The Importance of Memorizing Texts and the Most Important Ones for a Student of Knowledge

Question:
Your Eminence, the Shaykh, what is your opinion on memorizing texts, and which are the most important? Is failing to memorize texts considered a deficiency in a student of knowledge?

Answer:
Memorizing texts is the foundation of knowledge, and the most important and greatest of these is caring for the Qur'an, memorizing the Qur'an or whatever is easy for one to memorize. If memorization is not easy, then increasing recitation, reflection, and understanding is the greatest thing. It is the greatest book, the foundation of knowledge, and the foundation of all good. So caring for the Qur'an is the first thing, whether young or old, and in all circumstances. Caring for the Qur'an and increasing its recitation with reflection and understanding, and reading what is difficult in the books of tafsir (exegesis). This Qur'an is the foundation of all knowledge and the foundation of all good. Then the Sunnah, the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). *'Umdat al-Hadith* by Shaykh 'Abd al-Ghani, *Bulugh al-Maram* by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar. These are two great and very beneficial books. If he has a high aptitude and cares for *al-Muntaqa* by 'Abd al-Salam ibn Taymiyyah, that is good, but his care for *'Umdat al-Hadith* or *Bulugh al-Maram* is easier for him and closer to success, especially *Bulugh al-Maram*, for it is a well-organized and beneficial book. So I advise you to memorize it and care for it.
And likewise the books of 'aqidah (creed), such as the Book of Tawhid, the Book of Shubuh (Doubts), *al-'Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah* by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, *Luma' al-'Aqidah*, *al-Tahawiyyah*, and Ibn Abi al-'Izz's commentary on *al-Tahawiyyah*. These are great and beneficial books. *al-Hamawiyyah* by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, *al-Tadaburiyyah* by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah. These are great and beneficial books in 'aqidah. *Fath al-Majid* is a commentary on the Book of Tawhid, *Siyad al-'Aziz al-Hamid* is a commentary on the Book of Tawhid as well. I read *'Uyun al-Muwahhidin* by Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman, which is also a commentary on the Book of Tawhid.
And what is similar to that. Ibn Kathir's (may Allah have mercy on him) Book of Tafsir is a great book, and the tafsir of Ibn Jarir and al-Baghawi. The tafsir of al-Shanqiti is also important and beneficial. I mean, the student of knowledge should care for these, but the most important thing is to care for the Qur'an. The most important thing is the Qur'an, and caring for the Qur'an, and focusing more on its recitation, reflecting on its meanings, which is the action. Then the Sunnah, such as *'Umdat al-Hadith* and *Bulugh al-Maram*. And if it is easy for him to review the two Sahihs (authentic collections) and listen to them from the shaykhs, and attend the lessons on the two Sahihs, then the two Sahihs are the greatest books, and the most authentic books after the Qur'an: al-Bukhari and Muslim. Then the four Sunan, then Ahmad's Musnad, Malik's Mawatta, and al-Darimi's Sunan. They are all great books, but the greatest of them after the Qur'an are the books of 'aqidah and the authentic collections. Yes.