Aalimiyyah Credentials
Q1) How can one verify the depth of knowledge and academic grounding of a person who has completed the ‘Aalimiyyah program? What practical method or ‘litmus test’ can be used when meeting a graduate to discern whether they have thoroughly studied and mastered the books, as opposed to merely passing through without diligence?
A1) Our senior Ulama of the country have considered that when a person completes the entire Dars e Nizaami course, and successfully passes the examinations set by the various Darul Ulooms, he is regarded as having qualified as an Aalim. Thereafter he is granted a Sanad confirming his qualification.
Hence, the completion of the full course, together with successfully passing the required examinations and obtaining the Sanad, is sufficient to establish that a person has qualified as an Aalim.
Q2) What specific criteria or clear red flags should one look for to assess a graduate’s academic readiness, understanding of the Deen, and adherence to the methodology of our pious predecessors?
A2) This has been answered in question 1.
Q3) What essential advice and guidance would you impart to current students of the ‘Aalimiyyah course, to ensure that they make full use of their time, acquire aptitude, and build a solid foundation in the sacred sciences?
Q3) We should study with the correct intention. Our intention should be to acquire the knowledge of Deen for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, and to practise upon what we learn.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:
حدَّثنا الحُمَيْدِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بنُ الزُّبَيْرِ(١)قالَ: حدَّثنا سُفْيانُ(٢)،قالَ:حدَّثنا يَحْيَى بنُ سَعِيدٍ الأنصاريُّ،قالَ:أخبَرَني مُحَمَّدُ بنُ إبراهيمَ التَّيْمِيُّ: أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَلْقَمَةَ بنَ وقَّاصٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ يقولُ:
سمعتُ عُمَرَ بنَ الخَطَّابِ عَلَى المِنْبَرِ، قالَ(٣): سمعتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِﷺيقولُ: «إِنَّما الأعمالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وإِنَّما لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ ما نَوَى، فَمَنْ كانتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلى دُنْيا يُصِيبُها، أو إلى(٤)امْرأَةٍ يَنْكِحُها، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلى ما هاجَرَ إليهِ
“Actions are judged according to intentions.” (Bukhari)
We should make an effort to establish good qualities while we are students. We should develop Taqwa, humility, respect for our teachers and seniors and good character. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:
عن أبى هريرة، قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أكمل المؤمنين إيمانا أحسنئهم
خلقا، وخياركم خياركم لنسائهم
“The believers with the most complete Imaan are those with the best character.” (Tirmidhi)
We should make Mutaala’ah (preparation and homework) and Takraar (revision) a part of our daily routine. Whatever we have learnt should be revised and repeated. The years of studying are a very valuable opportunity to build a strong foundation in the Deen.
We should be punctual for our classes. We should understand that the time of our teachers and fellow students is also valuable. Coming late to class and missing lessons will eventually have an effect on our studies. We should, therefore, make every effort to attend our lessons regularly and on time.
We should make sure that our Salaah is performed with Jama’ah, especially as students of Deen. We should not take the matter of Jama’ah lightly, as it is mentioned in a Hadith that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:
حدَّثنا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ،قالَ:أخبَرَنا مالِكٌ،عن نافِعٍ:
عن عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ(١): أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِﷺقالَ:«صَلاةُ الجَماعَةِ تَفْضُلُ صَلاةَ الفَذِّ بِسَبْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ دَرَجَةً»
“Salaah in congregation is superior to the Salaah of a person praying alone, by twenty-seven degrees.”
We should be very careful about missing Jama’ah. If a person is studying Deen but is careless about performing Salaah with Jama’ah, especially when he is able to do so, then this is something which should concern him. We are studying Deen so that it can be seen in our lives, and not merely so that we can acquire information.
We should be extremely cautious regarding what we eat and consume. Halaal and Haraam have an effect on a person’s spirituality. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:
، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِﷺ:« أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، إِنَّ اللهَ طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا طَيِّبًا،
“O people, indeed Allah is Pure and accepts only that which is pure.”
We should make full use of our student years and stay away from unnecessary distractions. We should value the opportunity which Allah Ta’ala has given us to study the Deen and remain in the company of the pious and senior Ulama. We should make an effort to bring the knowledge we learn into our lives.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Muhammad Yusuf Sulaiman
Date: 27 September 1448 / 09 September 2026
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb