Alim Course

Recommended Part Time Alim Course

Posted on April 21, 2010 with No Comments

You’ve seen from my previous posts the importance of ‘Talabul Ilm’ with the aid of an alim course.

The time has now come to reveal my no.1 choice for the institution with whom you should undertake the course.

This post is about my recommendation but the site for the recommended darul uloom is here. The name of this darul uloom is ‘Siraj ul Uloom’. It is based in Leyton, North East London. This darul uloom is also known as ‘Lantern of Knowledge’.

First of all, I should point out that this darul uloom operates its alim course on a part time basis. Part time in this case, means, daily attendance but only between the hours of 5 to 8 in the evenings. This will last for a period of 6 years.

This institution caters for all those that cannot attend full time boarding darul ulooms such as those in Bury, Dewsbury and Kent.

So if you work during the daytime or have a family to support, undertaking a part time alim course at this institution is the perfect solution to change the direction of your deen (for the better) without upsetting the established parts of your life (kids and commitments).

My second reason for recommending this darul uloom is its tenacity for upholding and adhering to the recommended ways of teaching throughout the generations. Students sit around benches in front of the teacher. Manners and respect are upheld.

The classes are generally taught in Urdu. If you think learning in English is a good idea, think again – even if you don’t know Urdu to begin with.
With Urdu, you will learn the same way the big ulama of the past have learned and have passed on.

Furthermore, you can get a much better understanding of the arabic language when translated into urdu as compared with direct translation into english. You just can’t express some arabic terms in english as you can with urdu.

Even if you don’t know urdu at this stage, you don’t need to worry. That will be taught to you (along with arabic) and you will also pick it up along the way during your first 2 years. Even students who didn’t know a word of urdu before starting, were eventually translating arabic into urdu like a pro.

Having said that, this darul uloom does translate lessons and books into english for the first year to help new students become accustomed to urdu. With this help, you have no excuse.

So even if there is a darul uloom who is offering to teach an alim course directly into english and at the same time, you don’t know urdu at all, I would still suggest that you undertake an alim course that translates into urdu first.

This darul uloom follows a syllabus known as the ‘nizami syllabus’. It is the same syllabus that has been taught throughout the major darul ulooms across the world for a very very long time.

My third reason for recommending Siraj ul Uloom is: The Great Environment.

When you undertake an alim class, you absolutely must have an environment which is conducive not only for learning, but also for spiritual enlightenment and upliftment.

This darul uloom has great learned teachers who really help the students in all aspects of deen. The relationship between student and teacher is brought closer due to the environment which helps in learning and necessary advice.

Click Here to visit the Jamia Siraj ul Uloom site

When conducting periodic activities, all students join in and form a great environment of brotherhood and harmony. It really is a great place in multiple ways. The atmosphere is generally quite relaxed but everyone knows their limits and what is required of them. Discipline is always maintained.

Classes are generally small and so learning and listening has its benefits.

The kitabs/subject matter studied are the same as those studied at the major full time darul ulooms. Within the first year, students are able to read arabic books such as Qasas un Nabiyyeen as if they’ve been reading arabic for a while beforehand.

I am a student in my second year (at the time of this writing) and I find it a great place to learn and advance my deen while at the same time, working during the day.

I don’t think 6 years of evening class is too long a commitment when you understand the benefits.

If you want to know more about the benefits of becoming a student of Ilm, go to the Jamia Siraj ul Uloom site (link below) and sign up for the newsletter. It has some great ahaadeeth and information on the benefits of Ilm. Some of the hadith will astound you!

If you live in or around London, I would highly recommend that you contact the darul uloom and get an application form from now. New year classes start after Ramadhan. So if you do intend to start, get in early and avoid procrastination, because that’s exactly what shaytaan wants you to do. Eventually, procrastination leads to ‘mind changes’ and not doing anything at all.

Mention my name and I may give you a sweet if you start in arbi awwal!

Here is the Recommended Jamia Siraj ul Uloom Website

Below you will find some other student opinions and reviews.

Hope this helps,

Amin