When Does One Become Qualified to Read Islamic Texts without a Teacher?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

May Allah grant you all well-being and bless SeekersGuidance. It’s an invaluable resource.

It is my understanding that ‘ulama generally advise against reading books of fiqh, aqida, spirituality, etc., without a teacher to avoid misinterpreting the author and to ensure proper belief. For those who are interested in reading different texts after acquiring their fard ‘ayn, is it absolutely necessary to consult teachers? Is that simply better, or does one need ijaza in a subject before exploring it on one’s own?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

It is important to take guidance and direction from a teacher to move on to reading a next-level text. They have studied from a teacher, been guided, and so on. This way, you will develop a proper understanding.

Also, coupling your reading of the above books with classes is important for a deeper understanding. Many traditional texts are taught or currently offered at SeekersGuidance online and some on the ground, too.

Find a Local Teacher, Ideally, or Online Learning

Ideally, find a local teacher or classes where you can learn from heart to heart, gaining an understanding of the texts of each science from a beginner level to a higher level. If some are not offered, one can study online, too.

Summary

The summary is that if you want to read Islamic texts in English for a deeper understanding of Islam and other related sciences, then take guidance and recommendations from reliable scholars coupled with classes on that subject, if there are any.

If you want to read Arabic texts, then you will need to study with a qualified teacher ​to gain ​mastery over the texts of that particular science, and he will give you an ijaza after having understood the science; then, you can deepen your studies and read further. This way, you have a complete understanding, and then you can pass it on as you received it, with sincerity, humility, proper manners, and gratitude.

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction, in sha’ Allah.

Related:

• Critical Issues Seminar: How Do I Seek Knowledge? [Video]
• The Need To Know: What A Concerned Muslim Needs to Learn, and How. [Video]
• Knowledge: What, How, and Why We Study [Video]
• Should I Master One Science before Another When Seeking Knowledge?
• Best Order To Study The Step One Courses
• Knowledge and Guidance: A Comprehensive SeekersGuidance Reader
• Which Islamic Science Should I Study First?
• Istikhara, The Prayer of Seeking Guidance: The Ultimate Guide – A Reader
• How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (Salat al-Haja)?

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.