Question:

Assalaamu ‘alaikum

Respected ‘Ulama

Recently, I’ve noticed that there is a lot of Islamic knowledge that I do not know due to leaving madrasah at a very young age. I find that it is much easier for boys to learn about Deen and gain reformation through going out in jamaat or through attaching themselves to a shaikh, etc. However, for girls it is more difficult.

I would just like to enquire as to how girls should reform themselves in this instance, where they find it difficult and embarrassing to go back to madrasah at such an old age, and they find it extremely difficult to find and make friends with people who are good company and will help with one’s reformation.

Jazakallah

Answer:

Bismihi Ta‘ala

Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barkaatuh

Respected Sister in Islam

If you undertake the following, insha-Allah you too will gain tremendous knowledge and be able to tread the path of reformation.

1. Daily commence the ta’leem of the Fazaail-e-Aa’maal and Fazaail-e-Sadaqaat. This alone is an encyclopaedia of knowledge. Daily read from one or two different sections. Mark off where you stopped and continue from there the next day. When all the sections are done, recommence from the first section and continue in the same manner.

2. There should be some lady in the community who can assist you to study the Behishti Zewar. Ask her to give you 30 minutes once a week. Whatever you learn in that lesson, revise it for the rest of the week. Those sections that are very clear and easily understood, you may read up on your own.

3. Undertake a study of the following kitaabs to further enhance your knowledge:

a) Tafseer ‘Uthmaani of ‘Allamah Shabbeer Ahmad ‘Uthmaani (rahimahullah) or Ma‘aariful Quraan of Mufti Muhammad Shafee’ (rahimahullah).

b) Ma‘aariful Hadeeth by Moulana Manzoor Nu’maani (rahimahullah).

If you have the slightest doubt regarding any aspect, refer to an experienced and learned ‘Aalim.

4. Set a program of daily aa’maal, such as tilaawat, tasbeehaat, du‘aa, etc., then keep up to this time table as far as possible.

5. Fix a time daily (15 – 20 minutes) to read the books of one of the senior Akaabir. We recommend that you read the books of Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahimahullah) – (http://www.khanqah.org), and Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahimahullah) – (http://www.yunuspatel.co.za).

If you wish to read any other book and are not sure about it’s authenticity or suitability, enquire first.

6. Once or twice a week listen to a programme of any of the senior ‘Ulama or Mashaayikh whom you feel compatible with in terms of receiving advice and guidance. This could be done via audio streaming or by listening to recordings of previous programmes. We recommend, among others, the following;

a) Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee Saheb (http://alhaadi.org.za)

b) Hazrat Moulana Abdul Hameed Saheb (http://www.ka.org.za)

c) Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas Patel Saheb (http://ilyaspatel.co.za and http://alhaadi.org.za), especially the weekly ladies tarbiyat programme. The recordings of these ladies tarbiyat programmes are generally posted on our website as well.

7. You may also, with the permission of your father/mahram, correspond with any of the senior Mashaayikh and take their advice on issues that affect you.

8. Diligently attend the weekly ladies ta’leem programme that is held in your area. Also attend other programmes that are conducted by reliable ‘Ulama.

May Allah Ta‘ala assist you in your pursuit of the path of righteousness.

Answered by:

Uswatul Muslimah Panel of ‘Ulama