Al Azhar university

[mm12]

Assalaamu 'alaykum

How does one go about applying to Al-Azhar. The website isn't really helpful.

Jazakallah

[Fajr]

You can't really apply over the internet (in fact there's not much you can do from the net!). They take in applications in the registration offices in Cairo usually between Aug - Oct, but inshaa'Allah there's no harm securing yourself beforehand.

I remember going to their offices a couple of years ago with a friend who went to apply, the only problem was she didn't have proper Iqaamah (residence), so they gave her a bit of hassle and not much got done - she gave up afterwards because the process became extremely long and winded. Iqaamah is one of the first things they look at, so if you have that sorted, then inshaa'Allah it should be ok.

The other thing is, al-Azhar have schools that you might have to go through before entering their university faculties. The schools may not apply to you, but they are usually for those who havent reached faculty level in their arabic and Islamic studies. They also have something called Diraasah al-Khaasah which is a 1-year program designed for fairly new students. Depending on their assessment of you, you'll be placed into either the faculty, the schools or the Diraasah al-Khaasa.

Sometimes however, there's no assessment and you can enter straight into the faculties (e.g. Usool al-Deen).

[Fajr]

This was posted on Suhaib Webb's blog:

What you need to know to get into Al-Azhar in Brief:

1. Try to have no less than 2 juz of Qur’an memorized.

2. If you are not fluent in Arabic consider studying in an Arabic center in Cairo for a year before taking the exams. al-Azhar has no department for teaching Arabic to non-Arabs. In addition, teachers utilize both Egyptian colloquial and Fusha. However, most of instruction in al-Azhar is conducted in Fusha and if requested, Fusha it will be employed to accommodate you.

3. Being a student of knowledge is a serious endeavor. Thus, I advise brothers and sisters to exhaust all their local resources before setting off to study in Egypt. It is wise to utilize the scholars and Imams in your locality before setting abroad. This is also the is the Sunnah of the Ulema –to learn firstly in one’s locality before traveling abroad to seek knowledge. Once you have exhausted your resources then you should prepare yourself to study abroad.

It makes little to no sense for a person to travel to Egypt to learn a basic book of Fiqh, Tajwid or some other science that can be learned in our lands, in the West. The Islamic sciences can be learned at a basic introductory level in our home countries as we have many teachers who are well qualified and experienced in teaching at this level. Also, failing to study in our countries for introductory level instruction undercuts the efforts of the Institutions in the West that are aiming at disseminating Islamic education.

4. It is beneficial to remember that al-Azhar, in its hey day, existed in a first world setting. Currently, Egypt no longer occupies a first world position as it once did. This is why the student of knowledge encounters many challenges and tends to be saddened by his or her experience.

Despite the challenges one may face given third world conditions is one is patient there is much benefit to be found in the Azhar of today that exists in a third world setting. Currentyl, al-Azhar is witnessing a revival so classes are to be found in the masjid at various levels and are possessed of a high degree of organization despite the environmental pressures. Cairo is one of the world’s largest cities numerically being thus one finds all the problems of a big city. Despite, pollution and the hecticness of life in Cairo and the city slicker attitude one comes to encounter there is much knowledge to be gained and many lessons to be learned in the city of a 1000 minarets. The student should not expect utopia but that does not preclude that he or she will not find the intellectual and spiritual jewels that prompt the student of knowledge to travel. It must be said that these jewels are found only by the student who is willing to endure and struggle and sacrifice for knowledge and seeks to please Allah {swt} in the contemporary world.

5. Having Ikhlaas and a heart dedicated to your Lord in the process of registering. You are required to have 5 photo copies of your passport, three passport pictures [to be taken in Egypt] , a letter from your embassy granting you permission to study in Egypt. In addition, you are required to have blood work done either the Hussein Hospital or the Zahraa hospital both which are under the supervision of al-Azhar and yo must have paper work given to you by the majma bahouth [registrar’s office] so that the results of your blood work is recorded and presented to al-Azhar so that your paper work is complete. al-Azhar recognizes blood work from the two hospitals mentioned as they are under the Azhari system.

You may need proof that you are Muslim if your name Islamic and written on your passport. You can a certificate declaring your profession of faith from the mashaikha or the office of Shaikh al-Azhar which is close to the al-Azhar masjid.

Subject matters that compromise the entrance exam:

1. Hadith

2. Nahu

3. Sarf

4. Balagha

5. Fiqh according to one of the four schools

6. Aqeeda (according to the ‘Ashari school [what is required in this area is very basic information])

7. Sirah

8. Tafsir

You can find the books that will help you for the entrance exams behind Masjid al-Azhar in the Dar al-Atrak area. There is a book shop known as al-maktab al-Azhariyah and they have what are known as the Tawdih series (Yes, Azhari cliff notes) for every subject that one is tested in.

There are oral exams along with written exams. After you take the oral exams you will be placed in the part of the examination process which requires writing it consists of the eight subjects listed above. Depending on how well you prepare for the tests you will be either placed in the middle school or the high school. Most students who prepare well invest 1 to 2 years in the high school wherein they study al-Fiyah ibn Malik, a madhab, arabic rhetoric and literature and hadith and tafsir etc. The base of Azhari education is in its high school system. Education there is not bad at all, you will study a number of good traditional texts there.

After a few months (because the exams to get in are in the middle of the year) you will be eligible to take two exams:

If you failed to make it to the last year of high school then you can test for the next year (to move up a grade). Or you can take the test to get into the university (in other words kinda like a test for the high school diploma.) If you pass the exit exam you can chose from one of the following colleges:

* Usol al-Din
* Shari’ah
* Arabic language
* Qur’an (eight year program)
* Dawa
* Islamic studies

The first two have the best reputation. However, don’t expect anything like your used to back home. there is NO ORGANIZATION so you must have a great deal of patience.

6. Exams start in late October early November. Thus, you need to have your paper work turned in to the office of foreign students in Nasir City by September/late August.

This office is behind the Women’s dorms located at the intersection of Mustapha Nahas and Tayran streets. It is one the sixth or eighth floor of the building. The building is simply known as the Idara. Go there around 10 am. The will close very shortly after the noon prayer.

7. Finally, Egypt is made up of all types of groups from the Salafis to the Shadhulis. Thus, students who have a balanced outlook and avoid being too extreme, and carry themselves in a balanced manner are successful in Egypt as they are able to deal with the diversity which represents the society and the Muslim ummah.

Remember the statement of your Lord,

“Thus we’ve made you a balanced nation.” Although you have these different groups there is a general feeling of love and brotherhood amongst most of them which we lack in the West.”

Why al-Azhar?:

One of the reasons that I chose al-Azhar and why I would recommend it, is because of the depth and maturity in outlook that the program cultitvates. You will not come out of Egypt hating sufis, bashing salafis and spending your life on mundane issues. You will, inshallah, come out with a profound respect for others and a love and concern for humanity. You will learn to appreciate your condition and strive harder to be a better human being and service society muslim and otherwise. It is really something incredible here to meet, live with and read from so many persons of different thoughts, ideas and orientations, so many scholars.

Note:

If you want to come here to start the latest click, cool fad or are bent on being intolerant of others then this is the wrong place to come. People come here to help the Ummah and be of benefit to humanity.

I encourage all of you, who are serious students to come, I’m your brother here and you will find me more than willing to help you the best I can. We have now, by Allah’s blessing, around 10 students in al-Azhar form the West and a few more entering this year. Thus, you are welcome.

Which is better Syria/Egypt?

This is really a very harmful question. All of these places have benefit. I’ve seem some amazing students come out of all of these lands and I’ve seen my share of flunkies. As one of our teachers told us, “99% of it rest on the student’s heart and his hal with Allah.” Thus, let’s avoid this type of dangerous competition and say, “All are, inshallah, on goodness from Allah.” I have nothing but respect and awe for the students of knowledge from Sham and other places and feel that they are really very special people. Let move towards developing each other and not destroying each other.

Costs:

1. Up until now Al-Azhar is free although there is a rumor that they will begin to charge Westerners $400.00 yearly next year. However, books and everything are very cheap here in Egypt. For example I bought the ‘Amir’s printing of Lisan al-’Arab for $75 USD.
2. Living is cheap as well for many. But for families it can get interesting. There are a number of Islamic schools for children here and some of them can get a little pricey. At the same time there are others that are good and the price is decent.
3. If you are married make sure brothers to involve your wife in the process. There are many great Women scholars here and a number of places for women to study. However, it is important to get out and not live in the Arabic language centers. That is a first step and you should try to move beyond that after you have a good mastery of the language.
4. It is important to surround yourself with Westerners who can help you and keep you cool. Egyptian people are very good but poverty is eating at the faith like a termite eats wood. Things are not easy for them. You will see a lot of boy friend girl friend stuff, people smoking weed, robberies and other things. Thus, you need your fellow students to offer you support and fraternity in such situations.
5. It should, if all goes according to plan, take you 6-7 years to complete the Azhari program.

With love and respect.

Suhaib D. Webb

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/blog/2007/05/22/coming-soon/

[Abuz Zubair]

It's so sad and frustrating that the easier it is getting enrolled in Sufi-Ash'ari institutes, the harder it is getting enrolled in Sunni institutes. We are living in very sad times.

[Abu Maryam PK]

It's so sad and frustrating that the easier it is getting enrolled in Sufi-Ash'ari institutes, the harder it is getting enrolled in Sunni institutes. We are living in very sad times.
True. Add to it the newsweek propoganda against jamiah islamiah of terrorism.

[Fajr]

I think it was shaykh Saalim al-Amry who when asked, said that there are still a good number of professors at al-Azhar upon the correct 'aqeedah - you just have to know who they are and be able to study from them. But I agree, it's quite sad how difficult it is to enrol in proper Islamic universities or even ma'hads & jam'iahs in some parts of the Muslim world - not just for Muslims in the west, but also non-nationals.

[mm12]

This is the problem I face. The city of my University, has no facilities for me to study Islam. So I thought I would study abroad (Engineering), in a Muslim country, where there would be strong communities of Muslim, where I could attend lessons to build up my Islamic knowledge/Arabic. But it is difficult for non-nationals to attend these places.

Its so difficult for me to pursue an Islamic education.

[Abuz Zubair]

And hence the need for us to have our own institutes in the West... There is probably not a continent except that the Deobandis have more than one institute there.

[mm12]

And hence the need for us to have our own institutes in the West... There is probably not a continent except that the Deobandis have more than one institute there.

Yeah, my hometown has like 4 Deobandi places alone. insha'Allah someone should get one started in the UK.

[Umm Ahmed]

And hence the need for us to have our own institutes in the West... There is probably not a continent except that the Deobandis have more than one institute there.

Yeah thats true , when you think how many brothers from the west study in Medina and Mekkah , where do they all go ?

[Abuz Zubair]

Yeah thats true , when you think how many brothers from the west study in Medina and Mekkah , where do they all go ?
They stay in Makkah and Madina... They are often encouraged by some Mashaykh to stay and not to go back, unfortunately.

[Umm Ahmed]

They stay in Makkah and Madina... They are often encouraged by some Mashaykh to stay and not to go back, unfortunately.

Thats not right , isnt that the whole point of them going, so that they can return to UK and teach others ?

[Abuz Zubair]

You see, 'seeking knowledge' is more like a culture amongst many Salafis, which rarely carries a sense of responsibility. People want to seek knowledge for the sake of it, yet have no desire to do anything with it. This is why many of these people just learn and remain inactive for the rest of their lives. They may do academically well in Madina or elsewhere, but their knowledge remains stagnant. Whereas there may be others who have never been to madina or anywhere else, yet, they are far more knowledgeable than these graduates, because they were serious, not only about seeking knowledge, but also benefiting others with it.

[Logic lover]

Abdz Zubayr wrote:

''Whereas there may be others who have never been to madina or anywhere else, yet, they are far more knowledgeable than these graduates, because they were serious, not only about seeking knowledge, but also benefiting others with it.''


How do we reconcile this statement with the fact that not studying in a proper manner may render one's knowledge as untrustworthy and hence not good enough to be spread to others?

[justabro]

Abdz Zubayr wrote:

''Whereas there may be others who have never been to madina or anywhere else, yet, they are far more knowledgeable than these graduates, because they were serious, not only about seeking knowledge, but also benefiting others with it.''


How do we reconcile this statement with the fact that not studying in a proper manner may render one's knowledge as untrustworthy and hence not good enough to be spread to others?

The universities are not necessarily the best environments for getting knowledge, youll find on Multaqa Ahl al-Hadith mention of many scholars who are frustrated with the universities and prefer to teach outside the university setting independently because then those who are sincere and serious about learning come, while, at universities, they have to deal with students who are more interested in degrees than anything else (at least, some are, not all).

[Abul-Fadl]

I agree that talabat al-'ilm should be coming back to the west and teaching knowledge but sadly with most people there needs to be a framework in place for them to think that they are doing themselves justice. And after all not everyone can start things from scratch and initiate things. that quality is rare and has very little if anything to do with knowledge .

So for them its choosing between the environment they are in or coming back to an accounting job and giving a few duroos on the weekend.

but yeah its sad. Some brothers have high level pieces of paper but are now teaching English in Saudi(nothing wrong with the profession but doesn't really match the many years now does it?)

Another think to think about is: maybe its not the students but the system, i mean i know of students in ksa uni's and i know of students in Mauritania and Yemen and every single time ive noticed that the uni students are what you would call "paper writers" but the later group are usually very strong and more likely to be actively teaching in a climate like uk . Im not generalizing but these are just my observations.

So could the style/ease/environment of the system be a reason for inactive brothers? maybe, maybe not Allaahu A'lam
.

[Fajr]

Some good inputs.

Shaykh Tawfeeq Choudhury made interesting points in one of his courses regarding Imaams in the UK - what are their roles in disseminating knowledge, are they to blame for the lack of direction in our communities, or does the fault lie in us? He also stated that yes, unfortunately a lot of students from the West who graduate for example, from Madinah University don't go back as active da'ees/teachers.

I find the likes of Yasir Qadhi, Muhammad al-Shareef and Tawfeeq Choudhury etc (call them '2nd/older generation' if you like) are a lot more active and more prepared to bring about the much needed change and actually try to satisfy the demand younger Muslims have here when it comes to 'ilm, and societal guidance etc.

I agree though that there is the problem of a lack of framework and structure, but then again, maybe we can get around that by combining what we have available of modes of teaching (structured courses, booklets, ppt presentations, weekend courses, short 3-4 month courses etc) and utilise all we have here. I'm sure returning students of knowledge are aware of the avenues of teachings - al-Maghrib and al-Kauthar being great success stories in and of themselves mashaa'Allaah.

[Umm Ahmed]

If your living in cities there are courses such as those mentioned by sister fajr , but every masjid up and down UK should be trying hard to give something to the community , I know some masjids are not open during the week in smaller communities,which is sad because the youth need the connection with other muslims on a daily basis .
On a side note ,who funds the smaller masajids ?

[Muhammed]

Some good inputs.

Shaykh Tawfeeq Choudhury made interesting points in one of his courses regarding Imaams in the UK - what are their roles in disseminating knowledge, are they to blame for the lack of direction in our communities, or does the fault lie in us? He also stated that yes, unfortunately a lot of students from the West who graduate for example, from Madinah University don't go back as active da'ees/teachers.

I find the likes of Yasir Qadhi, Muhammad al-Shareef and Tawfeeq Choudhury etc (call them '2nd/older generation' if you like) are a lot more active and more prepared to bring about the much needed change and actually try to satisfy the demand younger Muslims have here when it comes to 'ilm, and societal guidance etc.
.

Subhan'Allah, it really is saddening to see the lack of Ahlus Sunnah based learning institutes in Britain. If we look at the instructors at Al Kauthar; Yasir Qadhi (USA) Tawfique Choudhury and Belal Assad (Australia),. Abu Abissalam (South East England) may Allah preserve them. Three of those brothers come from outside UK to teach us. It seems that brothers from outside the UK are more well known than brothers right here in our back yard. For example the likes of Yahya Ibrahim, Muhammed Al Shareef, Anwar Al Awlaki, Ali at Timimi, Khalid Yasin, Abu Usamah, Dr Saleh as Saleh, Yusuf Estas, Bilal Philps, Abdur Rauf Shakir, Yasir Qadhi, Tawfique Choudhury, Jamal Zarabozo etc. are more well known, and people are taking them as an example of the da'ee in the west. Personally, I can only think of Jalal ibn Saeed, Abu Abdissalam, Abu Eesa, Few of the Spubs brothers, Suhaib Hasan from the UK. (In all fairness the Muslim population is less here)

If your living in cities there are courses such as those mentioned by sister fajr , but every masjid up and down UK should be trying hard to give something to the community , I know some masjids are not open during the week in smaller communities,which is sad because the youth need the connection with other muslims on a daily basis .
On a side note ,who funds the smaller masajids ?

From my experiences of Deobandi and Ash'ari Masajid is that they try their utmost to prevent the efforts of brothers in spreading haqq because of their staunch adherance to their ways. Rather they either allow the ignorance of the tabligh to spread or they do absolutly nothing. And considering that a large percentage of Masajid are sub continental, then this is very worrying.

[salahuddin_ayyubi]

Assalamu alaykum

I heard this is an Ash'ari institute. Would anyone advise studying there? Who are the scholars of Ahl-us Sunnah teaching there. Also, who are the scholars of ahl-us Sunnah living in Cairo?

JazakAllaah Khayr

[AbuMansoor]

Assalamu alaykum

I heard this is an Ash'ari institute. Would anyone advise studying there? Who are the scholars of Ahl-us Sunnah teaching there. Also, who are the scholars of ahl-us Sunnah living in Cairo?

JazakAllaah Khayr

as-Saalamu Alaaykum

There are numbers scholars from Ahl-us Sunnah Who are teaching there,as
I know one of them Shaykh Umar ibn AbdulAziz al Qurayshi who teaches in Kuliyaah ad da3wah.