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Ar Rasheed, Old Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal Newspaper -Vol. 3 No. 6|: Rajab 1418/ November 1997
| (This article has been written by a university student, in her own words, which is an eye-opener for other students.) |
| In recent times a number of Muslim parents have been criticised for depriving their daughters of auniversity/technikon education. |
| The Ulama too, have been frowned upon for discouraging parents from sending their daughters to universities, etc. |
| Those parents, who want their daugh-ters to receive a tertiary education, forget that these are not a bunch of half-crazed fanatics intent on holding Muslim women back. Nobody is claiming that Islâm is against education for males or females. Indeed our Nabî sallallâhu alay-hi wasallam encouraged his Ummah to all forms of knowledge, but Dîni knowledge FIRST. |
| Yes, there is a need for female gynae-cologists, doctors, etc. in our communi-ty. But at what price? The compromising of our Dîn or the sacrifice or the sacrifice of our imân? The loss of virginity before marriage perhaps? A drug habit? A wild and carefree social life? Or maybe even an illegitimate child? |
| While these might sound very far-fetched, as someone who spent four years in a campus environment, I can vouch that these are ever-present dan-gers in every corner. There is the argu-ment that if these factors are so rife, then boys should also be prevented from going to these institutions, where their imân is in danger. |
| Yes, the perfect solution would be the establishment of Islâmically designed universities with separate instruction and facilities for males and females, offering recognised degrees in an environment conducive to practising an Islâmic way of life. |
| Since we are a long way off from achieving this, those of us who do choose to pursue such professions that cannot be pursued through correspondence, have come face to face with the sinful environment, which is the norm in South African universities. |
| A Unique Challenge |
| For those males and females who are already submerged in this environment, or who will be there in the future, view your time at a university as a challenge to protect your imân, your dîni morals and principles. In our day-to-day campus you will be faced with numerous temptations to sin. Overcome these temptations and a few years from now, you won’t be faced with the remorse attacks, so many Muslims face after they have left university. There are numerous ways to ensure that your university education. Just that – an Education – and not a form of entertainment, a way to ‘experience life’, a key to freedom, etc. as some people would have you believe. |
| It is essential for you to OUTWARDLY express your Dîn, through dressing and behaving as a Muslim should. As soon as you enter most universities, you willbe faced with hundreds of Muslim boys, and girls sporting expensive clothes and intermingling quite freely, playing, gossiping, planning the evening’s entertainment, etc. |
| Many studentsspend90% of their time outside lecturesand10%in – tryingto borrow notes, find out testdates, etc. |
| Your cloak, kurta, topee or scarf may in all likelihood, be viewed as ‘uncool’ by them but take this as a blessing in disguise … it will deter them from being attracted to you, or inviting you along to one of their daily ten pin bowling, ice skating, movie, coffee escapades (which naturally means you will have to cut many classes). |
| If you fear Allâh Ta’âla and are con-cerned about your hereafter, and yes even your reputation and success in this world, the mocking by ignorant people and their opinions shouldn’t matter. |
| It is best to avoid intermingling as much as possible and where unavoidable, try to protect the eyes from lustful glances and the heart from passionate thoughts. You will be amazed at the effectiveness of abstaining from this sin – you will not fall prey to the many forms of infatuation and illicit relationships those around you find themselves in. While these relationships might seem very attractive, sweet and romantic, the end result is always heartbreak – one way or the other. Remember intermingling/going out with Muslim members of the opposite sex is no less sinful than going out with non-Muslims. |
| Consciously remind yourself why you are at university: “I am here to study”, Keep telling yourself this, even when you’re tempted to go to parties, clubs, socials where everyone else seems to be going to. Telling yourself this enable you to concentrate on your studies better and pursue your goal with more determination. |
| Don’t mock non-Muslims, hurt them, etc. There is no reason to do so. You should project such behaviour and character that those with an open and unbiased mind would be attracted to the Islâmic way of life, Don’t let wealth pride, arrogance and superficiality cause embarrassment to Islâm and Muslims. Instead maintain a level head and convey humility, simplicity and piety. Always remember that YOU arean ambassador of Islâm. |
| Remember that by falling into the many sinful traps you’ll encounter, you are also betraying your parent’s trust. They are spending thousands of rands to educate you, not to see you become an embarrassment to them. By wearing a scarf, etc. to campus and removing it once you get there, only to reveal a tight fitting top and a brand new set of Levi’s you are only lying to yourself and incurring the wrath of Allâh Ta’âla. Remember that for every ‘uncool’ you do in the eyes of other students in the path of your Dîn, you are pleasing Allâh Ta’âla. |
| Maintain a strong link with Allâh Ta’âla by reading your namâzi daily without unnecessary delay. This will keep you, on the right track. Read Islâmic literature and Qur’ân to facilitate the process, of staying away from sins. |
| Remember that all your faculties of learning – eyes, ears, mouth, bands – are gifts from Allâh Ta’âla. Use it for yarn betterment rather than your downfall. Make ‘shukr’ for them. (Show gratitude to the Almighty). |
| A wide variety of Muslim student associ-ations will host a number of s activities, braais, social, etc. While the intentions might be noble, the end result is always a gathering at which males and females socialise freely, with each other, play sport etc. Stay away from such gatherings. |
| Muslims are afraid that they may be called sexist if they call for separate males’ and females’ bodies, with males doing Islâmic work among male students and females doing so female students, away from the balances of each other. Make an attempt to set up such bodies, which encompass the Islâmic principles. Although you may earn the title of a fundamentalist, sexist, orthodox, conservative etc. |
| Take new, young, naiveand gullible students under your wing if possible, to -prevent them from becoming corrupt. |
| It is essential to supplement your time spent at university with nourishment to your imân. For me, attending talk and zikr programmes proved very beneficial as it helps to be constantly reminded of one’s purpose in the world, and to hear the importance of staying away from sins being emphasised time and time again … you will find that after such programmes you will often go home feeling very determined to turn over a new leaf and pay more attention to strengthening your imân and staying away from sins. In short, such talks and programmes are revitalising, and will inevitably increase your Dîni consciousness. |
Beware of Imâm-Blowing Landmines at Universities
