I am very interested in religious studies. I am 38, married with 3 children. I am a Singaporean and my ambition since I was young was to be a Alim, Hafiz, but due to some reasons I'm an computer executive. Where can I pursue my course? Is there any correspondence courses for Alim, etc. Is it too late for me to fulfill my ambition? Please advise and make Du'a for me. Secondly, the Tabligh Jamaat at my place are always persuading me to join them. Why are they so persistent? I have an old mother to take care. They always say Dunia's problems will never end. I have good intentions to join Tabligh but really no time for it. Is it good to join them?

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. I beseech Allah to make you realize your goal of memorizing the Qur'an and understanding its meaning. There are many Islamic centers that organize courses in Islamic studies as there are universities that offer correspondent courses as well. However, we apologize that we cannot give names and addresses of these centers and universities because we do not know specific names and locations. You can search for these centers on the Internet. It is necessary that you select only those centers and universities that adhere to the way of Ahlu-Sunnah Wal-Jamaah. As regards the Tabligh group, please read the Fatawa:85666 and 84345 for information about it. If your mother needs your company and your care, you will be committing no sins if you do not go out with them. It is authentically reported that "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) asked Othman bin Affan (Radiya Allahu Anhu) not to participate in the Battle of Badr because his wife was sick. He told him: 'You will have the reward of a (fighting) man and his share (of the booty)" [Reported by Imams Al-Bukhari , Ahmad and Al-Tirmizi ]. If a man could be asked not to participate in the Jihaad because of his sick wife who has nobody to take care of her, besides him, he has a great reason to be asked not to go out with the Tableegh group because he is the only person available to take care of his old mother. More so, he can fulfill his obligation of calling to the way of Allah while taking care of his mother without having to go out with the Tableegh. Finally, it is unlawful for members of this group to insist that you go out with them as long as your mother needs you. Allah knows best.