Cordoba

From ignorance to tolerance

Academy
From darkness to brightness

www.cordobaacademy.com

THE STUDENT MANUAL

A Beneficial Guide For the Honorable Students at Cordoba Academy for the Classical Islamic Sciences

Brought to you by the team at Cordoba Academy

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Table of Contents

Table of contents...................................................................02 Preface............03 Introduction..............04 The Nature of Studying Online..........................06 Keys to successful studying in general...............09 Keys to successful online studies..................12 Joining the Classroom...............................17 Conclusion..........18 Appendix A..................19 Appendix B..............22

Preface

This is a short treatise meant to aid the students of Cordoba Academy for the Classical Islamic Sciences. It is in no way meant to be a conclusive guide to studying online but is intended as a helpful tool giving the student some of the keys necessary to succeed. In todays technological/information age, the western concepts of having everything fast and easy has spread like a virus. Unfortunately knowledge is also expected in this way despite the years of striving and sacrifice given by our scholars (both past and present). It is due to our realizing this that we aimed to put together a treatise small enough that the student will be able to read it without hardship but with enough information that it is still beneficial. And truly, success is with Allah.

introduction

Cordoba Academy is striving to be the pre-eminent seat of learning worldwide for the instruction of the Sacred Islamic Sciences, merging traditional methods of inheriting knowledge through Isnad with imparting knowledge using modern technology and techniques in instruction. It is a non-profit organization that is not affiliated to any government, political party or sect. It offers courses for both genders from various backgrounds and levels of Islamic Knowledge. This is done via the internet, using web-conferences to allow interaction between students and the scholars. This has been done in order to join those truly seeking Sacred Knowledge with high level scholars of our Sacred tradition from around the world. The Cordoba Academy was established with the vision that it would be the worldwide forerunner in the Hadith Sciences as there is a vacuum in this extremely important field even amongst the scholars. This field is still the main focus of the Academy but the focus has widened to include various studies such as fiqh, usool al-fiqh, tafseer and other than these. The aim is to produce well rounded students with a firm foundation in the sacred Islamic sciences who will move within their own communities living the sunnah of the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), acting as ambassadors of Islam. And it is from the aims of Cordoba Academy that this deen and the sacred sciences belonging to it are preserved and protected in this modern age. From the ways of protecting the sacred knowledge of Islam is the Ijaaza system, and this is one of the hallmarks of Cordoba Academy. All of the scholars teach texts that they themselves have taken with sound chains of narration and it is through them that the student is joined in the chain going back to the scholars of Islam and often, ultimately back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Can this be done through online studies? The foundation of the tradition has always been aural and as long as the student hears the words from the mouth of his Sheikh in a live interaction , even without seeing him, the condition remains intact. It is for this reason that in order for the student to receive an Ijaaza they must have full punctual attendance of live sessions, recordings will not suffice. The student should participate in in-class discussions and the questions & answers as well. The student should acquire a very good understanding of the text being studied and be able to answer any question related to the text. Thus, any and all assignments given by an instructor must be completed if the student is hoping for an Ijaaza in the text being studied. There is no need however, for the memorization of the text, though this is encouraged for shorter texts.

introduction

Rest assured that the methodology used at Cordoba Academy for the Classical Islamic Sciences meets the highest standards and is based on sound knowledge and understanding of the deen. As for this short treatise, it is meant to introduce the student to online studies at Cordoba Academy, to offer some keys to successes in online studies in general, and to offer some keys for the student to assist in success in the seeking and attaining of the Sacred Islamic Sciences. This text is meant only as a guide to assist the students at Cordoba Academy and is in no way meant as a comprehensive or conclusive text on the subject of online studies or seeking knowledge in general. If used properly, it is hoped that it will be a beneficial tool for the seekers of sacred knowledge. And with Allah is all success.

The Nature of Studying Online

In General: Today, we have the ability to study the Sacred Islamic Sciences over the internet - in various academies and programs, through recordings, internet-conferencing, Skype, etc.. We have, at our fingertips, access to what students and scholars alike used to have to make long journeys and many sacrifices to reach. All praise is due to Allah alone, this is one of the great blessing from Allah in our age and it has been a means to make this knowledge more accessible to everyone. Every institution and instructor is likely to approach online learning in a slightly different way, but some commonalities exist throughout most online educational programs. To avoid any confusion, this treatise will be specifically discussing the online learning through Cordoba Academy. When you take an online class, you wont have a physical classroom to attend, but you still have many similar responsibilities as if you were to attend a physical class - such as the need to prepare, attend and participate in class and also the need to complete any assignments. Much of what you will need is provided on CAs website, however as far as the delivery of the courses, we currently use the internet conferencing and education site, WIZIQ - which will be discussed later. Upon signing up to our programs and/or our courses, youll be provided with the necessary links and information to access everything you need, including lectures, tests, assignments, the student forum, etc - to help you make the most out of your CA experience. Most of the texts that are taught are provided via PDF files, although at times, one may also find it beneficial to purchase a hard-copy. Take it seriously: You have to take your learning seriously. This is regardless of whether one is studying privately with a teacher, in a University setting or via the internet. It is imperative that one does not think less of their studies simply due to the medium in which they are taken. From ones seriousness is that they plan and prepare for classes, as well as participate regularly. Understand, in order to really remain serious in your learning you must have clear and defined goals as well as confidence in your teachers.

The Nature of Studying Online

Are they legitimate: To begin with, the Cordoba Academy invites and encourages you to look at our academy; our teachers; our founder; our values and mission; as well as look at the testimonials. Information pertaining to all of that can be found on our website with little difficulty and we highly encourage you to look into all of those things before taking classes with us as it is very important to know who you are taking knowledge from. As far as studying Islam online as it was mentioned in the introduction, it is from the aims of Cordoba Academy that this deen and the sacred sciences belonging to it are preserved and protected in this modern age. From the ways of protecting the sacred knowledge of Islam is the Ijaaza system, and this is one of the hallmarks of Cordoba Academy. All of the scholars teach texts that they themselves have taken with sound chains of narration and it is through this that the student is joined in the chain going back to the scholars of Islam and often, ultimately back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The foundation of the tradition has always been aural and as long as the student hears the words from the mouth of his Sheikh in a live interaction, even without seeing him, the condition remains intact. It is for this reason that in order for the student to receive an Ijaaza they must have full punctual attendance of live sessions, recordings will not suffice. Motivation: The Internet is a tool which can facilitate ease in ones journey of seeking knowledge but in no way, should you consider online learning easy. Online learning comes with its own line of difficulties and struggles. With that being mentioned, one must begin with and maintain motivation. The ultimate key to being motivated through hardship and ease is doing whatever it is you are doing for the sake of Allah to earn His love and pleasure. No hardship can outweigh Allahs love and pleasure. The way to keep up your motivation: Make your aim Allah, The Exalted. When the going gets tough be patient, trust in Allah, turning to Him in supplication. Always renew your intention and keep working toward your goal. High Aspirations: High aspirations either inflates your ego or keeps your feet firmly upon the ground. Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd said in his book on the etiquettes of seeking knowledge, Adorning oneself with high aspirations is one of the characteristics of Islam. Having high aspirations eliminates trivial hopes and actions and it uproots within your heart the tree of humiliation, degradation, adulation and compromise on behalf of the religion; so the person with great aspirations is composed and not terrorized in dire situations. As for the person who has lost it, then he is a fearful coward, whose mouth is shut by his impotence.

The Nature of Studying Online

But do not confuse high aspiration with pride, because the difference between them is like the difference between the heavens that give rain and the earth which splits. High aspiration is the adornment of the inheritors of prophets and pride is the sickness of those who are sick with the sickness of the wretched tyrants. The seekers of Sacred Knowledge should aspire to be servants of Allah and not judges over people. You should never think of yourself as better than anyone else. Rather you should think, now more than ever, of yourself as a servant to humankind and you should, as mentioned in the introduction, act as an ambassador of the Truth, the deen, your community and of the Ummah.

Keys to successful studying in general

Defining successful studies: What is success in general? Success is earning the pleasure of Allah. So what is successful studying? Simply put, it is studying that which will facilitate earning the pleasure of Allah. But successful studying has a lot of implications. It implies that one must have a pure intention. It implies that one must uphold good manners. And it implies that one must have good goals for their knowledge. The mark of knowledge taken sincerely is that it impacts the seeker it changes you. That one takes the knowledge one receives and implements it into ones own life. Pure intention: It has been narrated from Umar Ibn al-Khattab (ra): I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, say: Actions are (judged) by intentions (niyyah), so each man will have what he intended. [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] The seeking of sacred knowledge is a tremendous action and as we embark on this action, we must carefully determine our intentions are we doing it sincerely for the sake of Allah or for worldly gain what are our motives? From your intention to your learning; from your learning to your implementation it should all go back to being for the sake of Allah. The first thing we should all intend in seeking knowledge, after intending to seek the pleasure and nearness of Allah, is to benefit oneself. After establishing the initial intention, we should go back and review & renew our intention every so often and hold ourselves accountable. Proper Adab: Al-Hasan ibn Ismail said, I heard my Father say, In the gathering of Imam Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him), around 5000 people or more would gather. Less than 500 would write narrations and the rest would be learning good manners and correct behavior from him.

Keys to successful studying in general

As a student of knowledge, there are many different aspects of good adab: With your teachers: 1 - Be quiet 2 - Listen 3 - Be punctual 4 - Honor them as they are to be honored; always displaying respect and kindness 5 - Be humble before them With fellow students: 1 - Dont insult or belittle them in anyway 2 - Share with them 3 - Benefit from them 4 - Display kindness and care for one another. With yourself: 1 - Purify your intention 2 - Purify your limbs from sin 3 - Manage your time 4 - Talk, Eat and Sleep little 5 - Choose good companions 6 - Dont compromise on what is right With the knowledge: 1 - Pay attention 2 - Take notes 3 - Keep up with your study materials 4 - Act upon whatever you learn 5 - Share with others 6 - Review often 7 - Dont compromise on what is right With teachers/students of other institutions: 1 - Beware of pride 2 - Beware of argumentation 3 - Be open to benefit from others With people in general: 1 - Never look down on anyone 2 - Be gentle and kind 3 - Dont compromise on what is right And specifically for those of us studying online: 1 - Close all other tabs/screens/documents that do not directly relate to the class you a currently attending. 2 - Participate! 3 - Create an area of study within your home

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Keys to successful studying in general

Knowledge is a means, not a goal: Seeking knowledge is a life-long journey. It begins at birth and should not end until the day you die. Knowledge is not a goal there is never a point in this journey that someone can say that they have achieved all the knowledge that there is. What is the purpose of knowledge, the end goal? The messenger of Allah (may the best benedictions and peace be upon him) said what means, wisdom is the lost property of the believer, wherever he finds it, let him take it. with that in mind, we quote the British philosopher Herbert Spencer who said, The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action Since learning is a life-long journey, we must have clear and defined goals to guide and direct us. We are seeking knowledge to get closer to Allah but what are we going to do with our knowledge? As believers we should be seeking knowledge in order to act upon it in such a way as to take with us the provisions for a successful hereafter. After this, the question then arises, to what end are we studying in this life? Are we learning just enough that we can fulfill our personal obligations? Are we learning so that we can be of those through which Allah preserves the Quran? Are we learning so that we can preserve and pass on the ahadeeth with sound unbroken chains of narration? Are we seeking to preserve he sacred trusts of this Deen by passing on the knowledge to the next generations? What is the pathway of knowledge we are seeking to traverse and to what end? Once we have these goals, we need to implement them. Talk with our mentors and our teachers, our beloved scholars. Ask those who have tread the path that we are seeking to take and ask their advice, ask them what steps you should be taking, what courses you should be taking, what books you should be reading, etc. And implement the advice they give you.

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Keys to successful online studies

From the keys to successfully acquire knowledge through online studies is to remember the three Ps - Plan, Prepare and Participate. Planning Perhaps the first step to successful online studies is an honest look at you schedule and asking yourself when. This does not mean that you are limited to the free time you currently have but rather should lend to an honest review of your time, what activities are actually necessary in your life, what can be moved around and what activities are you willing to sacrifice. This first step of reviewing your schedule is important because many times people begin to lag behind in their studies or quit due to an inability to keep up with them due to mis-scheduling. A person should look at their work hours, the times of obligatory acts of worship which are time sensitive such as maghrib & Jummah prayer. And also take family time into consideration as well. Looking at ones own schedule in this way will aid in choosing classes and succeeding in them. After taking into account ones own schedule, look at the classes being offered. Can you fit any of them into your schedule even if one must manipulate and sacrifice to do so? Also ask yourself important relevant questions such as what classes do I need most? Have I learned my personal obligations (Fard Ayn) ? Have I taken the preliminary texts of this field? Can I implement this knowledge in my life (ie, is this knowledge actionable for me)? These questions will not only help to choose courses but prioritize them so you build your knowledge base and grow with your classes. Planning your classes is important because many times students take classes they are interested in or classes they like or they heard were good. But never having taken any preliminary courses, do not receive full benefit from the classes; or not having first established their fard ayn correctly they act upon the supererogatory acts while falling short in their obligations. Sometimes the student simply doesnt understand the course material and becomes frustrated or worse, they give up. Due to this, planning the class times as well as prioritizing them is a must.

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Keys to successful online studies

The third and final aspect of planning is that one actually prepares for their course. Preparation is going to be discussed on its own but here we want to mention general preparations such as making sure you have a copy of the text to be studied (hard copy or a pdf); a reliable device on which to study, a reliable connection and again; a time in your schedule where you can actually concentrate and study. Because we are speaking specifically about succeeding at live online studies, having the hardware, software, and knowhow is vitally important. Plan ahead by visiting the host site (usually WizIQ) and make sure you are registered on the site, that you remember your password & can enter the site easily. Also, make sure your registered for the class ahead of time, check your invites and confirm the schedule for your time zone. (If no invite is found, check the host site or your spam mail before contacting Cordoba Academy.) Again, the preparation aspect of planning is vital as often students come 15 minutes to an hour late for class due to some technical problem that could have been taken care of long before class time. Also, because it is via the internet, there are enough technical problems that could arise beyond anyones control, such as weak connections adding to the inherent problems will only add to the students frustration which can weaken their resolve. To conclude this section, proper planning includes planning your schedule and your classes as well as preparing for them. Planning ahead will go a long way in helping the student not only succeed in a particular class, not only their learning experience but their building their foundations of the Islamic Sciences. At the very least, it is a safeguard against unnecessary frustrations and academic shortfalls. Preparation After having planned your course, coming to class prepared is the next key to successful online study. Honestly, there is very little difference between preparing for classes online and classes in general. So we will mention that which is specific to online classes before moving onto general preparations. Make certain that anyone you may live with understands that you are going to class and are not spending leisure time on your device. (This includes parents, spouses, children or room-mates.) This will help to cut down on confusion which may lead to interruptions and distractions.

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Keys to successful online studies

As has been mentioned, finding a space conducive to study, making certain you are able to access the internet and more specifically, the host site are all important preparatory steps. After this is accomplished, make certain that you are able to enter the classroom at least 15 minutes to a half hour before class is scheduled to begin. This will give you time to troubleshoot any problems if they arise. Along with what has been mentioned, make certain your speakers or headphones are working and your sound level is high enough to hear the lecture. Also, if there is a need to speak, check your microphone and sound levels. Other than these matters, general preparation should be a regular part of any study. Every student should have a pen and paper at the ready (even when not in class). Perhaps in this technological age this is replaced by an electronic means of note-taking. If so, have it prepared before class begins. Along with this, a copy of the text should not only be available but at hand before class begins. Even though the student is not usually asked to read the text to the class, they should be reading along with the teacher. Having the text and reading along helps to keep the student focused and on track. This brings another detail; can your computer or device maintain the classroom, the text and the note-taking program all at once? Reading the entire text before class is helpful but generally not necessary. However, reading the section of the text to be gone over in class as well as the next section is a good step for preparing for class. This can also be supplemented by reading other articles, texts, or essays on the subject to be discussed. Preparing for class in this way also affords the student the ability to generate questions which they can write ahead of time and bring to class. If this is done (and it should be), the student should listen to the lecture and see if their questions are answered if not, they can ask them at the end of class if time permits . If time does not permit, the questions may be posted on the forum in order to benefit all the students. It is also a very good practice to review the lecture, the text and your notes within 48 hours of the class and then again before the next class begins. This way you will be more familiar with the information and the knowledge will begin to take root in your long term memory. This in no way is meant to enumerate all of the ways a student may prepare but it is in order to introduce some of the ways that may facilitate ease and success for the students. And with Allah is all success.

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Keys to successful online studies

Participate in class Why is it important: Participation, with both your teachers and your fellow classmates, in class has many benefits. It allows you to really get the most out of your course experience. Perhaps your teacher will impart to you knowledge that can deepen your insight that cannot be attained through recordings. Also, all of the assignments given are given with a purpose so it is beneficial to make complete and make use of them. Attend class consistently: Strive not to miss any classes. If you do miss a class, even if you have access to recordings, you miss out on many things. Amongst them is that you miss out on taking the knowledge directly from your teacher, one of the living scholars of our time. Also, you miss out on being in that sacred gathering about which the Prophet (may the best benedictions and peace be upon him) said whats translated to mean, when you come across the gardens of paradise, endure in them. So it is for your benefit that you strive to consistently attend your classes. Attend class on time: Be on time. This actually means, be early five minutes or ten minutes. When your teacher begins the class, you should be in the classroom and you should be ready to begin. Your teacher should never have to wait on you. Your fellow students should never have to wait on you. And for yourself, if you are late, you run a chance of missing out on something grand. Use the forums: The forums are there to facilitate and encourage student participation. If you have questions post them there. If you have notes especially key points or remarkable pieces post them. If you have something worth discussing with your peers post it. While you can use the forum simply for asking questions and/or posting notes, a good thing to do is start and participate in discussions. Perhaps there is an interesting topic being covered that you have read something about share it, share your thoughts, discuss it with your classroom. The teachers of the Cordoba Academy like to see students discussing their classes, the texts and related topics of study in the forums.

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Keys to successful online studies

Complete assignments: Complete all assignments that the teacher gives to you. Make use of and complete your assignments as they are meant to be study aids to enhance your learning and understanding, as well as to assist your teacher in how to best help you learn and grow. Seek out and utilize other methods: Dont confine yourself to the methods of participation that I have mentioned here. Seek out other possibilities and make use of them. Perhaps you will find a study-buddy or something of this sort. Make the most out of your class experience.

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Joining the Classroom

How to enter the WizIQ classroom: Cordoba Academy courses are generally taught via WizIQ. When you register for one of our programs/courses, you will be sent a WizIQ invitation to attend class. Its quite simple, after you create your account, to join the live sessions. There are basically just 5 steps to entering your live class: 1 - Go to your WizIQ home, on which should be your upcoming classes, and click on the particular course you are looking to enter. 2 - Once you are on the course page, click launch class. 3 - Wait for the page to load. There will be a pop-up asking you to enable your camera and microphone. You have to click and enable both - this does not mean when you enter, you will be seen and/or heard - it does mean that if necessary, you can be given access to the camera and speaker, by your teacher. 4 - After that, you will need to click and close the pop-up. 5 - You should now be in the classroom. Now, try to be the first to give salaams to your teacher.

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Conclusion

Having completed this manual, it is our hoped that within it there is benefit for the reader and that in it are pieces of advice that will be implemented. We have gone over numerous keys to help you facilitate your online learning from understanding how it works to joining your classroom, from planning and preparing for your class to making the most of your class time, And specifically we discussed some information about Cordoba Academy, the aims of the Academy and the educational programs are instituted. The Cordoba Academy aims at preserving the traditional system of transmitting sacred knowledge. It suffices the honor of a believer that their name is forever connected to the names of the greatest scholars of this Ummah. And it suffices the honor and blessings of a believer, that their name be connected to that of the one whom is the most honorable and blessed of this Umma (peace and blessings be upon him). Many times, one doesnt realize the blessings of Allah upon us until we become deprived of them. We ask Allah to protect us from being amongst those who deprive ourselves of His blessings amen. Any mistakes found in this manual are due to the shortcomings of the team which put it together; while every good comes solely from Allah. And success is with Allah alone.

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Appendix A
Cordoba Academy and the Traditional Islamic System
The traditional system of transmitting knowledge in Islam is through the system of Ijazah. That is, where the one conveying the knowledge also conveys the chain of narration which connects this knowledge (and the conveyor) back to its original source. If the one who received the knowledge wishes to convey it from himself, he will then mention the one who conveyed it to him along with every narrator going back to the source. It is through this system that the knowledge has been preserved and falsehood has been guarded against. This Traditional Islamic System can be seen even in the time of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) himself. One example directly from the prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is his narrating from Tamim al-Dari. Fatimah bint Qais reported that Allahs Messenger sat on the pulpit and said, O people, Tamim al-Dari has reported to me. And then he narrated a story from him. (Muslim 7031) Another such example from the lifetime of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is a narration found in Bukhari and Muslim where Umar (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrates, I was sitting in the Masjid when I heard Hishaam ibn Hakeem recite surah alFurqan. I was almost about to jump on him in his prayer, but I waited until he finished and then grabbed him by his garment and asked him, who taught you to recite in such a manner? He replied, It was the prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) himself! I responded, You are mistaken, for indeed I learned this surah from the prophet and it was different from your recitation! Therefore, I dragged him to the prophet and complained to him that Hishaam had recited surah al-Furqan in a manner different from what he (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) taught me. At this, the prophet told me to let go of Hisham and asked him to recite surah al-Furqaan. Hisham recited it the way I heard it before. When he finished the prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, It was revealed his way He then asked me to recite the same surah. When I finished, he said it was also revealed this way. The Quran has been revealed in seven different ahruf, so recite whichever way is easy for you. (Bukhari and Muslim) After the life of the Prophet (pbuh), in the time of Abu Bakr, we find that he would sometimes reject peoples narration if they did not have witnesses to it. Umar was known to force people to make clear whether they heard a narration directly from the Prophet (s), as has been seen. And Ali would sometimes force a person to take an oath. It was after the time of Uthman, in the Caliphate of Ali that the Isnad system took firm root. This is as Ibn Sereen said, They did not ask about the isnaad but when the fitna arose, they began to say, Who are your men? It was the year 110ah when Ibn Sereen died and this year also marked the end of the period of the companions; by this time the isnaad system was firmly established. It came to the point where the early scholars would not even consider a narration if it had no isnaad.

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Appendix A
Cordoba Academy and the Traditional Islamic System
It is through this traditional Islamic System that Allah has preserved that which He revealed to this Ummah through His beloved (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), both the Quran and the Sunnah. What is more, our scholars have preserved this system for the last 14 centuries; this is something unique to Islam. It is through this Isnad System that the reality of Sacred sciences were protected as Imam Abdullah Ibn Mubarak famously said, Isnaad is from this religion. If it were not for the Isnaad, whoever likes to would say anything which they would like to say. Imam ash-Shatabi said the meaning of which is, Allah opens to the student of knowledge who is sitting at the feet of his shaykh, that which he does not open to those who lack the company of a shaykh. There is a barakah in the traditional method of study and earning an Ijazah and this can be witnessed by the number of Islamic university graduates who lack understanding of the texts they have studied and even the basic adab and decorum of a scholar. They have only raw knowledge that proves to be more of a trial and a burden for them than anything else. Many of these Islamic University have fallen into imitation of the Western University systems of learning due to various causes, all stemming from the occupation of the Muslim lands in the 19th century. This occupation and colonialization set out to ruin the traditional Isnad system, to lower literacy and understanding of the Arabic language and replace the entire education system with their own. It was by means of this that they segmented the societies forming a class of social elites and those who would serve them while simultaneously removing respect for, and therefore the efficiency of, the Ulama (Islamic scholars). It is this dismantling of the traditional Islamic system that has led to much of the decline of the Islamic states. The traditional Islamic System requires painstaking efforts on the part of the teacher to ensure that students fulfill the requirements of Ijazah. Unfortunately due to the trust involved in the inherent nature and process of traditional Islamic instruction, today we continue to see Islamic institutions heading more and more towards the secular models of the west. The Ijazah system has then been neglected due to the ease of awarding a western style university degree. This is indeed heartbreaking as the western university degree itself would not exist if not for the Ijazah system since the western degree system was a cheap, watered down imitation of what they found in the Islamic world. But to be fair, on the other end of the spectrum are those who possess Ijazah but do not possess the knowledge that should accompany it. Many exploit this for personal gain or to establish their portfolios and biographies seeking to give others the impression that they are knowledgeable when the reality is that they are hiding behind their Ijazah as one hides behind a shield seeking thereby to veil their ignorance from others.

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Appendix A
Cordoba Academy and the Traditional Islamic System
The Islamic Sacred knowledge is divided into two parts, Dirayah (understanding) and Riwayah (Tradition of Sanad) and if one had to choose between the two, then the most important is Dirayah. However, the most complete and effective and that which contains the most blessings is to have both. The Sanad is a means of protecting the student from being misled by falsehood as Imam Ash-Shafi (Radi Allahu Anhu) said: The example of the one who seeks knowledge (without Isnaad) is like the one who gathers wood at night wherein there is a snake that bites him without him realizing it. Similarly it is a means of elevating the student, connecting him to the lofty luminaries that came before him. This is as Imam az-Zuhri (Radi Allahu Anhu) said, Is a roof raised without a ladder? Still further, the Sanad is a weapon for the student as Sufyan ath-Thawri (Radi Allahu Anhu) mentioned: The Isnaad is the weapon of a believer; if he does not have a weapon, with what will he fight? Concerning this, Shaykh Muhammad Shareef ibn Fareed (Hafidhuhu llah) said, Realize that preoccupation with memorizing and preserving the successive chains of authority is among the most important affairs of the Deen, for the scholars and the sincere worshippers. It is essential for every person serious about the deen, that they take reliance upon the weapons of the believers. Our akaabir explained the relationship between the Dirayah and the Riwayah in a beautiful metaphor. They said, Dirayah is similar to the pulp of an orange and the Riwayah is like the rind (peel) of the fruit. For the fruit to be whole, you need both. Part of the beauty of this metaphor is that the reality is the pulp of the orange is the meat of the matter while it is the rind that protects it and gives of the sweet citrus smell. So understand that someone who is teaching or studying without Ijazah should not be faulted because what they are doing is the most important part of knowledge; but it would be better if they beautified and completed it this with Riwayah (that is with the Sanad and Ijazah). We here at Cordoba Academy are trying our utmost to provide students of knowledge both of these crucial ingredients simultaneously in order to produce the best scholarship for the troubled times we find ourselves in. And with Allah is all success.

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Appendix B
Being A Lighthouse on a Stormy Night
According to the Shariah, a person is legally responsible based on two pre-conditions puberty and sanity. Puberty, for the most part is clear; sanity, however, is another matter. Sanity is generally explained as the ability to tell right from wrong, good from bad and harm from benefit; according to such a criteria, it seems we are living in an age emerged in insanity. The dominant world culture seems to be one exported from the west, which seeks to homogenize the world into a single hedonistic society based on materialism, a culture that sees what is harmful for it as beneficial and what will benefit it as harmful; a culture where what is right and good is viewed as evil and wrong. Indeed the modern age is upside down. In the past, Muslim communities were insulated from much of the influence of the disbelieving peoples but that changed with colonialization and the age of Empire. During that period we see the disbelieving nations dividing up the Muslim lands, dividing communities and spreading their influence through political manipulation and military might. In the last century, the fall of the empire was witnessed and many nations around the world gained their independence for the first time in generations. Unfortunately, this did not mark the end of colonialization. Today through the various forms of wide spread media, be it music, movies, television or the internet, the propaganda has taken its effect leaving much of the Muslim world looking into a polished faade of western life and longing for it. It is a sad reality that today many Muslims adore the West, imitate what they perceive as a western lifestyle and even make hijra to the lands of Kufr. Whether it is love, hope or fear, many Muslims today hold the western way of life in a sense of awe. The Cordoba Academy is not affiliated with any government, political party or sect and has been established in order to transmit the Sacred Islamic Sciences so then why is this being mentioned in a student guide? It is from the aims of Cordoba Academy to establish students of sacred knowledge as ambassadors of Islam in their respective communities; and it should be from the intentions of the students to be shining examples of the true guidance in these troubled times. It seems as though the root of all diseases and maladies today is ignorance and the cure for ignorance is seeking knowledge, but it must be sought through its proper channels. Sacred knowledge is not to be looked for in the opinions of the masses; nor should its primary source be from that which has no life or intellect. Rather, sacred knowledge is to be taken from its people, those who have taken from those who have taken knowledge. The seeking of knowledge is not about accumulating and regurgitating information but taking in knowledge from the hearts of the scholars, understanding it well, and applying it in our lives. In this way, the student does not just become a receptacle of information but becomes an example of the Islamic manners and prophetic character he takes from his teachers. In this way (becoming an example), the circle (of learning, living according to the knowledge and then calling others by it) is again complete.

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Appendix B
Being A Lighthouse on a Stormy Night

The seeking of the sacred knowledge is an obligation upon us as the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded us, Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim. Everyone is not required to become scholars or even students of knowledge but everyone is required to learn that which is personally obligatory upon them. There are many ayat of the Quran and Prophetic narrations extoling the seekers of knowledge. It is true that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) says, Are they equal, those who know and those who do not know? (39:9) And, Allah will raise them by degrees (58:11) The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, He who follows on a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depths of the ocean seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophet who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion. (Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi) Also, it is upon the Muslims to show honor and respect to the scholars of our deen, but what is more, as students of sacred knowledge, one should recognize the greatness and sacrifice of the scholars of this deen. If the seekers of knowledge do not recognize the loftiness, if those seeking to gain benefit from them and be connected to them do not honor them, how then can others be expected to do so? With mentioning this however, we must also add a word of caution. It has been mentioned that the disease of this age is ignorance but be aware that there are diseases of the heart associated with seeking knowledge also, the prime diseases being pride, arrogance and self-righteousness. And know it only takes one ill-mannered student to act as an example to cause others to look down on other students, our scholars and even seeking sacred knowledge itself. Taking knowledge from righteous scholars goes a long way to shield one from this but the actual medicine is servitude. Students of knowledge should be active in serving their communities, cleaning the masjids and their neighborhoods, feeding the poor, etc. Allah said, And repulse not the beggar (93:10)

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Being A Lighthouse on a Stormy Night
And also, the prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace, told us, One who strives to help the widows and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah. The narrator (Abu Hurairah) said: I think he also added: I shall regard him as the one who stands up (for prayer) without rest and as the one who observes fasts continuously. (Bukhari and Muslim) Through this servitude that the heart is humbled and it is also through this servitude that the hearts of others are healed. This is a beneficial healing that spreads and opens the doors for dawa . And it is spreading of the truth in word and deed that leads to the true healing of our societies. Still, servitude and its effects can only be had and maintained with sincerity! Everything that we do should be for the sake of Allah alone. This knowledge, serving others and inviting to Islam must not be to acquire the fleeting things of this life. It is just such intentions that lead to the twisting of the message by those who should know better; that leads to the callers compromising well established manners and etiquettes for the sake of Dawa.; that leads to Imams and scholars remaining silent in the fear of disobedience in order to displease their employers. Likewise, this knowledge, servitude and inviting to Islam must not be for the sake of feeding your ego. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) left for us a firm warning. On the authority of Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu), the messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, You will covet for getting a position of authority, but remember that it will be a cause of humiliation and remorse on the Day of Resurrection. (Al-Bukhari) We must ask ourselves, do we truly believe in Allah? That He has power over all things? That nothing can occur, good or bad, except by His will? That He hears those who call out to Him and He responds? Do we believe that out of His mercy, He sent mankind guidance and that He revealed the Quran as a recital, a purification a healing, a mercy but most importantly as a guidance for our lives? Do we believe that there is an answer to guide us found therein? Do we believe that out of the mercy of Allah taala, He sent the Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was sent as a mercy to all creation and so every decision, every act, every word he uttered is from that mercy? That the prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the best example for those who believe in Allah and the last day. Honestly, do we believe that there will be a life in the graves of either punishment or ease? Do we believe we will be brought back to life again and stand before Allah for judgment? That there are only two outcomes, the mercy of Allah or His justice; Success or failure; Heaven or Hell? What are we sending forth before us?!

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Being A Lighthouse on a Stormy Night
The student must ask himself this and then act accordingly inward and outward, publicly and privately. It is through the right action of the people of knowledge, scholars and students alike, that deep and lasting change can be effected. It is a duty upon them to be agents of change, ambassadors of Islam and beacons of light in these stormy times. We leave you with a reminder from Umar (Radi Allahu anhu) and an ayat to take as a mantra. As for the words of sayyidina Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he said, We are a people Allah has raised in honor by Islam whoever seeks honor in other than it, Allah will humiliate them. And as for the words of Allah, to keep in your heart and upon your tongue, they are, Say: Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. (6:162) And with Allah is all success.

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