Travelling to Learn Islam
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
How does one travel to learn Islam while leaving behind family?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Traveling to learn has great merit in addition to the merit of seeking knowledge itself. One should be very circumspective and wise in their decision to travel to seek knowledge.
Conditions to Travel to Seek Knowledge
The scholars advised that one should take advantage of the local scholars or learning institutions before traveling. Furthermore, one must assess their situation.
If they have family that requires their presence such that it is a religious obligation upon them to remain home – they do not travel.
If their parents are reasonably against their travelling and travelling is not a requirement for them to learn the personally obligatory level of knowledge – they do not travel.
Advice Before Committing to Travel
Aside from these scenarios, one should follow certain advice:
- Pray the Istikhara prayer
- Research the place you are travelling to, including speaking to others who have been there
- Perhaps take a short visit to that place to see for yourself
- Speak with the scholars or institutions to find out what curriculums are available
- Consult scholars, elders, parents, and/or local Imams
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies in Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen. There he completed the memorization of the Qur’an and his study of the Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz, al-Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, al-Shaykh Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others. Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
