Useful Steps for the Student of Knowledge
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Your Eminence! Regarding the student of knowledge, what are the steps that are obligatory for the student of knowledge so that he becomes a scholar who is grounded in the principles of jurisprudence, established upon the Book and the Sunnah, and the methodology of the righteous Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them)?
The first rank is: Memorizing the Book of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, the Noble Qur'an; he memorizes it by recitation, reflects on its meaning, and acts upon its rulings. This is the first thing. Then, after that, what is authentic from the Prophetic Sunnah, such as the concise books: like *Umdat al-Ahkam* and *Bulugh al-Maram*. Then, what the scholars have written regarding creed and the oneness of Allah; he starts with the concise books first. Then, what the scholars have written regarding Islamic jurisprudence, and he also starts with the concise books.In addition to the instrumental sciences, which are: The Arabic sciences, including grammar, morphology, and rhetoric, to the extent possible. However, the thing I advise the student of knowledge to do is not to burden himself with what he cannot bear, such that he reads several books in one day; because this causes him to forget some of it due to the other. And he should not carry of knowledge except small fragments, like the common person.
And the most important thing in seeking knowledge is that a person should pay attention to the principles and rules; because the principles and rules are guidelines, or rules that gather many issues. And a person refers every issue that comes to him to this rule or guideline, and he benefits greatly.
And in any case, it is necessary for the student to seek knowledge under the hand of a scholar, and the scholar guides him with what he sees as suitable for his condition.
The first rank is: Memorizing the Book of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, the Noble Qur'an; he memorizes it by recitation, reflects on its meaning, and acts upon its rulings. This is the first thing. Then, after that, what is authentic from the Prophetic Sunnah, such as the concise books: like *Umdat al-Ahkam* and *Bulugh al-Maram*. Then, what the scholars have written regarding creed and the oneness of Allah; he starts with the concise books first. Then, what the scholars have written regarding Islamic jurisprudence, and he also starts with the concise books.In addition to the instrumental sciences, which are: The Arabic sciences, including grammar, morphology, and rhetoric, to the extent possible. However, the thing I advise the student of knowledge to do is not to burden himself with what he cannot bear, such that he reads several books in one day; because this causes him to forget some of it due to the other. And he should not carry of knowledge except small fragments, like the common person.
And the most important thing in seeking knowledge is that a person should pay attention to the principles and rules; because the principles and rules are guidelines, or rules that gather many issues. And a person refers every issue that comes to him to this rule or guideline, and he benefits greatly.
And in any case, it is necessary for the student to seek knowledge under the hand of a scholar, and the scholar guides him with what he sees as suitable for his condition.