What are the steps followed in seeking knowledge so that the student of knowledge becomes a scholar grounded in the Book, the Sunnah, and the methodology of the Salaf?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : As for the student of knowledge, what are the steps that are obligatory for the student of knowledge to become a scholar of the principles of jurisprudence, grounded in the Book, the Sunnah, and the methodology of the righteous Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them)?
The Shaykh : The first rank: memorizing the Book of Allah the Exalted and Glorious, 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 of the Prophetic Sunnah, such as the concise books: like *Umdat al-Ahkam* and *Bulugh al-Maram*. Then, what the scholars have written on creed and the oneness of Allah. He starts with the concise books first, then what the scholars have written on Islamic jurisprudence, and he also starts with the concise books. In addition to the sciences of the tools, which are: the sciences of Arabic, including grammar, morphology, and rhetoric, to the extent possible. However, the thing I advise the student of knowledge not to do is 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 benefits greatly.
And in any case, it is necessary that the student seeks knowledge under the hand of a scholar, and the scholar guides him with what he sees as suitable for his condition.
The Shaykh : The first rank: memorizing the Book of Allah the Exalted and Glorious, 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 of the Prophetic Sunnah, such as the concise books: like *Umdat al-Ahkam* and *Bulugh al-Maram*. Then, what the scholars have written on creed and the oneness of Allah. He starts with the concise books first, then what the scholars have written on Islamic jurisprudence, and he also starts with the concise books. In addition to the sciences of the tools, which are: the sciences of Arabic, including grammar, morphology, and rhetoric, to the extent possible. However, the thing I advise the student of knowledge not to do is 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 benefits greatly.
And in any case, it is necessary that the student seeks knowledge under the hand of a scholar, and the scholar guides him with what he sees as suitable for his condition.