Guidance for the Student of Knowledge and the Most Important Texts

Question:
He says: I hope Your Eminence will give a guiding word to the student of knowledge, and what are the most important texts that must be memorized?

Answer:
We advise everyone to seek knowledge and to understand the religion; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said So we advise everyone to take care in seeking knowledge and understanding the religion. The most important thing is to take care of the Qur'an, to recite it frequently, and to reflect on its meanings. Then comes the Sunnah. Among the best and shortest books is *Hadith 'Umdat al-Hadith* by Shaykh 'Abd al-Ghani, and *Bulugh al-Maram* by Shaykh al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar. These are two good, concise, and beneficial books. In the field of creed, there is *Kitab al-Tawhid* by Shaykh Muhammad, and *Al-'Aqidah al-Wasiyyah* by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn al-Zubayriyyah, *Tala'at al-Asul*, and *Kashf al-Shubuhat*. These are great, important books on creed, and we advise memorizing them. Also, *Al-Arba' al-Nawawiyyah*, Ibn Rajab's *Tammah* in hadith, and *Baqi' al-Kalam* (fifty good hadiths)—we advise memorizing these as well.