Studying islam from Western university

[taha_]

Assalam o alaikum rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

I want to study Islam from authentic sources namely quran and sunnah. Being deaf, Muslim countries habe little support or resources for special needs people.


My parents are pressuring me to study islam from western universities. They also shared same opinion as mentioned above that muslims have little support and their medium of teaching are often spoken in their local languages, and they say that western universities have facilities for special needs people. But I am not accepting them because I know they will not teach Islam in authentic way, and there are also orientalists in them, who have slandered against islam.

I am too reluctant to study from them, I am not sure what I can do.

 

[Brandon Benton]

Many Muslims go to the Middle East to pursue Islamic seminary. As you said, orientalists study Islam from the perspective of non-Muslims and not necessarily Islamic seminary for the purpose of becoming an Imam, Shaykh, Mufti, Marja, jurist, scholar, and so on. In other words, to take on credentialed roles as a Muslim leader.

If you wish to pursue a career in religion, to be a leader of Muslims, I'd recommend looking into institutions of Islamic study that are run by Muslims and are made to train Imams and scholars. Many, many Muslims travel to the Middle East to study Islamic seminary then return to the West. Some will get an undergraduate degree in anything, like business, and then complete post-graduate Islamic studies in the Middle East for a few years.

There is a lack of tertiary level Islamic studies officiated by Muslims in the West, something that will change in sha Allah as Muslim grows in the West. I would recommend researching institutions which offer Islamic education in an Islamic context and reaching out to them with your questions. Also, here are resources for deaf Muslims you may find useful.

ISDHH - Empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing Muslims

Empowering Deaf Muslims through advocacy and accessible Islamic resources. Join ISDHH in creating an inclusive community. Donate, volunteer, and support today!

www.isdhh.org

https://globaldeafmuslim.org/

Making History, Owais Murad, Khalid Ashraf and Irfan Yusuf | Deaf Muslim UK

Owais Murad and Khalid Ashraf became the first Deaf Muslims in history to graduate with a Masters degree in Islamic Studies in 2018.

www.deafmuslim.org.uk

Also, I would highly recommend reaching out to Muslim leaders in your community. The tradition of Islamic education is to learn under a Shaykh or Imam in a chain of transmission. Your local Shaykh or Imam can provide you with guidance and advice to your desire to pursue Islamic education. In any case, your desire to seek knowledge is pleasing in the sight of Allah and is a path to Paradise.

حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ ‏.‏

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2646
​

Your unique story can be an inspiration to many Muslims, especially those in a similar situation. Here is an interesting fact: In Makkah, there are special sections of Masjid al Haram where sign language interpreters will translate the khutba of the Imam on Jummah to deaf pilgrims. Barakallah and may Allah guide you to knowledge and Paradise.