This document provides an introduction to the study of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) according to Islamic teachings. It discusses the importance of seeking knowledge as obligatory for Muslims. It shares hadiths and verses from the Quran that emphasize gaining knowledge and being learned in religious matters. The document provides guidance on properly studying fiqh, including having the right intentions, being humble with teachers, and avoiding ostentation.

1. “ INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FIQH ” Intermediate Level Islamic course in English for Adults conducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) LESSON # 1A – INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FIQH And say: O Lord! Increase for me my knowledge Using text & curriculum he has developed especially for Muslim converts and young Adult English-speaking Muslims. “ To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”

2. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL.

3. “ It is He (Allah) Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom― although they had been, before, in manifest error― .“ ( Qur’an: Jumu’ah: 62: 2 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL.

4. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ As well as (to confer all these benefits upon) others of them, who have not already joined them: and He is Exalted in Might, Wise.” ( Qur’an: Jumu’ah: 62: 3 ) IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL.

5. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ Such is the Bounty of Allah, which He bestows on whom He will: and Allah is the Lord of the highest bounty.” ( Qur’an: Jumu’ah: 62: 4 ) IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL.

6. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says "I am of those who bow in Islam" ( Qur’an: Jumu’ah: 41: 33 )

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8. “ Nor should the Believers all go forth together: if a contingent from every expedition remained behind, they could devote themselves to studies in religion ( LIYA-TAFAQQAHU -FID-DEEN ) and admonish the people when they return to them― that thus they (may learn) to guard themselves (against evil).” ( Qur’an: Taubah: 9:122 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

9. Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.“ ( Qur’an: Zumar: 39: 9 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

10. “ So ask the people of the ‘Remembrance’ (i.e. those who know) in matters which you do not know. “ ( Qur’an: Anbiya’: 21: 7 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

11. “ Verily those who truly fear Allah from among His Servants, those who have knowledge ( AL-’ULAMA ): for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. “ ( Qur’an: Fatir: 35: 28 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

12. “ Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted Knowledge ( UU-TUL-’ILMA ): and Allah is well-acquainted with all ye do.” ( Qur’an: Mujadilah: 58: 11 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

13. He (Allah) grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the message but men of understanding .“ ( Qur’an: Baqarah: 2: 269 ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

14. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

15. “ Whomsoever that Allah wishes for him goodness, He will make him a FAQIH (learned) in matters of the religion( Deen ); and for everything there is a pillar, and the pillar of this religion is AL-FIQH – (the profound understanding of the Deen ); a learned scholar (of the Deen ) is more difficult upon satan than a thousand worshippers.” ( Reported by Bukhary and Muslim ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

16. “ Whosoever sets out upon the path in which to seek knowledge ( ‘ILMA ), Allah will make easy for him the path to Paradise.” ( Reported by Abu Daud & Tirmidzi ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

17. “ The best ones amongst you is the person who makes your remember Allah when you look upon him; and whenever he speaks it increases you your knowledge (of the Deen), and with his deeds it inspires (motivates) you to strive for your Hereafter.” ( Hadith reported by Hakim from Ibnu ‘Umar r.a .) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

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19. “ Knowledge is not from the listening of much narrations (or merely reading books), verily knowledge is light (which Allah s.w.t.) into the heart.” ( Saying of * Ibnu Mas’ud r.a .) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) * The famous companion (SAHABI) of the Prophet s.a.a.w.

22. “ Learn (seek knowledge)! For the learning is an adornment for the one who (strive and) possesses it; a virtue and a prelude to every praiseworthy action.” All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) * Muhammad ibn al-Hassan Abu ’Abdallah al-Shaibany r.h.m. said:

27. “ The knowledge is what benefits, not what is memorized” ( Imam Muhammad Idris ash-Shafi’e rhm. a .) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

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29. “ Whoever seeks knowledge (intending) to argue with the learned (scholars), or to brag with the foolish; or with it to attract peoples’ attention to himself; Allah will make him to enter the Hell-fire.” ( Hadith also reported by Tirmidzi and Ibn Majah ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

30. “ We are (much) in need of a little Adab , from (that of) going out (seeking) after much of ‘ilm (knowledge)” – (Imam ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

31. "Indeed the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, but if they fall into covetousness and greed, who shall be taken as leaders? The merchants and businessmen are the trustees of Allah, so if they are treacherous, who can be trusted? The warriors are the guests of Allah so if they become extreme (or take spoils without right), with whom can we defeat the enemies? The righteous and ascetic ones are the kings of the earth but if they become insincere (i.e. have riya’ ), who shall be followed? The governors/rulers are the shepherds (protectors) of the people, but if the shepherd becomes a wolf, who shall protect the flock?" - Imam 'Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

32. “ ( ‘ilm ) Knowledge without Adab , is like (having) fire (but) without wood (fuel); and Adab without knowledge ( ‘ilm ) , is like (having) the Soul (but) without body.” All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

41. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

42. “ Whoever seeks knowledge (intending) to argue with the learned (scholars), or to brag with the foolish; or with it to attract peoples’ attention to himself; Allah will make him to enter the Hell-fire.” ( Hadith also reported by Tirmidzi and Ibn Majah ) All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

44. As an example of the intention (and Du’a): as formulated by Imam Qutb al-Irshad al-Habib ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad ( rahimahullah ) – may we benefit from his Wisdom and secrets. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

45. As an example of the intention (and Du’a): as formulated by Imam Qutb al-Irshad al-Habib ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad ( rahimahullah ) – may we benefit from his Wisdom and secrets. “ I intend to learn and teach (knowledge), to gain and to share benefits, to receive and to give reminders, to seek (Allah’s) bestowals and to bestow (upon others), to holdfast to the teachings of the Book of Allah (Qur’an) and As-Sunnah of His Messenger s.a.a.w. , to invite towards the right guidance, to show to the path of goodness, beseeching and seeking to please Allah s.w.t., so as to gain nearness to Him and hoping for (His acceptance and) His reward. Amin” All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 )

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48. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy ( bitaanah * ) those outside your ranks; they will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths; what their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain to you the Signs, if ye have wisdom. ( Qur’an : Aali’Imran: 3:118 ) * bitaanah : advisors, consultants, protectors, intimate friends, helpers ...

49. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ O ye who believe! (Be conscious of Allah and) Fear Allah ( TAQWA ) and be with those who are true (in word and deed).” ( Qur’an: Taubah:9: 119 )

50. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ He is not from my Ummah (community), One who do not respect our elders, or One who is not merciful (kind) to our young, and one who do not know (and respect the rights of) our ‘Ulama’ (Islamic scholars).” ( Hadith of our Prophet s.a.w. Reported by Tabrany ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

51. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ A person is upon the religion (way of life) of the ones (friends) he is close to, therefore look to whom you (love to be) close to.” ( Hadith reported by Tirmidzi ) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

52. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) ” Verily this is knowledge (contains the rules) of the DEEN (Religion), so look thoroughly into the person from whom you acquire (the knowledge of) your DEEN (Religion).” Imam Muhammad ibnu Sirrin (rhm.a) advices and warns us Muslims:

53. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ Whosoever has an increase in knowledge without any increase in his detachment ( ZUHD ) for the world, would not have any increase with Allah except in his distancing himself further” ( Hadith reported by Dailami from ‘Ali ibn Abi Tolib r.a .) Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

54. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ He is not an ascetic ( ZAHID ) he who is detached (denounce) the dirham and dinar (i.e. money), but verily a true ascetic ( ZAHID ) is one who detaches himself from all other except the Irresistable ( Allah jallaajalaa-luh )” ( Explanation of “ ZUHD ” by Ibn ‘Arabiy )

55. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) “ He who does not exert abstinence ( WARA’) while learning, God (Allah) the Almighty chastise [him] in one of three ways: [1] either deprives him of life in his youth, or [2] exiles him into [far-off] regions, or [3] punishes him [by forcing him to enter] the service of the Sultan.” A SCHOLARS’ ADVICE FROM KITAB “TA’LIM MUTA’LLIM”

56. All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011 ) TO BE CONTINUED , INSHA-ALLAH

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