Letter on Life and Studying in Mauritania

Bismillah arRahman arRaheem

This is a comment posted on The FIKS website by Iesa Keith Washington in response to Abu Taubah’s talk on Studying in Mauritania. I thought it was an informative post, specially those wishing to go study in Mauritania, alHamdulillah, so decided to post it here.

Abu Taubah:

As-Salaamu alaykum,

This is a comment from Iesa Keith Washington, (presently in Mauritania). Edited by abu taubah

Iesa Keith Washington:

“There are a lot Salafi brothers studying things other than Aqeedah among the sufis in villages such as Nabbaaghiyyah.

Umm Al-Qurrah is a ghost town, and has been declining since last year when the shiekh returned from abroad and was ill. (Umm al Qurraa has always been a ghost town. it has never been of benefit for anyone who could not sit for a long time. My brother dawoud, who lives in Umm al Qurraa, was studying in Ummul Qurraa up until last month. Not everyday with the shaykh, but the resident knows how to get in doors that are otherwise closed to the visitor.)

Muhammad Hassan (the shaykh’s nephew “dadew”) has a masjid called “Usama” and a school in Arafaat, and a few new schools have opened issuing college degrees for islamic studies and the baadia (open desert) has dried up with many of the students trying to get govt. scholarships so as to leave the country and make money abroad.

This was probably in part to students from abroad issuing online info. about Mauritania, which I think has allowed it’s enemies to study how to shift the influence that studying in the baadia has on the populace, as well as weaken the influence of Mauritania’s Senior Scholars.

There are so many scholars in this country, truly you don’t need a name – you just need to come and find your own place. It’s safe so you don’t need someone to hold your hand, and all the western conviences are now available, you can buy almost everything here in the grocery stores just like in the States. Lobster here is cheap, so eat up if you like seafood. (umm taubah’s sister, Umm TalHah has a store in the city selling american products and can get you just about anything. mention my name and pay double.)

I just assited in a couple of childbirths and the process was clear, easy and professional. You can choose a local clinic, or pay for the frills. The Local Clinic is good enough and Hospitals are now adequate and growing by the day.

I had begun a file explaining the approximate expenses necessary for building your own tent in the baadia, to constructing a high-rise apt. A Virus, which is one of the biggest problems out here, ate it. Inshaa Allaah I will rewrite it and present it shortly.

Also this country is francophone (meaning, if it is not in Arabic it is in French) so bring your own books if you want to read English, also Spanish is popular here as The Western Sahaara, the country bordering Mauritania to the north, is an Arab-Spanish speaking country.

We have longtime students, students who come and go, and Muhajarin families living here now, so it’s all good in the hood. ( You will not be alone)

There has begun a culture of begging from amongst the western foreign students (the Americans, French etc…) this didn’t exist before. It’s okay to give, ask for, and take assistance, but some brothers are taking it too far.

They are harming us all by their actions. And people are tired of them. Be careful about giving handouts! When you hear a story that touches your heart be careful about offering assistance. Some people know you have saved up your money and have come a long way, and they want to take advantage of your soft heart and desire to get closer to Allaah. They are trying to decieve you. Remember the sunnah of begging. A person should come with two notable witnesses from his people to bear witness as to the veracity of his situation. And as a travellor you should be wise and make duaa for the person and at the most, pay them for whatever services they render for you.

Things have changed, but it’s still good. Alhamdulillah, now you have more options between the City and the Baadia, but nothing compares to the Baadia. Among the changes are more cars; and cellphones are everywhere. The internet is even available now in the baadia with a wireless hook-up.”

Abu Taubah:

I have butchered this comment tremendously to suit the objectives of this website. And with Allaah alone is perfection and success. I thank Iesa for his update and ask Allaah to reward me and him with good in this world and more on the last day. Anyone who reads this and benefits, dont forget to make duaa for me, the fiks family and Iesa.
This walHamdulillaah,
abu taubah

May Allah aid those pursuing the sacred knowledge of this deen.