Should I Transfer to an Ashari University to Escape Fitnah at My Current University?

Question: Asalamualykum Wa rahmatulahi Wa baraqatuhu Shykh. May Allah bless you and your family. I am a foreign sister student studying currently in a muslim country. I finished my first year in an university in a city that is majority non-muslim. My universitiy has a strong international presense and muslims are actually a minority here. Therefore, there is a lot of fitnah in university. Recently, someone suggested i apply to the islamic university in a nearby city and transfer there, and Alhamdullilah I applied and have been accepted. However, the university is upon Asharism (with a mix of suifism) and they have bi'dah involved. But, there are some shykhs who are upon the Sunnah and teach lessons there on daily basis and they hold a lot of lectures. And, despite the bidah, I would be able to hear the Adhan (as there is a huge mosque attached to the university)

Summary:

If you must choose between the two universities, and the Islamic university has fewer temptations, more opportunities for good, and enables you to better preserve your religion, hear the adhan, and attend the lessons of Ahl al-Sunnah, while remaining cautious of innovations and refraining from taking your aqidah from those who promote them, then transferring there is, Allah willing, the more beneficial option. However, you must be careful not to be influenced by Ashari theology, Sufism, or innovations. Your Islamic studies should be taken from scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah who are known for adhering to the Quran, the Sunnah, and the understanding of the righteous predecessors.

Answer:

The basic principle is that a Muslim is commanded to preserve his religion and distance himself from the causes of temptation and deviation. Allah, the Exalted, says:

From the Qur'an:

(Surah Al-Tahrim, 66:6)
"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:148)
"So compete with one another in good deeds."
(Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:2)
"And cooperate in righteousness and piety."

From the Sunnah:

It is authentically reported in Sunan Abi DawudFrom Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"A person follows the religion of his close friend, so let each of you look to whom he befriends."
It is also reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih MuslimFrom Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever Allah intends good for, He grants him understanding of the religion."

If the first university is predominantly attended by non-Muslims, contains many temptations, and provides a weak Islamic environment, while the other university has a mosque, the adhan is called, Islamic lessons are held, and some of its Shaykhs are known to be upon the Sunnah, then these are significant Islamic advantages. At the same time, a Muslim must never take matters of aqidah lightly, for innovations are a serious danger, and the Salaf warned against them in the strongest terms.

From the Salaf:

Abdullah bin Mas'ud رضي الله عنه said:
"Follow and do not innovate, for you have been sufficed."
Sufyan al-Thawri رحمه الله said:
"Innovation is more beloved to Iblis than sin, because one repents from sin, whereas innovation is not repented from."
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله said:
"The foundations of the Sunnah with us are holding fast to what the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ were upon."

Therefore, your approach should be clear: -Do not attend the lessons of the people of innovation in matters of aqidah and methodology. -Do not study their books for the purpose of learning from them except when there is a genuine need and you possess sufficient knowledge to distinguish truth from falsehood. -Remain with the scholars who are known for adhering to the Sunnah. -Be diligent in attending their lessons and benefiting from them. -Beware of Sufism based upon innovations and of theological reinterpretations that contradict the creed of the Salaf regarding Allah's Names and Attributes. Not everyone who ascribes himself to Islam is reliable in matters of belief. For this reason, the Salaf advised adhering to Ahl al-Sunnah and avoiding the people of desires. Nevertheless, the presence of some innovations in a place does not necessarily require abandoning it altogether if the greater overall benefit lies in remaining there and the Muslim is able to avoid falsehood, especially when no place completely free of such errors can be found. The Shariah came to achieve and perfect benefits while minimizing harms according to one's ability. Conclusion: If the Islamic university is better for your religion than the first university, has fewer temptations, contains a mosque where you can hear the adhan, and has scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah from whom you can benefit, then transferring there is closer to what is correct, while remaining vigilant against Ashari theology, innovated Sufism, and all other innovations, and without taking your aqidah or methodology from those who promote them. Make your primary concern remaining with Ahl al-Sunnah. Strive to learn the correct aqidah from its authentic sources, and increase in supplication that Allah keeps you firm upon the truth. Sound aqidah is the greatest possession a Muslim has, and whoever preserves his religion has attained the good of this world and the Hereafter.

And Allah knows best.

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