Books Recommended for the Student of Knowledge to Read During the Break

Question:
The questioner says: What do you advise, Honorable Shaykh, that the student of knowledge should read during this break?

Answer:
I advise him first to turn to the Book of Allah, choosing to read it for memorization and review. He should strive to read the Book of Allah with reflection and understanding. If he can find a companion to help him memorize the Book of Allah and study it with him, that is good. Then, he should strive with good companions in the books of creed (aqidah) so that his knowledge of creed is complete. The Qur'an is the foundation of the ancient knowledge of creed; the Noble Qur'an is the foundation of everything. However, he should also make use of the books written on this subject, such as the books of the people of the Sunnah: *Kitab al-Tawhid* by Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, *al-Tanahil* by his grandson Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman, *al-'Aqidah al-Wustha* by the Shaykh of Islam, *Qa'idat al-'Aqidah* by al-Tahrawi with its commentary by al-Tahrawi and Ibn Abi al-'Ilm, *al-Itqan* by al-Muwaqqif ibn Qudamah, and *al-Tanuriyyah* and *al-Hamawiyyah* by the Shaykh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah. These are the well-known books of the people of the Sunnah on creed, so that his knowledge increases and his insight grows.
Along with that, he should also focus on completing the noble hadith, such as *Bulugh al-Maram*. He should memorize it, review it, and write *'Umdat al-Hadith*. He should memorize whatever of it is easy for him. Then, he should memorize *al-Rab' al-Nawaya* to complete the work of Ibn Rajab; he should memorize it. These are important hadiths, five important ones from the concise words of the Prophet. If he memorizes, for example, in jurisprudence, he should make use of it, such as *al-Zad* or *al-Talib*, another small book. He should use it to know the issues, so that he can establish them with evidence.