Ahmed’s Testimonial

TRANSCRIPT

Assalamu alaykum, 

My name is Ahmed, and I’ve been blessed to study with Shaykh Hamza Karamali for the past two years. Through his teaching I’ve strengthened my understanding of the Islamic sciences and how all the sciences are in fact connected to each other, and together they give us a complete and beautiful understanding of Islam.

Shaykh Hamza's teaching has developed my own skills as a teacher, and has taught me how to transform traditional knowledge into modern day language, and through his teaching I acquired tools that enable me to convey the traditional knowledge much better now, in a way that is understandable to young Muslims in our local community, especially with regard to the challenges young students face in their everyday life.

Before studying with Shaykh Hamza, I had already studied the science of Ilm al Kalam, and studied some of the basic texts alongside the commentaries, but I never really felt that I grasped the idea on how to apply the knowledge from the traditional books on modern objects against the belief in God, until I was blessed with the opportunity to study and take knowledge from Shaykh Hamza. 

Shaykh Hamza taught us how to understand the traditional works of our scholars, and how to transform that knowledge into modern day language and apply our arguments on the objections that are raised against the belief in God, while holding on the scholarly tradition, and how uphold the prophetic way when discussing with others. 

I’ve also understood the importance of science and philosophy, especially science, because most of the objections against the belief in God comes from scientists, and their arguments are often well worded and they’ll use the terminology of physics, but Shaykh Hamza has taught us how to decode their argument. I now feel that I’ve been introduced to how the science of Ilm al Kalam should be studied in our time, while adhering to the tradition of our scholars. 

I’m really impressed with the knowledge and depth of Shaykh Hamza, both within the Islamic sciences and natural sciences, which are important to understand to disprove the claims of the atheists.   

Through my studies with Shaykh Hamza, I now feel that I’m able to teach in a way that is more relevant and beneficial, and I have the tools to answer questions that the students are met by. 

It’s not enough, that you as a teacher, are grounded in the Islamic sciences, you likewise need insight to the non-Islamic thoughts, and the counter-arguments against Islam that are widespread in the society, otherwise it is difficult to give an adequate answer, to those who encounter dubious questions, from their surroundings.

I would encourage everyone to benefit from Shaykh Hamza, not only to take from his vast knowledge, but also his beautiful character, in his teaching sessions there is a sense of equality, even though he is the teacher, it is a very friendly environment, where the student can share their thought, and Shaykh Hamza will not leave a question unanswered. 

I’m thankful that Allah has blessed me with Shaykh Hamza as my teacher.