All Praise be to Allah Alone. May peace be upon His Servants whom He has chosen!
I recommend sons of the students of the Islamic university to observe Taqwa (fearing Allah as He should be feared) in all cases, adhere to seeking knowledge, study well your curricula, listen attentively to your professors, and ask about anything that confuses you in the class in a proper manner.
Among the most important means of acquiring knowledge is to adjust the intention, save time, and put the acquired knowledge into practice. It is reported in some Athaar (narrations from the Companions or followers): "Whoever acts upon what they know, Allah will grant them the knowledge of what they do not know." The evidence of this is mentioned in Allah's Book (Glorified be He): While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance and bestows on them their piety. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And Allâh increases in guidance those who walk aright. One of the most important means is to abide by Taqwa and beware of sins. Allah (Glorified be He) says: And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.
The way out of ignorance is one of the most important outlets and knowledge is one of the best means of sustenance resulting from Taqwa. Allah (Exalted be He) says: O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allâh, He will grant you Furqân [(a criterion to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. a way for you to get out from every difficulty)] However, the best of that which was said regarding the interpretation of the word "Furqan" is that it occurs to the servant by virtue of the light of knowledge with which one can discriminate between truth and falsehood.
Whereas the effect of committing sins on being deprived of useful knowledge is known by texts and reality according to what Allah (Glorified be He) says: And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. (See the Qur'ân Verse 35:45). There is no doubt that the deprivation of useful knowledge is one of the greatest adversities, for it is mentioned in the Prophet's (peace be upon him) Hadith:
A person becomes deprived of sustenance by dint of the sin they commit. Once AlShafi`y sat in front of Malik (may Allah be merciful with both of them) and the latter said to the former: "I see that Allah has conferred some of His light upon you so do not turn it off by committing sins," or as he (may Allah be merciful to him) said.
AlShafi`y had also said (may Allah be merciful to him): I complained to Waki` about my bad memorization So he advised me to abandon sins He said: "You should know that knowledge is light and Allah's Light can not be granted to a disobedient
I ask Allah to grant you success to acquire useful knowledge, observe righteous deeds and benefit people from you, for He is the Best One to be asked for help.
Assalamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
Deputy President of the Islamic University, `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah Ibn Baz