Should I Avoid Pursuing Islamic Studies While Paying My Parents Mortgage?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

If a person indulges in major sin, should he avoid to pursue Islamic studies?

My parent have a lot of debts on mortgage and I am hoping to get a job and help them. But I would have to pay interest which is a sin. I would love to study Islam and become a scholar too but I fear that I will become a much greater hypocrite.

Answer: Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah,

1. It is not sinful to help your parents financially. Rather, this would be a tremendous act of kindness and generosity towards them. And you aren’t responsible for the debts incurred, even if interest bearing.

2. Study Islam for Allah. Study so that you can practice it in your life and become a beloved, grateful servant. And do the best you can in the situation in which Allah has placed you. Fears of becoming a hypocrite are simply the devil’s way of ensuring you learn nothing about your religion.

Please also see: Knowledge: What, How and Why We Study and: On Sincerity and Avoiding Excessiveness – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.