Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

42 Questions

Main source of Islamic knowledge is from Quran and Hadeeth and both are in Arabic. If you want to study and understand Islamic sources, you will need to understand Arabic to understand Quran and Hadeeth. You can join Hawza and start studying in English as beginner, then learn Arabic to continue. There are many Hawza classes in English and other languages but only for beginners who will definitely need to learn Arabic to go further in Islamic studies.

'Wassalam.

As mentioned already, al-Islam.org has an extensive library concerning all kinds of topics related to Islamic matters, so browse the library to find answers to your questions.

In particular, I suggest you to check these two sections:

Discover Islam

https://www.al-islam.org/discover/converts-to-islam

Who are Shi'a & Sunni?

https://www.al-islam.org/explore/shia-and-sunni

In these sub-sections you will find plenty of resources specific to what you are looking for.

InshaAllah this helps.

Fi aman Allah

This website (al-islam.org) has an in-depth library, and you can find materials which are both introductory and advanced. So, I recommend starting here!

You could also look online for taught classes, since sometimes it is useful to have a human teacher. 

Beyond that, there is also ample material on YouTube - as a hint, if you want to find a discussion of a subject, search for Muharram majlis followed by your subject, and those are almost guaranteed to be presented by Twelver Shi'a. 

Best wishes!

Dedicating yourself to seeking knowledge requires sacrifice for many years. When others are outside in the park on a sunny day, you have to be indoors writing up a paper. I use the 'delayed gratification' technique with myself, where I tell myself that maybe this summer I will not have time to enjoy, but later on inshaAllah I will see the benefits of the work that I put in.

Many people also get work done by concentrating on about two or three things at once. If you are studying a subject that you have to, but are not deeply interested in, then you can alternate studying it with turning your attention to another book, or another lecture. Even if you are interested in it, you may want to study it alongside something else.

It's important to get up, walk around, get enough exercise. The life of study is not always healthy.

It is very important to have a quiet space to work. You have to be disciplined about not engaging with calls, messages and texts. Set yourself a goal, or a deadline of what you want to achieve when, and sit down to do it. This is a world where people today expect instant responses to their messages, and if you want to get work done, it's just not possible to do that. Over time they will understand that you are working on something.

Try to avoid emotional drama. Being upset or distracted is not good for study. Do not watch anything dramatic late at night. That will upset your sleep for the next day.

Have one or two people that are doing the same as you that you CAN communicate with - your peers. This will encourage you to keep on working.

Reward yourself for engaging in a long period of study. For example, after one month of intensive study, take a break somewhere, or go somewhere to walk. Give yourself breathing space, before making your firm intention to return again to the work.

Praying for your success.