I received a message that has awakened the grief in my heart.
It says:
Dear teacher,
What are the etiquettes of a female student of knowledge?
How should her life be? And what places are suitable for her?
I find myself in an estrangement even among people with whom I seek knowledge.
They are upon good, I consider them to be so, and I don't claim anyone to be pious before Allāh.
But! I usually think to myself, if I am perhaps an introverted and excessively strict person, or that's in fact how I, as a student of knowledge, must behave.
–When we hear about female students of knowledge who sit in restaurants and cafés.–
–When we hear about female students of knowledge that go to health clubs, surrounded by objectionable things.–
Is there latitude in this matter under certain regulations? or these deeds are not to be committed by female students of knowledge?
I do not mean that the sisters have to deprive themselves of that which is permissible, or of taking care of their health and beauty.
However, when these things get widely spread among female students of knowledge, we fear that we may unintentionally fall into them.
We want the truth. and we want to live a life that Allāh wants for a student of knowledge.
I said; May Allāh forgive me and you and all Muslims:
To you, and all pious women in general, and to the female students of knowledge in particular.
Certainly, the person is like whom he befriends. And often imitates the behaviour of those whom he sits with. Therefore, it is upon us to seek the truth.
I am addressing you hoping that our conversation would be a reminder for those who are mindful. And that it will uncover the loopholes.
Dear sister,
The Salafi methodology is not exclusively represented by the head ‘abāyah or the khimār, neither by a face cover or a sitār nor by just sharing the sayings of the famous scholars.
It is not abbreviated in Tawheed (monotheism) or pure aqīdah, such as the names and attributes of Allāh, nor it is only about refuting the ash'arī and the likes of them, who have a corrupted aqīdah.
The Salafi manhaj includes that and more!
Far from any affiliations and titles, it is a methodology of life, that calls to chastity, modesty, and the best of speech and deeds.
Therefore, we have to clarify it to people, so that the routes leading towards the origins of that which is followed will become apparent.
You are a noble, chaste, pure, and pious person. So, do not belittle your interaction with men especially with the existence of mobile phones and social media fitnah.
And do not make excuses for attending the free-mixed lessons of which the private and public people have begun to view it as permissible!
Knowledge has become abstruse and complicated, so much so, the forbidden has become permissible in people's eyes!
To mention a few:
• men entering upon women with the excuse of knowledge revision!
• Permitting the sound effects that resemble the valueless music!
• Making free-mixing places permissible. Like cafés and restaurants, with the claim of it being convincingly permissible!
• Attending health clubs that are notoriously known by what is objectionable.
The winds of corruption are surrounding us from everywhere.
Hours are vainly passing by the student of knowledge, wastefully, without any purpose.
The Salafi women before us, foremost among them, the mothers of the believers who were the best example of chastity, devoutness, asceticism, purity, fear of Allāh, and piety.
But time has failed to bring the likes of them, except for some rarity.
Certainly, the right path is theirs
Salvation, therefore, is by following it
Let's contemplate carefully:
The salaf have placed the issue of wiping over the shoes in their ‘aqeedah books, although it is a jurisprudence (fiqh) issue. They have mentioned it in ‘aqeedah because it has become an issue that differs Ahlu Sunnah from other innovative groups who refuse the view of wiping over the shoes.
So, if you are permitting the free-mixed gatherings with the claim of studying, or you sit in restaurants where the forbidden instruments of the satan are present, or you commit other objectionable things, how would you then as a female student of knowledge be different from the laypeople?
Preserve your religion with your good behaviour.
To the female student of knowledge tranquillity and dignity are an adornment, it settles deep inside her, then appears lively and pure throughout her body, like pearls and gems.
May Allāh always renew piety in our hearts.
Written by: Dr Haya Bint Salman Al Sabah
May Allāh forgive her and her parents and all Muslims