Question:

I am currently a senior-year doctoral student in Biomedical Engineering, with a strong passion for Islamic Studies. I hold two bachelor-level diplomas so far: a baccalaureate in Bioengineering and an engineering degree in Electronics. Recently, I had the privilege of obtaining a traditional diploma (Ijāzāt) in Hanafi Fiqh from a highly respected scholar from Syria who was visiting my city due to his son’s residence here.

My interest in Islamic Studies has continued to grow, and I am now seeking opportunities to delve deeper into the subject. While searching for suitable programs, I came across Darul Uloom Online, which particularly intrigued me. It offers online programs, which is ideal for me as I currently do not have plans to relocate in the near future. While I currently reside in the US temporarily, I hope to settle in the Midwest for a couple of years next year. Although I am dedicated and willing to devote the necessary time to pursue my studies, personal, family, and financial circumstances make relocating challenging.

I sought guidance from my Shaykh regarding the credibility of Darul Uloom Online, but unfortunately, he was unfamiliar with the institution and couldn’t provide any insights. Additionally, he recently traveled back to the Middle East with his son, so I haven’t found anyone else in my vicinity who could assist me.

Therefore, I kindly request your assistance in verifying this platform’s authenticity and educational quality. Alternatively, I would greatly appreciate any recommendations you might have for reputable online or offline Islamic education platforms that are easily accessible.

In addition to these questions, I am also curious about the validity of online education for becoming a scholar of the deen of Islam. Are there any specific jurisprudential rulings on this matter, as my Shaykh always suggested to seek heart-to-heart knowledge transfer?

JazakAllah Khair, for your help, and I eagerly await your guidance. May Allah bless you abundantly. I wholeheartedly solicit your blessings.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

First and foremost, we commend you for your deep zeal and interest in studying the sacred sciences. The one who treads a path to seek sacred knowledge, Allah Ta’ala, opens up the doors of guidance and paradise for him, as is mentioned in a hadith, narrated in the Sahih of Imam Muslim ^rh.

As for your question about the validity of online education—this varies depending on individual circumstances. For those who need to learn the absolute essentials and fundamentals of Islam but have no other means, online Islamic education is an excellent resource that can help them gain knowledge in order to avoid mistakes while performing their daily obligatory duties, such as purification and prayer. By having access to sound knowledge, they can ensure their worship is valid and aligned with Islamic principles.

As for recommending specific online avenues, we do not have detailed information; thus, we cannot comment on that in favor of or against.

There are, however, a few important points that need to be understood in order to grasp this matter better. Firstly, it is important to note that becoming “a scholar of Islam” is not something that can be attained simply by completing a course, whether online or in person. True scholarship and attaining the status of being one of the heirs of the prophets is a gift and endowment from Allah Almighty, which requires tremendous sacrifice, piety, hard work, and years of experience.

Imam al-Shafi’ī ^rh., said:

أَخي لَن تَنالَ العِلمَ إِلّا بِسِتَّةٍ   سَأُنبيكَ عَن تَفصيلِها بِبَيانِ

ذَكاءٌ وَحِرصٌ وَاِجتِهادٌ وَبُلغَةٌ    وَصُحبَةُ أُستاذٍ وَطولُ زَمانِ

My dear brother, you will never attain knowledge, except by fulfilling 6 requirements,
I will inform you of them in detail, with elaboration,
(1) Intelligence, (2) keenness, (3) diligence, (4) means,
(5) the company of a qualified teacher, and (6) an extended period of time.

This poem highlights the absence of two critical aspects in many online learning programs, which are personal and heart-to-heart connection with a qualified teacher, and extended periods of time spent in the company of such a scholar. In many online learning platforms, neither the teacher nor the student experiences the presence of the other.

This lack of face-to-face and in-person interaction between students and teachers deprives students of learning the proper mannerisms and etiquettes of knowledge and piety—which can only be gained and experienced physically in person. Additionally, teachers remain unaware of their students’ personal practices and habits, which hinders their ability to provide proper tarbiya, or guidance and development, essential for creating a true student of sacred knowledge and a future scholar of Islam.

Online learning is undeniably a valuable resource for those who don’t have access to traditional educational institutions. Many individuals lack local qualified scholars or proper Islamic institutions in their locality. For those who have recently embraced Islam and are the only Muslim in their town or vicinity, these online institutions will no doubt prove to be greatly beneficial.

It does, however, fall short when it comes to the spiritual transference of knowledge, which requires a heart-to-heart connection between the teacher and the student. As your teacher rightly suggested, a person can benefit from online learning, but for true spiritual growth, a personal connection with the teacher is essential.

We suggest that for higher education, in order to attain the optimum spiritual and educational benefit, it might be better to wait until you move to the Midwest next year as planned and then enroll in one of the reputable Islamic institutions run by the righteous scholars of that area.

In conclusion, we refer you to take inspiration from the story of Sayyidnua Musa ^a.s, and Khidr ^rd, which is very well-known in this regard. When Sayyidnua Musa ^a.s stated that he was the most knowledgeable of all, Allah commanded him to travel to the joining of two seas to learn from one of Allah’s chosen slaves. When Allah commanded him to seek knowledge, what did Sayyidnua Musa ^a.s say? He declared that he would travel for many years and ages until he reached Khidr ^rd.

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَاهُ لَا أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِيَ حُقُبًا (60)

(Now relate to them, O Messenger, the experience of Musa): When Musa said to his (young) attendant: ‘I will not give up (journeying) until I reach the junction of the two seas, though I may march on for ages.’

May Allah enable us to continue on the path of the sacred sciences, and to grow and learn more about Islam. May Allah remove all the obstacles from our way, and bless us in all our righteous endeavors. Āmīn

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Maulana Tameem Ahmadi
Union City, CA.
U.S.A

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hamīd al-Mahmudi
www.fatwa.ca