At Cambridge Muslim College, we are often reminded that the pursuit of sacred knowledge is as much about the heart as it is about the mind.
We recently had the honour of hosting Shaykh Amjad Tarsin for an intimate gathering, where he shared a profound perspective on the transformative power of mercy (rahma) in education and spiritual care.
Reflecting on his years of study in Tarim, Yemen, Shaykh Amjad noted that while the academic rigour was nurturing and nourishing, it was the genuine human connection with his teachers that left the most lasting impact. He shared how his teachers were extremely gracious and patient, even when he approached them with questions that felt out of place.
For those of us in the CMC community, this serves as a reminder that the goal of education is not simply getting through a book or completing a curriculum. True mentorship requires a deep connection and a sense of rooting for the students’ success. Prophetic guidance is defined by being magnanimous and merciful, qualities that are essential when dealing with students navigating a secular world.
Drawing from his experience as a university chaplain – including working as the first ever full-time chaplain at the University of Toronto – Shaykh Amjad discussed the huge gap many feel when translating traditional knowledge into a modern Western way of life. He proposed that the most effective da’wah methodology is one that seeks to understand people at a personal level, at an emotional level, before even engaging with them at a religious level. He illustrated this through a famous hadith of a young man who asked the Prophet ﷺ for permission to commit a major sin; rather than reacting with judgment, the Prophet ﷺ engaged in a beautiful conversation, helping the young man find clarity through compassion.
As we navigate a secular world that often places intense pressure to succeed on young people, the default response of a believer should always be mercy. Shaykh Amjad challenged us to move beyond seeing our role as merely providing religious rulings and instead to recognise the humanity of the person. By looking at the world with an Eye of Mercy, we are encouraged to see the divine potential within every person, recognising that Allah can bring anyone near at any moment. We are called to emulate the Prophet ﷺ, whose heart was vast and encompassed all of creation, ensuring that our spread of peace begins at the level of the heart before the tongue.
We pray that we can all internalise these lessons, becoming reflections of beauty and sources of healing for those around us.