[VottCetaVeivE]

The biggest fitna is women and drugs.

One big fitna is the usury based student loan which has become widespread in the Western universities. If a Muslim student starts his university life using usury based loan , he has already committed a very big fitna. More on this student loan is here.

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http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...ed-in-the-West

Many Muslim students are lured by the student loans which are really traps. This trap is explained in this article.


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http://www.henrymakow.com/greekfilmmakescase.html

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Andrew said (June 20, 2011):

And let's not forget the vicious trap of student loans and institutions dolling out money to income-less, asset-less kids desperate to get qualified on the on the flimsiest guarantee of 'potential future earnings'. Particularly odious for their serpentine entrapment of the young and naive.

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[Eunatis]

Advice is always appreciated, I'm a new university student, this is my first week and I hate it here. I believe I am the only Muslim in my uni which makes the point of on ISOC pretty much redundant. I just lock myself in my room and do my own thing unless I need the toilet/shower/eat/shop/lecture. Other than that I don't go out period. In the beginning I didnt intend to return for the second year because I dont like the idea of using a usury based loan, but now I just don't want to return period.

[JacomoR]

,

I noticed when students get bored in class they look at other people's faces (there starts the fitna), the solution is to take with you notes of other subjects or even read/repeat known surahs (easy with today's mobile) or even do dhikr. That way no sins nor any time wasted.
Also one should ponder that Allah is watching me constantly and to make it practical think you mum or grandma or something you love dearly is just behind you and being saddened by your conduct.
One should protect oneself and give naseeha to other brothers also, that will insha'Allah apply pressure also on yourself.
One does not have to go to pubs and bars to socialise, many other occasions can occur for school works to be done in groups etc. so muslims should not use this as an excuse to sin. Non-muslims are themselves uneasy to go there and merely do so not to be rejected, like for smoking.
The key point is off course to be linked to the pious ones, go to masjid every time you can,...

my own case is simply not to attend the classes, since courses are not fardh where I am, only mubah, I study on my own .

[Bejemoelemymn]

From this thread : http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...ducation/page3

1. Try to come late for your classes. When I say late, i do not mean force fully coming late or bunking classes, what I mean is, enter the class just as your Professor/Teacher enters. In this way you wont have to socialise or join in an ongoing conversation with the same or different sex.
[ I am not saying not to socialise. But the topics students in co education universities/schools talk about these days... is better ignored.] By doing this you can also greet your professor and thus hopefully have a better relationship with them.

2. Try sitting in the first bench/front row. When you sit in the first row you will only be looking front thus concentrating on your studies and also the eyes dont wander around. Makes it easier to lower the gaze. [Coming late to class as mentioned in point 1 and then getting a front row sear might be a problem. What can be done is leave a rough note book and a pen on one of the tables -- it kind of points that the place is reserved ]

[auctionlover]

Can members please give some more practical tips. I particular like the suggestions to:
1. Listen to lectures on earphones and keep your head down when around university.
2. Stay in a rental home instead of uni dormitories.

Someone suggested in another thread somewhere that one should arrive into class just before the teacher and this will reduce the time before class when you feel like you have to interact with those around you. I thought this was a very useful tip. A couple of years ago when I had to attend meetings, I found the time before the meeting begun very diffcult to endure when those around you insisted on making small talk. As a person who likes to be early for everything, if I had used that tip, I would have saved myself from alot of awkward situations.

Any tips for sisters in particlar? BrotherJohn and Aram, please write more.

Assalamu aliakum,

I just graduated from university last year. I can tell you I did all of the things you said in 1 and 2. Yes they are good to avoid fitna in the short term. But consider this. The people who hang out in MSA (I guess it is the north american version of iSoc in UK) and get to meet girls - some of them are already married after graduation even without jobs because they are "in love". I am not married because I didn't meet anyone and I don't have a real job because since I was only in and out I did not get to make any contacts, gather tricks of the industry, attend corporate recruiting events properly (alcohol, salaat problem, etc. - I did attend a couple but its not the same unless you completely give up your inhibitions and let your nafs loose). Whereas even my siblings who lived on campus residence and hung around university taking full advantage already have offers from international firms with top$$$ which people using normal channels cannot acquire even with years of experience. My siblings however did not do anything outright haram at all. They were punctual on salaat on every occasion and always at 100% halaal.

So a lot can also be achieved by staying within the larger of Islam. The total isolationist approach in my opinion will not yield successful results overall in most circumstances. And if the argument is that just hang around with brothers/sisters - that is not practically possible either as most of the brothers and sisters are hanging around with each other. In my opinion one can stay on campus dormitories and socialize within boundaries and practice Islam.

I don't really get what fitna there is. Maximum there is fitna of the eyes or danger of talking to girls. I have never seen drugs on campus (though alcohol is rampant and openly allowed). Unless someone is completely out of the deen already, one's conscience will not allow one to go very far astray. Maximum one will do is chat with girls and that's it. Things like zina and actually consuming alcohol is too far-fetched for someone who is already praying salaat.

[jamemeveRhype]

ASAK,

I went to a university where MSA was not very active and there were quite a few Shia's active in it as well. I did not take any part in their activities, instead, I tried to be attached to TJ though did not had enough time to go out for jamaat.

Also it’s very hard not to intermix, there will be group projects and activities. Being married helped me the most, and saved me from a lot fitnah. Going to school single is very tough on most (in US), even the most pious guys I know have girlfriends though they might not be doing zinah (of that type). Even though you might be married, you still need to take special care of your gazes, it’s very tough even for those who are strong in faith. That brings me to another “interesting” point, there used to be these Hijabi girls who not only wore hijab but also wore very tight dresses, doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of hijab (instead of being obscure, one becomes center of attention)... guys used to just ogled them.

Another thing that sure can help is having a Masjid/Musallah on campus, where one can keep up with Salah, as going there is a constant reminder of who we are and what we should not indulge ourselves (for some it’s like getting back on track, they start to get derailed and then it's Salah time, which somewhat gets you back on track). Finally, one should totally avoided going to parties (at friends place), pubs and clubs for any kind of class or group meetings.

You will invariably find Salafis everywhere on the campus, the best way to deal with them is not to get into too much of arguments (unnecessary animosity) and have a strong sheikh to fall back on in case if you have any questions/doubts. Someone suggested listening bayaans on cell phones, and not staring at opposite sex (extended eye contact), I totally second them.

Lastly, on student loans, it’s becoming unconceivable to go to school without a student loan (and I am not advocating anyone to take any interest based loans for education, I am actually asking everyone not to do that – you can ask your employer to sponsor, save money, etc). If one is planning to go to a first/second tier university in US, it’s going to cost them atleast 50-70k/year (out of state). I think slowly all basic essential services such as education, health care, housing are being designed in such a way that anyone who wants to avial these services has to have some kind of interest based loans or insurance. But that’s another topic though!

[jamemeveRhype]

WAS,

I agree MSA is a great way of finding a spouse (though not sure what their success rates are?). BTW, one can attend campus recruiting events without missing salah and consuming alcohol, though I am not sure how to best avoid shaking hands with opposite sex?

ASAK!

[Storwaytozy]

Well for the back benchers who cant tolerate the teachers, take a nice book with u n start reading in the class.Right now aap beti by hazrat shaykh is my class dose..

[Storwaytozy]

Well for the back benchers who cant tolerate the teachers, take a nice book with u n start reading in the class.Right now aap beti by hazrat shaykh is my class dose..

Even if that fails i.e teacher is in motion in the classroom, i look at the black board n start doing muraqabah with open eyes..

[bMc8F9ZI]

wrwb.

Sunnah's Sunnah's Sunnah's

[Eunatis]

WAS,

I agree MSA is a great way of finding a spouse (though not sure what their success rates are?). BTW, one can attend campus recruiting events without missing salah and consuming alcohol, though I am not sure how to best avoid shaking hands with opposite sex?

ASAK!

السلام عليكم

Regarding shaking the hands I can help you ther. The first day of university we had a talk by the Mistress. Before she started as we walked in a girl was in front of me, she starting talking to me and introduced herself. She offered her hand to shake and being caught off guard I took it and shook it. I immediately regretted it and made sure I would make a plan to avoid this.

So I went back and imagined a scenario where a woman offers her hand to shake. I imagined myself and how I would act and alhamdulillah it hasnt failed me yet this week. All I do is when a woman offers her hand to shake I pretend I didnt notice it. Rather then blank her I be looking a slightly different direction so it looks like I never saw her hand. She quickly retracts it and the conversation continues just as normal, neither her nor her friends bring it up neither do I because afterall I never saw it *winkwink*.

Alhamdulillah it works so well that even when Im with a guy and he shakes their hands I pretend I didnt notice and its fine. Best thing is while introducing yourself do something else without seeming rude. I usually smile as I'm introducing myself, appear friendly, and take my glasses off, squint at the people Im talking to while wiping my glasses. They dont even bother offering their hand despite giving it to the other guy, no point as they assume I cant see past my nose.

It is something many fall into, many brothers wont get too friendly with girls, will avoid pubs and clubs etc etc but will allow the quick handshake with the opposite sex just to not seem rude or they think its a one off. But there are many ways to avoid shaking hands if you dont want to alhamdulillah.

و عليكم السلام

[ashleyjoseph]

Be a loner. Dont make friends. Go to class, do what you gotta do, go home, dont spend a minute longer than you have to at school. Stay out of MSA.

[ashleyjoseph]

Dress in complete sunnah attire including turban.

[ashleyjoseph]

Always remember that university is for learning the science of making money - not the place to learn deen.

[lerobudrse]

I read that MSA is a great way to find a spouse...in some ways I can agree but this point should be such a distant point on being part of the MSA. This is why scholars are saying more and more that one should not join the MSA, because of this mentality precisely. Brothers/sisters join the MSA thinking of getting a spouse and that becomes their stimulus. What happens next? Barriers break, a lot of intermingling happens without you even noticing, and before you know it an environment that should have been a safe haven for the muslims turned into a social club with no haya, and at that point their is no difference between the muslim student association and the cultural clubs.

If I had to give advice to the sisters it would be to be as stern with the brothers as possible. Don't have emotion, talking to brothers should be ONLY WHEN NECESSARY, and it should be formal and that is it. No personal discussion. Women do not understand the influence they can have on a brother, Allah swt has made some brothers hearts so soft that a womans laughing/giggling smiling can transfix his thoughts. If sisters think that by being "cutesy" will land them the guy they want, the sister need to re-think of the guy they want, because that same guy thought the 1000 other girls were cute when they did the same tricks.

The same advice for a guy. And that advice is to this sinner (me) talking about what to do because it becomes harder when more people neglect their responsibilities. I found myself wanting to "open up" and be humorous in MSA emails because others were doing so, may Allah (swt) protect me.

Some may think that this advice is too far or too extreme. That really depends on where you are on your path to Allah (swt), and how far you want to go to attain his love.

I could write more but it would be off topic, just came back from an exam so I am a little tired. If anyone has specific questions I would be happy to answer, this subject needs to be ingrained into young men/women

[ëàìèíàò]

I recently started wearing a hijab, when college started many people noticed the change that I made, many of my Muslim friends congratulated me, some of my non-muslim and muslim friends however didn't understand why I started to wear a hijab, to many of them it seemed weird. Some difficulties that I face is people judging me or thinking negativity on me due to what they hear about Muslims. One way I decided to over come this was becoming involved with my college by joining clubs, being involved with charities.

[avaincmolla]

For the repsonses.

A few questions:

How would you handle issues where during a lecture, a teacher was quite openly islamophobic, or would mention issues that contradict the beleifs of a Muslim? How easy/ difficult was it to speak up at these times?

Do you feel the university environment, with all its flaws, actually prepared you for living in the real world where a person would be employed in a mixed environment anyway? Did university help you prepare for that, or do you feel it made intermingling acceptable to you to some degree?

Did any of you keep up regular zikr / tilawat during university, or did your studies overwhelm your time?

If you could chnage one thing about the way you conducted yourself in uni, what would it be?

For those who mentioned they kept in contact with shuyookh etc to keep their feet on the gorund, what was the best piece of advice you were ever given regarding uni life?

for the answers. Please keep them coming. I am working with the local ISoc and going in weekly with a few of our mature students to give weekly talks, advice etc. Some of the issues that you faced and talk about will help me to better understand the challenges they face.

Bismihee Ta'aala

Asalamualaikum. Where should I begin?


If a teacher is openly islamophobic the best thing to do is talk to them after class. Tell them that you feel offended, and ask them why they feel that way. Be kind and polite, but if they continue then report it to the dean. I remember one teacher told a muslim brother to go back to his country. Alhumdulillah the teacher later apologized and everything was good after that.

University life actually helped me a lot in life. I learned so much like how take care of myself as well as get to know how people really are. In college you meet tons of new people, especially all kinds of muslims. College really taught me how to interact with people.

Don't look at women. Alhumdulillah I try my best, but I admit a person's gaze will slip here and there. Immediately say istigfar and clear your mind. The biggest problem at school is women. Try your best not interact with them at all! One thing that really helps me, is to wear a kurta or thobe to school. By looking like a muslim, I've noticed women don't try talking to me unless if absolutely necessary. I have noticed that they don't even try to sit by me Alhumdulillah.

If you don't want to wear a thobe or kurta then atleast roll your pants above the ankles, grow a fist-full beard and wear a kuffi. Have the signs of a muslim because this will also help.

If your a woman, then wear a niqaab. If you don't want to wear a niqaab then minimum hijaab and burqa.

For both women and men dress nice, but not to nice. Why? because if you dress too attractive then of course you going to get hit on.

My advice for people in the US is to stay away from MSA. MSA is not what it use to be. MSA in the past was a place where brothers could meet other brothers and sisters meet other sisters in order to help each other stay away from fitna. MSA's here in America especially in Chicago are terrible. Yes they do a lot of good work, inviting scholars etc. However, all the meetings are open (guys and girls seeing each other), and it's just another meetingplace for guys and girls. Make good muslim friends, but there is no real reason to be part of the MSA. Go to there events as long as they are seperated, but not their meetings.

I don't know how many times I heard of the MSA male president and female president getting married after college. Now maybe it was arranged, Allahu A'alim.

Also if a woman talks to you, don't talk to them unnecessarily. Answer what they need nicely, and immediately move on. Don't even think why she came up to, for example, is it because she likes me? etc.

For a woman, if a man talks to you, talk in a way that is not inviting. By talking to him sweet and gentle he will feel more comfortable in talking to you and will try again.


In college it is difficult to keep up with your dhikr sometimes, but that is why you talk to your shaykh. For example, my shaykh told me that I could do all my mamoolat while driving. Also your shaykh will prescribe for you what dhikr to do based on your personal situation. Remember all this dhikr doesn't replace the mandatory acts of ibadaah in Islam.

Best advice my Shaykh gave me was don't look at any women, including your female teachers. Now, I am a very talkative person in class and it is difficult not to look at your teacher especially when you talk a lot. That is why you got to learn how to make it seem like you looking at them, but in reality you aren't. Basically when talking to them, look past their shoulder or above their head.

My advice to people is not to take philosophy in college if possible. I know a few brothers who left Islam after taking philosophy. Now if you have to take it (like I did), let it go through one ear and out the other. Don't ponder on what you learn!

You can learn a lot in college, especially about all the different types of muslims. Keep an open-mind and don't judge any-one. However, always stay within the limits of Shariah. DO NOT EVER COMPROMISE SHARIAH! People will come to respect you for this.

Also try to set up a weekly halaqah or something inside the college musallah. Give a brief 5-10 minute talk about islam and get to know one another. Don't shove Islam down any-one's throat! One good thing we have at my university is every friday after jumah we have surah kahf program. Who-ever wants to stay will read surha khaf either in a group or individually. The groups are led by huffaz.

Try setting up a prayer schedule in the musallah also.

Last, but not least, don't ever get discouraged by the amount of people wheter it be 100 people that come or 0. Remember everything is for the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

Remember never compromise Shariah.


Forgive me and correct me for anything I might have said wrong.

[botagozzz]

Be a loner. Dont make friends. Go to class, do what you gotta do, go home, dont spend a minute longer than you have to at school. Stay out of MSA.

This is an isolationist approach which is not good for a career. Muslim male students need to learn the art of networking so that they know all the tricks of a job market and the corporate world.

Outwardly , he should be with the worldly people , inwardly he should be with his divine Beloved.
This is a sufi skill which needs to be learnt from a good Sufi shaykh.

[botagozzz]

Dress in complete sunnah attire including turban.

Sunnah attire in which style ? Pakistani style in a Western uni ?

A Muslim student should be aware of the cultural context of his university environment and accordingly
choose a style that is a good balance between sunnah attire and halal attire.
This is a tricky issue which should be discussed with a good scholar.

If you choose a wrong dressing style , the other students and teachers will consider you a social imbecile
and you may miss many career opportunities and networking chances.

[avaincmolla]

Sunnah attire in which style ? Pakistani style in a Western uni ?

A Muslim student should be aware of the cultural context of his university environment and accordingly
choose a style that is a good balance between sunnah attire and halal attire.
This is a tricky issue which should be discussed with a good scholar.

If you choose a wrong dressing style , the other students and teachers will consider you a social imbecile
and you may miss many career opportunities and networking chances.

Bismihee Ta'aala

Asalamualaikum.

Totally disagree with this. Alhumdulillah I wear a kurta to thobe to school everyday. On top of that, I am very close to ALL my teachers. On top of that I am the most talkative in class. On top of that I have noticed that people start to respect you more for being different especially if you are trying to follow your religion.

I have a friend who works for Shell, not in a gas station, but at the company in Houston. He wears a kurta or thobe everyday. Guess what? No-one says anything to him.

People don't care as much how you dress as long as you look neat and clean. They base you more off of your character.

This is a time where muslims can interact with non-muslims and show them what Islam is truely about (obviously males with males, females with females).