President of Wifaq al-Madaris al-Arabiyah Pakistan, President of Jamiah Darul Uloom Karachi, Shaykh al-Islam Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani gave a special address to the students of Darul Uloom Karachi on the night of 15th Muharram 1445AH after Maghrib Salah.
In the following lines, an attempt has been made to present a summary of Hadhrat’s sayings and pieces of advice in the form of points:
- Sadly, the ultimate purpose of all educational systems at this time is to earn as much money as possible.
- The purpose of religious knowledge starts from the edge of the grave. Its real benefit commences after going into the grave.
- What the Noble Qur’an says about our purpose in life is not just to fill our stomachs, but to benefit others is said to be the main purpose of our existence.
- We also do not devalue worldly sciences, but whoever acquires those sciences should do so with the intention of benefiting others.
- The student of religion should have this realisation that Alhamdulillah, Allah Almighty has associated me with such knowledge which is not only useful till the grave, but it is also useful from the grave to within the stages of the Hereafter.
- Some hardship has to be experienced in seeking knowledge. Without hard work, even worldly science is not achieved. One should read the circumstances of the pious predecessors, how they acquired knowledge with such hardship.
- Mufti Muhammad Shafi (Allah have mercy on him) explained the definition of a student, that a student is one in whose mind some issue pertaining to religious knowledge is constantly revolving.
- This knowledge is not so cheap. It demands a price.
- People say regarding us that we roam about in Mercedes cars and we travel first class in planes. Indeed, Allah has bestowed these blessings by His grace, but when were they gained? You have seen this last period of ours. You have not seen the early times. There is a contrast in both times. At that time, even Darul Uloom did not have such facilities.
- The one who grants knowledge is the being of Allah Almighty. No teacher has this power to dissolve [the knowledge] and give [it] to drink. Rather, Allah Almighty has made the teacher a means and Allah Almighty will grant you through the blessing of your seeking.
- It is well known that when the goat of Akhfash was slaughtered, it did not have a brain in it. Imam Akhfash ate its brain by continuously making it listen to his lesson. 😊
- There is no need to despair if you cannot remember the lesson despite trying. You do not have to remember every single detail. Rather, the purpose is that it builds the temperament and the ability to progress is created.
- The benefit of exam is that one becomes concerned that whatever I have read, I revive it.
- If one possesses knowledge, but there is no action, then that knowledge gradually disappears.
- There is a saying that knowledge and action are two brothers. One brother “knowledge” calls the other brother “action”. If he answers, he stays. But if he does not answer, he leaves.
- Abandoning congregational prayers without an excuse is poison.
- Knowledge without action is not knowledge.
- It is difficult to acquire knowledge in the true sense without following the Sunnah.
- The greatest Sunnah to follow is that no one should encounter the slightest pain from oneself.
Compiled by Abdul Muqit Sakharwi
Rendered into English by Mufti Sufyan