How a student of knowledge reconciles the pursuit of knowledge with examinations, and what intention he should have in these examinations
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The questioner : The questioner says: O esteemed Shaykh, how does a student of knowledge reconcile the pursuit of knowledge with these examinations? And what is the intention he should have in this examination? It has become a problem that many students of knowledge are suffering from.
The Shaykh : Yes, these examinations, as we mentioned at the beginning of the discussion, are a means of verifying the fruit the student has gained in his pursuit. The student can correct his intention even with these examinations. He should intend that he is taking the examination to obtain the rank that he cannot achieve except through these examinations, and he should intend that by obtaining this rank, he will benefit creation. I give you an example: one cannot study at a university, for instance, unless he has a certificate. If he does not have a certificate, even if he is highly knowledgeable, it will not be possible for him to study at the university. So, intend by the certificate to reach a place where you can benefit creation more. This is a sound intention that does not contradict sincerity to Allah, as long as you want to reach a place where you benefit creation, and there is no way to reach this place in the present time, according to the terminology of nations, except through this certificate. If you intend this intention, it is a sound intention, and there is no type of deviation or shirk (associating partners with Allah) or riya' (showing off in worship) in it. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, these examinations, as we mentioned at the beginning of the discussion, are a means of verifying the fruit the student has gained in his pursuit. The student can correct his intention even with these examinations. He should intend that he is taking the examination to obtain the rank that he cannot achieve except through these examinations, and he should intend that by obtaining this rank, he will benefit creation. I give you an example: one cannot study at a university, for instance, unless he has a certificate. If he does not have a certificate, even if he is highly knowledgeable, it will not be possible for him to study at the university. So, intend by the certificate to reach a place where you can benefit creation more. This is a sound intention that does not contradict sincerity to Allah, as long as you want to reach a place where you benefit creation, and there is no way to reach this place in the present time, according to the terminology of nations, except through this certificate. If you intend this intention, it is a sound intention, and there is no type of deviation or shirk (associating partners with Allah) or riya' (showing off in worship) in it. Yes.