Is studying for the sake of a degree considered shirk (associating partners with Allah)?
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Question:
Is studying for the purpose of obtaining a degree considered shirk (associating partners with Allah)? And if it is shirk, is it major or minor?
Answer:
It is obligatory for the believer that his study be intended for the sake of understanding the religion, learning, and knowing what Allah has made obligatory and what He has forbidden, so that he may be upon clear knowledge.
As for if one studies for the sake of this world, that is minor shirk (associating partners with Allah). It is necessary for a person that his intention be for the Face of Allah and the Hereafter, and that his ambition be high. The Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) said in the book "Tawhid (The Oneness of Allah)": "A chapter on the shirk of a person desiring the world with his deeds," meaning: minor shirk.
So it is obligatory for the believer that his ambition be high, that he intends by his study the Face of Allah and the Hereafter, not this world and its perishable things. The believer is commanded to be sincere to Allah. Allah the Exalted said: [Surah al-Zumar: 2-3], and He the Exalted said: [Surah al-Bayyinah: 5], and He the Exalted said: [Surah al-Kahf: 110].
So the one who learns, or enjoins good, or forbids evil, for the sake of this world, not for Allah, that is minor shirk, a great calamity. There is no power and no strength except by Allah.
Is studying for the purpose of obtaining a degree considered shirk (associating partners with Allah)? And if it is shirk, is it major or minor?
Answer:
It is obligatory for the believer that his study be intended for the sake of understanding the religion, learning, and knowing what Allah has made obligatory and what He has forbidden, so that he may be upon clear knowledge.
As for if one studies for the sake of this world, that is minor shirk (associating partners with Allah). It is necessary for a person that his intention be for the Face of Allah and the Hereafter, and that his ambition be high. The Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) said in the book "Tawhid (The Oneness of Allah)": "A chapter on the shirk of a person desiring the world with his deeds," meaning: minor shirk.
So it is obligatory for the believer that his ambition be high, that he intends by his study the Face of Allah and the Hereafter, not this world and its perishable things. The believer is commanded to be sincere to Allah. Allah the Exalted said:
So worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion. (3) Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion.
فَاعْبُدِ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَهُ الدِّينَ أَلَا لِلَّهِ الدِّينُ الْخَالِصُAnd they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion
وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَSo whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
فَمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًاSo the one who learns, or enjoins good, or forbids evil, for the sake of this world, not for Allah, that is minor shirk, a great calamity. There is no power and no strength except by Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.