I'm not saying who should counsel that that's not important anymore. Sure, it should benefit yourself too. But benefit yourself again, in a halaal way.
Benefit yourself in a way, you have to be able to distinguish between halal and haram, what is permissible, and what is forbidden.
So that you benefit yourself, but you do so again, in a way which is
Islamic. Thirdly, you have a duty to benefit society.
Because the opportunity you have to study here, for example, and this school is noted for its great results.
You all are distinguished amongst high school graduates in
the country, in this part of the country.
This is the reputation that the school has, is it not?
Or am I mistaken?
It's true.
Okay. So
then
this opportunity that you have,
is
a blessing from God, from Allah.
It is an opportunity which others don't have.
It is an opportunity, which others don't have.
You didn't choose which family you are born in.
Right? When the angel took your spirit from the barossa
and place it in the fetus.
You didn't have any choice you didn't know I want to be
you couldn't
you were not able. So this was God's decision.
This is a laws destiny, which has put you where you are, and the family you are in.
In the
school that you got into
with the teachers that you have the opportunities that you have here. This is all from a laws, destiny.
So
we have to recognize our duty to the community that produced us,
from our parents, to our neighbors, to the community as a whole. We are a product of that community. And we owe something to them.
So when you graduate and you start to work,
what you should do is to give some of your time, freely back to the community,
on your own maybe through an organization
Whoever, but to give some of your time back to the community, this is how you give thanks to Allah for the gift that He has given you to be here
to share some of your knowledge, your skills with the community, without any charge.
So that
we know this charity, that we be charitable back to our community.
And then
finally, the last requirement
is that we convey the knowledge that we learn to others,
we don't hide it, keep it to ourselves, don't make others aware of it. Why? Because then they will compete with us. You know, this is not the Islamic way. You gain knowledge, you share that knowledge, you strive to share that knowledge. And that's why I would advise you, all of you here, when you go into studies,
shoot for the top.
Try to be
experts,
don't just think, okay, I'm just gonna go and get my basic degree and get out and work if you can, if the opportunity is there, go all the way to the top,
get a PhD,
get a specialization in medicine,
whatever fields be the top why. Because if you are at the top, then you can change things.
You can improve things much better than when you're at the bottom. When you're at the bottom, you just do what you're told, you come in you work you're under people who are at the top, they are the ones who set up the systems and you just work in the system.
So my advice to you is strive to complete your education as far as humanly possible, so that you can change things, improve things, you know, in the society, there's so many things which are not right.
There are deficiencies around in the society, how do we correct them? How do we change them by
applying that knowledge passing on that knowledge that we would get from being at the top to be able to change things? So
just coming back to where we began.
We said there are two types of students.
In Arabic. It's called Taliban.
But we're not talking about Afghanistan.
One student's a taalib
who is
a student who happens to be a Muslim
and the other is a Muslim, who happens to be a student.
These are the two
you have to decide
who you are, who you want to be.
And I hope that you will decide to be Muslims who happen to be students.
But as Muslims who happen to be students, you will do your best.
You will do your best. Knowing that in doing your best. You are worshipping Allah in the best way that you can as a student