Traditional Madaris or Islamic Universities?

Question: 

Asalam Alaikum Wa rahmatullah Wabarakatu Hope you are well Sheikh,
I am a 16 year old student living in Pakistan currently finishing my O levels (10 grade), my family is sound financially and I am 100% fixated on becoming a Scholer of Islam (Alim).
My question is, what is the most efficient, traditional and exemplary method to become an alim, I have a few options which are
1. Traditional “Madarsah” or Darul uloom in Pakistan or any other country (Darul uloom Karachi, Jamia-Tur-Rasheed, Darul uloom deoband, Darul uloom Zakariya/Innamiyah South Africa ect ect)

2. Islamic “University” mostly in the gulf (Medina University, Umm Ul Qura University, Al-Ashari University Egypt, Qatar University ect ect)
Please tell me which of these will be best or of there are other institutes that you would recommend. JazakAllahu khair

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-Salāmu ʿAlaykum Wa-Raḥmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh

This journey of seeking knowledge that you are about to embark on originates with none other than our beloved Prophet ﷺ, who came as a teacher. He transmitted this ʿilm to the Ṣaḥābah, who in turn passed it on to the Tābiʿīn. Each generation has continued this transmission of knowledge, and this legacy lives on to this day. While the institutions may have changed over time, the essence of the knowledge has remained the same. It is admirable to see your desire to become an ʿālim, as the reward for treading this path is immense and immeasurable.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الجَنَّةِ.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.” (Timidhi 2646)[i]

Madrasah (pl. madāris ), also known as Dār al-ʿUlūm, generally follow the Dars-e-Nizāmī curriculum. This curriculum is comprehensive in the Islamic sciences and has a rich historical background on how it was developed.[ii]  It provides in-depth study of classical Islamic texts, including Arabic grammar, jurisprudence (fiqh), tafsīr (exegesis), and ḥadīth. As a result, students gain a deep understanding of the foundational sources of Islamic knowledge.

The six major books of aḥadīth are taught in the final year, during which students may be granted an unbroken chain (sanad) of transmission that links back to the Prophet ﷺ. This is a unique feature that traditional madāris offer.[iii]

In addition to academic subjects, madāris often emphasize spiritual development, encouraging a closer relationship with Allah and practice (ʿamal). Spiritual growth is considered essential to developing not only knowledge, but also piety and moral character. It is common for madāris to include daily sessions of dhikr and Qur’an recitation (tilāwah) as part of the routine.

Students also benefit from close, personalized guidance from experienced teachers and spiritual mentors. These mentors support their academic journey and assist in their spiritual development, ensuring that growth occurs both intellectually and spiritually.

A study of 120 students (60 from madāris and 60 from general secular institutions) was conducted to compare how different educational systems influence students’ personal values. Madrasah students scored higher in religious, economic, social, and marginally in aesthetic values, while general students scored higher in theoretical and political values. This indicates that environment plays a vital role in shaping one’s spiritual and social values.[iv]

As for Islamic universities, they vary differently from one another, and it is difficult to comment on them as they may have different purpose or understanding on how Islamic sciences should be thought. It is essential to understand that a person’s thinking and mindset is shaped by the environment in which they study. For this reason, one should carefully choose an institution where the teachings of the Qurʾan and Sunnah are upheld and followed as shown to us by reliable Allah fearing ʿUlamāʾ.

We highly encourage students to study dīn through traditional methods, as this approach is holistic and nurturing both academic and spiritual growth. As the famous Tābiʿī, Muḥammad Ibn Sīrīn رحمه الله (d. 110 AH) beautifully said:

قال محمد بن سيرين رحمه الله: «‌إن ‌هذا ‌العلم ‌دين فانظروا عمن تأخذون دينكم.»

“Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so be cautious of whom you take your religion from.”[v]

Finally, perform istikhārah and engage in abundant duʿās, as this is a crucial decision in your academic and spiritual journey. May Allah make it easy for you to choose a beneficial path in seeking knowledge and grant you success in becoming among the righteous scholars (ʿUlamāʾ al-Rabbāniyyīn). Āmīn.

And Allah Taʿāla Knows Best.

Rukunuddin Bin Jahangir

Student  –Darul Iftaa

Milwaukee, WI, USA

Checked and Approved by

Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai