In the Name of Allaah…
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have Mercy on him) was asked* for his advice to students during exam time. He replied:
We advise all students:
[1] to be serious and dedicated,
[2] to review their lessons day and night,
[3] to cooperate with each other in solving problems,
[4] to ask Allaah for success and help,
[5] to take heed of disobedience,
[6] to be dutiful in the performance of the prayers, taking care to offer them in congregation, Fajr prayer and the rest,
[7] to be dutiful to their parents,
[8] to keep family ties,
[9] and to give their wives their rights, among other things.
[10] As we advise the students also to be dutiful to Allaah (have Taqwaa),
[11] to stand upright (be dedicated, have Istiqaamah) in their religion,
[12] to take care of the duties imposed by Allaah,
[13] and to abandon what Allaah has forbidden.
All of these things will help them be successful in their lessons. They must all be dutiful to Allaah and take care of the things Allaah has ordered, like the prayers, etc. They must work hard to be dutiful to their parents and give them their rights. They must also be fair to their wives (if they are married) and give them their rights.
[14] They must also be mindful of their time and not waste it by listening to rumors that have no benefit.
[15] Their time is to be spent reviewing (their lessons) alone or with their brothers (in groups).
Source: His Fatwaa Collection (9/41-42), the numbering of the 15 points is from me.
*The question was general and the answer was general, in a place where students study both Islaam and worldly fields of knowledge. Studying hard for exams and trying to achieve high marks is an implementation of the generality of doing things with proficiency, that which our Religion encourages: “Verily Allaah has prescribed proficiency in all matters.“
Whoever does that for Allaah’s sake alone is earning Allaah’s Favor…
Whoever does that merely to seek fame and notoriety is on a path to the Fire…
and Allaah knows best.
Written by: Moosaa Richardson
ST Archives – Originally published 01-29-2010
JazaakAllaahu khayraa for this useful advice. Do correct me if I’m mistaken but the above quote (Verily Allaah has prescribed proficiency in all matters) appears to be this part of a hadeeth:
إن الله كتب الإحسان على كل شيء
which can be found in Saheeh Muslim #1955 according to an explanation of Nawawee’s 40 Hadeeth that I have.
May Allaah grant us towfeeq in implementing this advice well. It’s sad to see many falling short with regard to some of this advice, particularly no. 14 (wasting time listening to rumours that have no benefit) among others. May Allaah fill our time with actions and statements pleasing to Him, aameen.
With Allaah lies all success.
Saheeh Muslim #1955 is a correct reference for the hadeeth, may Allaah bless you.
Jazaakallaahu khayran for this. If you have any advice to share on effective note-taking during classes it would be appreciated.
asallaamu alaykum ..Eid mubaraak taqabalallahu minna wa minkum …please talking about the study of worldly knowledge … recently I read an article on free mixing in the university and many salafee scholars discuss on the issue and regard it as prohibited to attend such institutions of learning free mixing.I am not doubting the scholars or the evidence they brought from Qur’an or sunnah..but I need your advice because in my country all most all the institution of learning are mixed of male and female students and in my country without this qualifications someone can’t get meaningful employment
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Mixed gender gatherings are not permissible in Islaam, and this applies to schools and universities as well. A person in your situation seeks a specific fatwaa about your case from a qualified scholar. Be careful of what many people do, they give themselves a fatwaa, saying: “Its a necessity, so its excused.” And Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaah.
What would you advise the one who is very zealous in seeking knowledge, memorizing Qur’aan, optional fasts etc.
However he is very lazy when in prayer, in goodness to parents, and in lowering the gaze.
What steps can he take to rectify himself?? It is as though the knowledge is taking him further away from Allaah عز وجل
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Good companionship can direct him to how to compensate for his weak points and work to improve them. We all are strong in some things and weak in others. Good companions are our mirrors, that show us who we really are. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamu alaykum Ustadh Moosa. I pray that you and your family are all well.
When it comes exam time, GCSE and A-Level exams are extremely important in the UK. Im not sure of the equivalent in Canada but these exams hold a lot of importance. If you miss the exam then you cannot re-take the exam unless you are physically not able to be there such as a being hospitalized etc.
So what is the ruling when it comes to Eid being on the same day as an exam. Especially since the Eid prayer is at 8:30ish and the exams start at 9pm.
Can we make up the Eid prayer after the exam in not what is the ruling in our situation?
Barakallahu feekum. May Allah grant you a good end and increase you in virtue.
From your brother,
Abu Bakr
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. So long as you have freedom of religion in the UK, hold to it. Submit a letter to the appropriate body explaining your religious need to attend your annual ‘Eed Prayer, and seek exemption from test on that day. Ask for an official answer, and let them feel that you may consider legal recourse if needed. Remind them that asking a Muslim to be tested on their ‘Eed would be like asking a Christian to be tested on Christmas Day. May Allaah aid you in establishing your Islamic identity in all spheres of your life.