I am a young man whom Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has guided, and I am striving with all my effort to seek knowledge, but I do not know with what to begin in seeking knowledge.

The questioner : He says: May the Shaykh be respected, I am a young man whom Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has guided, and I am striving with all my effort to seek knowledge, but I do not know with what to begin in seeking knowledge, and memorization is difficult for me.

The Shaykh : And what else?

The questioner : And memorization is difficult for me when I try to memorize, and I have little understanding. May Allah reward you with the best reward for me.

The Shaykh : A student of knowledge should begin with the basics of knowledge before the advanced matters. For example: if he wants to seek knowledge in the science of creed, he should look at the small book written on creed, memorize it, and build upon it. Likewise in jurisprudence, and likewise in hadith, and other sciences. But the most important thing he should focus on is the Book of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). For Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) said: . So the most important thing a person should begin with is the Book of Allah (Mighty and Majestic); he should read it, memorize it, reflect upon it, and understand it. Then what is authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Sunnah, then the words of the scholars of knowledge. I advise this student to commit to a specific Shaykh in whom he trusts his knowledge, his trustworthiness, and his religion. The Shaykh will guide him to what he sees as best for him. Yes.