The Method of Seeking Knowledge and Its Beginning
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Your Eminence, regarding knowledge and the method of seeking it, does it begin, for example, with the science of tafsir, or the science of 'aqidah, or the science of tawhid, or the other sciences?
There is no doubt that the noblest speech is the speech of Allah, and the most deserving of care is the speech of Allah, and the most beneficial is the speech of Allah.And for this reason we say: Begin with tafsir before anything else, but this does not mean that you should not read other things; rather, focus first on the science of tafsir. You know, and our brothers present here and others also know, that the Qur'an contains everything: it contains 'aqidah, it contains fiqh, it contains morals, and it contains everything. [Al-Nahl: 89] So you must engage with tafsir and strive to do so as much as you are able.
And the method for that is: You should first think about the meaning of the verse yourself before consulting the books. Once you have settled on something, then refer to the books. This is to train yourself to understand the meanings of the Book of Allah on your own. Moreover, Allah may open up for a person meanings that he does not find in the books of tafsir, especially if he has grown up in knowledge and reached a level in it; he may be granted access to the treasures of this Noble Qur'an that he did not find elsewhere.
And I give you an example with the tafsir of Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him): he sometimes derives from the noble verses meanings that you will not find in any previous tafsir.
Then, after that, you take what is authentic from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in hadith regarding tawhid, morals, and deeds.
So, the first thing a person does is memorize the Book of Allah by heart, then he begins with its tafsir, then he memorizes what is easy of the Sunnah, such as 'Umdat al-Ahkam or Bulugh al-Maram, or something similar, and then he studies the books that the scholars wrote on the Islamic Shari'ah.
The questioner: But what are the methods for consolidating knowledge, O Shaykh?The Shaykh: There are many methods for consolidating knowledge, among which is review. A person reviews, and for this reason the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Review the Qur'an, for by Him in whose hand is my soul, it is more likely to slip away than a camel from its tether." Review means repetition, whether you repeat the wording or repeat the meaning, by having discussions and debates with your brothers.
And secondly: Acting upon the knowledge. For acting upon the knowledge consolidates it and increases it. Allah the Exalted said: [Muhammad: 17] .
Third: Calling to Allah the Exalted with the knowledge you have acquired, for this also consolidates the knowledge and increases it.
The important thing is that there are many methods, among which are these three that I mentioned.
The questioner: But what are the best books of tafsir?The Shaykh: In any case, books of tafsir exist, but the best for a beginner is the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, or the tafsir of al-Baghawi, or the tafsir of Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di.
There is no doubt that the noblest speech is the speech of Allah, and the most deserving of care is the speech of Allah, and the most beneficial is the speech of Allah.And for this reason we say: Begin with tafsir before anything else, but this does not mean that you should not read other things; rather, focus first on the science of tafsir. You know, and our brothers present here and others also know, that the Qur'an contains everything: it contains 'aqidah, it contains fiqh, it contains morals, and it contains everything.
And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَاناً لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدىً وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَAnd the method for that is: You should first think about the meaning of the verse yourself before consulting the books. Once you have settled on something, then refer to the books. This is to train yourself to understand the meanings of the Book of Allah on your own. Moreover, Allah may open up for a person meanings that he does not find in the books of tafsir, especially if he has grown up in knowledge and reached a level in it; he may be granted access to the treasures of this Noble Qur'an that he did not find elsewhere.
And I give you an example with the tafsir of Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him): he sometimes derives from the noble verses meanings that you will not find in any previous tafsir.
Then, after that, you take what is authentic from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in hadith regarding tawhid, morals, and deeds.
So, the first thing a person does is memorize the Book of Allah by heart, then he begins with its tafsir, then he memorizes what is easy of the Sunnah, such as 'Umdat al-Ahkam or Bulugh al-Maram, or something similar, and then he studies the books that the scholars wrote on the Islamic Shari'ah.
The questioner: But what are the methods for consolidating knowledge, O Shaykh?The Shaykh: There are many methods for consolidating knowledge, among which is review. A person reviews, and for this reason the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Review the Qur'an, for by Him in whose hand is my soul, it is more likely to slip away than a camel from its tether." Review means repetition, whether you repeat the wording or repeat the meaning, by having discussions and debates with your brothers.
And secondly: Acting upon the knowledge. For acting upon the knowledge consolidates it and increases it. Allah the Exalted said:
And those who are guided - He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness.
وَالَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدىً وَآتَاهُمْ تَقْوَاهُمْThird: Calling to Allah the Exalted with the knowledge you have acquired, for this also consolidates the knowledge and increases it.
The important thing is that there are many methods, among which are these three that I mentioned.
The questioner: But what are the best books of tafsir?The Shaykh: In any case, books of tafsir exist, but the best for a beginner is the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, or the tafsir of al-Baghawi, or the tafsir of Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di.