Why do we study Islam?
Firstly, we know that people seem to study Islamic studies in order to obtain a degree with which they expect to earn some money in the future and make their life.
Well, it might be true for some of us, but when we look at why Prophet was sent to us, we see that he said:
“I have been sent to perfect good character.” (Ahmad).
Also, in the Quran Allah says:
لَّقَدْكَانَلَكُمْفِيرَسُولِاللَّهِأُسْوَةٌحَسَنَةٌلِّمَنكَانَيَرْجُواللَّهَوَالْيَوْمَالْآخِرَوَذَكَرَاللَّهَكَثِيرً
“Certainly you have in the Apostle of Allah an excellent example for him who hopes in Allah and the latter-day and remembers Allah much.”
(Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 21)
This allows us to conclude why we really study Islam.
Without the correct knowledge, you will not have a good character, which then leads to not following the Prophet, which ultimately leads to deviation.
How many of us left music, movies, and every evil sin due to having acquired the correct knowledge regarding it? And when we realized it was wrong, we left it. Still, this does not mean we have all of the knowledge, but rather just a drop of it العلم كالبحر
Knowledge is like an ocean. We have to be thirsty for it. The more we drink the more we feel like we want more of it. But never has the ocean decreased due to our drinking!
Secondly, back to speaking of courses.
When we look at it from this angle we are finished! This means the only job Islamic Studies can offer is a Judge, a teacher, or a Da’ee(caller to Islam).
All of which, with much sadness, many people don’t want.
But when we study Islamic Studies as a character-building course, then that’s when we have the right goal. Why are we saying this?
Because the aim of Muhammed being sent as a prophet was to build our character.
Secular education banned teaching anything related to Allah, although it used to be taught centuries ago. But the Westerners just washed it away.
Now, they always talk about nature and so on.
So, how many of us are ready to live with an honest person who has no degree in anything, but his or her character is superb?
And who is ready to live with a millionaire PhD person who has abundant knowledge of this Dunya, but his mouth is like that of a snake -poisonous words- he just has no character at all. He abuses and so on…
Which one will you choose?
Ask yourself that question, and will I ask myself too.
Never study Islam just to earn a living, but rather study it to know how to live with others peacefully, to know about fearing Allah.
To know that one day you will see all your deeds and that the more you follow the Prophet in his Sunnah, the more reward you earn, thus being able to have more hope in Allah.
Islam teaches us much more than we can even imagine, Subhan Allah.
Seeking knowledge is something that should be done for a lifetime. The more knowledge you acquire, the closer you become to your Lord.
It’s like being behind a big door, enclosed in a dark room, and the only key is knowledge. And when you open it, it’s full of light. You know, we always say Islam is a way of life, right?
Then, we have Islam in everything.
When you walk, eat, do business (no cheating, etc).
It covers all aspects of life and everything that revolves around us.
So it’s like saying Islam teaches us to be professionals in honesty and professionals in all aspects.
But we won’t be able to do so if we never had the knowledge to do so!
