How to Start Seeking Islamic Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

I want to seek Islamic knowledge, where do I begin?

Firstly, it is important to consider whether you want to seek knowledge just for yourself i.e. to understand what Allāh Taʾālā has obligated upon you, what He has forbidden upon you, what the rights of Allāh and His creation are, and how you can emulate the Prophet (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) and his Companions in your life, or, you want to seek knowledge on a scholarly level, to get guidance and be a source of guidance for others. This will help you to determine the type of course you need to enrol in, which is an important first step.

It is also important to consider some other important factors such as: your profession, roles and responsibilities in the family, important commitments, possible obstacles, etc. For those who sincerely wish to seek knowledge, Allāh Taʾālā can remove all obstacles, and grant immense barakah (blessings) in one’s time. However, just as a person is encouraged to ‘tie his camel’, it is important to at least gives these things some thought so that you are well prepared to deal with any unexpected obstacles that may arise.

You must not forget to make duʿā that Allāh Taʾālā opens the doors of beneficial knowledge for you, that He removes all obstacles, and grants you steadfastness, consistency, sincerity, and humility on this journey. 

Thereafter, find an institute, preferably one that you can attend in person. The benefits of in-person learning are many, one of the main ones being that you are in a distraction-free environment. If you do not have the option of attending in person, make use of the online options. In our era, the availability of courses and teachers from around the globe is a huge blessing that is often taken for granted. Some online institutes that provide full long-term courses are:

Darul Ilm Birmingham (https://darul-ilm.co.uk/)

Al Balagh Academy (https://www.albalaghacademy.org/)

White Threat Institute (https://whitethreadinstitute.org/)

For ḥadīth courses, check out Ulum al-Hadith (www.ulumalhadith.com)

If you cannot enrol in a madrasah, then consider opting for individual courses or webinars. This is also a good idea if you are currently in school, university, etc., and cannot commit to a long-term course.

In order to start small, enrolling in short courses is a good place to start. Prioritise sciences and subjects that you will require in order to carry out your obligations such as tajwīd (learning to recite the Qurʾān correctly), the fiqh of ṣalāḥ (laws of prayer), ṣaum (fasting), zakāh (charity), hayḍ (menstruation), etc. Some online institutes that offer such courses are:

Darul Ilm Birmingham (https://darul-ilm.co.uk/)

Siblings of Ilm (https://siblingsofilm.com/)

Lubab Academy (https://lubabacademy.com/)

Rayyan Institute (https://rayyaninstitute.com/)

Maryam Education (https://www.maryameducation.com/)

When you are seeking knowledge, purify your intention, do not take shortcuts, do not show off, and make a full effort to practise upon what you learn. Avoid delving into controversies and disputes among scholars, sectarianism, and discussion that are way out of your lane. Be patient, grow in your knowledge, and beautify your character and speech.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to write them below.

May Allāh grant us steadfastness