Seminary studies as a medical student

[Shiajuice]

As-salaam alaykum, brothers and sisters. I am a pre-med student in the United States in nearly my last year of undergraduate. I intend to go to medical school and become a surgeon in the US so this will take some time. At the same time, I am deeply interested in pursuing seminary studies in Qom. I am half-Iranian but have a strong knowledge of Islam and the Quran already. Unfortunately, I do not have an Islamic or even Persian name and my Farsi is not strong, though I am typically not confused with other groups outside of the region. Should I and when should I pursue seminary studies considering med school? Are there accelerated programs (this is important)? Since I intend to marry another Shia, how should I consider this with respect to marriage? I have grown up all my life in the US, but I would like to slowly transition living in Iran at least every month out of the year down the line. I would like to be an imam for my family. Please share your knowledge and advice.

[zarya]

On 12/27/2002 at 4:47 AM, Guest Syed Aatif Ali B. said:

As Salaamu 'Alaikum Brothers and Sisters in iman,

 

There are a few links that you might want to begin in your search for knowledge. Here are three hauzas in England that I've heard are reputable.

 

The first is the Imam Hussein (عليه السلام) Institute in London. This school begins a bachelor's with a 2 year theological program in the English language During this time the focus is on developing the students' Arabic ability. After 2 years the school switches entirely to Arabic to teach different religious concepts. There are a number of different subjects taught here including jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, philosophy, science of hadith and narrators, logic, etiquette, history, etc. This Hauza also offers an MA program and PhD.

 

The second is the Islamic College for Advanced Studies (www.islamic-college.ac.uk) which is located just across the street from the above hauza. They also have BA, MA, and PhD programs and are affiliated with several universities. They offer free A-levels I believe. There website has a lot of info and is a good place to start looking. Since it is so new, no-one has had the opportunity to graduate from the BA levels yet, but so far news is that this school gets good results.

 

The third is the Imam Mahdi Institute in Birmingham (http://www.almahdi.i12.com/). I understand this has the best reputation from any hauza in the west and is sometimes called "second Najaf." Look at the web site for some more info...I've heard the most good things about this place. The word is that it has one of the best Islamic libraries in the western world.

 

If you do not have a solid background in Arabic grammar and vocabulary, it is a good idea to establish these before moving on...for those of you who have focused on the study of Arabic for at LEAST a year or two, going straight to the city of Qom, the theological center of Iran, is probally in your favor. Sorry sisters, these schools are for men only as far as I know. Check with any of the above three places for more info on schools in Qom for women. Here are 2 schools in Qom.

 

The first place is the International Center for Islamic Studies (www.qomicis.org) and is now the first place most non-Iranians begin at. I understand that there are over 70 nationalities represented at this school. This school teaches all of the above mentioned fields and also one can study Islamic political theory, gnosis, different Muslim sects & other religions, and tafseer. The school has a special 6 month program which can either be preceded by or followed by a 3 month Persian course. Understanding that it is difficult for people to take off so much time, khums pays for the following amenities. Maybe you'll see why most hauza students refer to ICIS as the Hilton :

 

* free lunch and dinner served everyday except Friday

 

* free room and board

 

* free tuition and books

 

* $60 dollars = 500,000 rial for personal spending. A flight

to Mashad from Tehran will run you about $40 dollars so that

covers at least 1 ziyarat trip.

 

* meetings with numerous scholars and dignitaries

 

* free health insurance and access to a very nice gymnasium with

weights, mirrors, and other equipment.

 

* 2 way ticket to and from Iran

 

* Visa procedures

 

There is also the Imam Ali (عليه السلام) institute in Qom. I have far less knowledge on this school but I understand that people come from all over the world to study here. The Imam Ali (عليه السلام) Institute is also affiliated with ICIS which I mentioned just above. ICIS might have more info, or check with the three schools in England for application materials.

 

It is very possible for anyone to study in Hauza who wants to go...but invariably it is not the amenities or the degrees which one is confered that are important.

 

The point of hauza is to produce strong Muslims who can stand for Islam. Many people don't understand this. The latest batch of students, composed of 60 individuals, went to the city. Of these, 40 came back after 1 year. Qom gives up it's knowledge for a price...although every convenience, especially in these days, is being taken care of, Qom is not something that is for everyone. many people realize this after they get to the city. They do not do enough preparation and have goals that are not those which are consistent of a true talib, but this is a different story all together.

 

Insha-Allah, all the students who go to Qum and the other religious centers gain knowledge and purify themselves.

 

Wa Salaam,

Syed Aatif

QUOTE FROM THIS POST 

 

On 8/9/2016 at 6:56 AM, Haimi said:

A peraon whos study in hawzah called: Talaba, الطلبه

Trust me, Talaba are famous to be clean, most of them, maybe the new ones aren't bcz they are newbie, but well they has a moderator above them!

You can bring your laptop, some hawzah has their own policy so ask before joining them.

I prefer farsi, since you're gonna live in iran for years, also the books are arabic in persian hawzah, means you still have to learn arabic and hey! Exams are arabic :p(alhamdullah my exams resault were 20/20 except one exam that was 16/20)

Youre far away from an advance hawzah, for example it took 10 years for me.(yes an unlimited time required for advanced scholar)

The rexommended age is starting from 14-15 to 25-30, depends on your situation, also depends on your choice if you want tocstay more and the hawzah policy

There are 2 different option for scholars:

Short time education(takes 5years or less)

Long time(takes between 3-10years and you still have an option to continue)

Long terms has 10 level of learning with different books to read.(knew someone who finished it in less tha three years, how smart and serious was he, he was hunger!)

I pref you get your diploma at least ( or any certification before your college ) before joining a hawzah.

Remember! Maybe the rooms aren't like texas hotel's room that 5 stars, but trust me, people in iy are so social, educated and momeen. You gonna love it when you gonna make dua and pray with them before Fajr pray time, the time when you all together visiting a shrine, master scholar or imam khamenei.

They are must respected people in the country.

The time when you have a massive big library to study, with books that some of them are for 1000-2000 years ago aboueverything, whej you have Maraje'e official office nearby to ask and many benefits.

YOU'RE NOT ALONE THERE ANYMORE.

Wassalam.

QUOTE FROM THIS POST 

 

Alaykum Salaam,

I am not knowledgeable within this area however in this old post, brother Syed Aatif Ali B, gave alot of insight in Hawza life and study. If you go to the thread and through the posts he details a lot more in regards to life with Qom etc. Also alternatives to Qom as well as when it is best to pursue Hawza study.  I hope this can enlighten your direction a little bit. Forgive me for my ignorance. Insha-Allah you find what you are looking for. 

Here is a website of English speaking Islamic Seminary students in the Holy City of Qom. Here you can converse with existing Qom hawza students. This may be useful in asking them your worries and queries. https://studentsofqom.org/

I think both these I have quoted have answers relevant to each part of the question you have asked.

Insha-Allah you will be a light to establish spreading the knowledge of Allah(سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى), the Quran, Our Prophet Muhammad(sawa)and the Ahlulbayt(عليه السلام) and furthermore be a help in laying the ground for Imam Al-Mahdi(ajfj).