Studying online
Bismillahirrahmanirraheem. Wassalatu wassalam a’la Rasulillah Salallahu ‘alayhi wassallam.
I was born and raised in the Netherlands, one of the most down-to-earth countries in existence. It is a country that adheres to the motto: “live and let live.”
It is tolerant, with people from many different cultures coexisting relatively harmoniously. Despite the prevalence of “everything should go” humor, people are generally cordial and polite to one another.
However, it remains a secular country. It was the first in the world to officially recognize gay marriage, it once had a policy of toleration toward marijuana (still does to some extent), and it has a policy of toleration for prostitution.
It is in these aspects that the motto “live and let live” is most evident. At this point, the country is largely devoid of religious practices, and there is barely any sign of Christianity.
Being of Turkish descent, I come from a people with one of the richest and longest-lasting Islamic histories, which only ended around 40 years before my grandparents emigrated to the Netherlands in the 1960s. One would think that these Islamic practices, particularly the educational aspects, would still be passed down to the children even in a secular country.
Yet, my Turkish and “Islamic” upbringing consisted of only two strict rules: no pork and no boyfriends. That’s it. There was no teaching of Islam and its practices, no education on the history of the Ottoman Empire, and, most heartbreakingly, no education on the Qur’an itself.
At one point in my life, I accepted Allah Azzawajal’s guidance and began seeking knowledge through YouTube and books. Yet I had lived my life without proper academic guidance, a qualified teacher, or a community. That is, until I started studying at Markaz Salih ibn Suleiman (MSIS), Alhamdulillah.
This long introduction leads to the topic at hand: studying online—particularly when living in a secular country and lacking a proper Islamic upbringing. Studying online with this background has led to several changes in my life.
The first thing I noticed was that studying Islam became integrated into my daily life. Instead of wasting time, as we are all prone to do, I used the same amount of time to gain knowledge. The class times are set on specific days, which provides structure and discipline.
The second thing I noticed was the value of the knowledge I consumed. What is a song compared to a du’a? What is a movie compared to a surah? What is a series with multiple seasons compared to a juz’? Our brains are marvelous, but they store everything we consume—both consciously and unconsciously—and the space is limited.
I compared the time I spent on frivolous activities with the time spent in online classes and self-study. The outcome was clear: secular means of enjoyment no longer attracted me. I felt a strong desire to distance myself from them. The wasted time we all recognize became nothing compared to the most fruitful moments of acquiring knowledge, peace, and tranquility.
The third thing I noticed was the positivity these classes brought to my life and attitude. Not only are the classes themselves enjoyable, but the anticipation leading up to them is filled with excitement and joy. I actually felt saddened when a class ended and could not wait for the next one. Alhamdulillah, MSIS offers so many online classes and activity weeks with free lectures that I never felt there were too few options.
The final thing I noticed was the connection I had missed all my life: sisterhood in Islam. In the Netherlands, different ethnicities and cultures often remain separate, but at MSIS, everyone unites under one banner: Islam.
Even without meeting anyone in person, you can feel more at home and connected to someone online than you have in real life. You might even discover someone studying at MSIS nearby and meet them in person!
In conclusion, studying Islamic topics online provides structure in your daily life, grounded in Islamic (academic) knowledge. It offers an anchor in a secular world, helping you steer away from secular distractions. Beyond this, it immerses you in the vast ocean of knowledge about our Deen, its practices, its role models, and Allah Azzawajal Himself. These experiences naturally lead to positive changes in your life and attitude.
Finally, the love for Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala emanates and spreads immeasurably in these classes. The yearning for His knowledge is reflected in the other students. The honor bestowed upon students by Allah Azzawajal through learning His knowledge is mirrored in the selfless teachers. The deep connection one might have missed due to a lack of Islam in their surroundings is fully felt in these classes, even when online.
One Response
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Ukhti Ebru, subhanAllaah I can relate to your story. Especially the part that you were only taught not to eat pork and have boyfriends. Everything else you had to find by yourself. Alhamdulillah Allaah showed you the right path. You should feel special that Allaah chose you to be amongst those who found the right path, alhamdulillah.
Moge Allah ﷻ van jou houden en tevreden over jou zijn, آمين.