The Difference Between a Disciple and a Student

Question

Question: What is the difference between a disciple and a student? Does a student fall under the category of a disciple?

Answer

A student is customarily one who learns knowledge from a teacher. A disciple, however, is one who repents at the hand of a spiritual guide, pledges to avoid sins, promises to act upon the commands of the Lord, and reforms his own ego (nafs) following the path shown to him by the guide. Not every student is a disciple; in some people both qualities are combined.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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