بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
If we were to take our commitment to faith seriously, it entails and requires knowledge. Very often we do not take the learning of the Deen (religion) sufficiently seriously.
A Muslim need to know four types of knowledge religiously:
1. Core religious knowledge (fard al-ayn -- essential knowledge)-- the knowledge you need to have to be a state of obedience of Allah in the circumstances that you are in.
A lot of people is negligent with respect to this core knowledge. It is not only about worship (prayer, fasting, paying zakat, menstruation, etc), it is also worldly obligations. Worldly obligations are broadly of three types: financial dealings, halal and haram (relates to our food and drink, gender relations, work, dress, etc), and relationships (marriage, the right of parents, maintaining family ties and other social duties like the right of neighbors)
Allah does not give us intuitive knowledge on these things. So we need to learn the fiqh.
If you don't know the halal and haram, how can you actually pursue it? There is a lot of guidance that Allah and His Messenger relate to us.
The most important external limb is the tongue and there is a lot of fiqh related to speech. Most people, even students of knowledge, are very negligent of that. So, we must learn these things. This takes time. The act of learning these things is itself humbling. As one learns, one realizes that "I am not all that, there is a lot I am responsible of and a lot I get wrong."
You may look religious (hijab/niqab, bearded, etc), but if you are not fulfilling the rights of your parents and your tongue is still backbiting, you are in a bad situation and missing out on the core knowledge. This core knowledge requires attention. Knowledge is only through study.
2. Devotional knowledge
This knowledge is of two matters -- knowledge of the Qur'an and knowledge of the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
The person of the Qur'an will be told in the Day of Judgment, recite and rise. Your station is according to the last verse that you recite.
For people who are serious about religion and decide to learn the Deen, they are very often neglectful when it comes to the devotional knowledge. Even though we don't take the rulings of religion directly from the Qur'an ourselves, following a qualified scholar is not a substitute for you having a living relationship with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. This requires knowledge.
Strive to learn Arabic -- Arabic clearly facilitates the perfection of one's knowledge. At devotional level it is clearly important. The relationship between word and meaning in Arabic language, there is nothing like it at all. This applies to the Qur'an and the words of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. How can someone claim to love the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam if they don't strive to learn his language because every lover wants to understand his beloved.
There is at least six duties of devotional knowledge of the Qur'an:
1-- Correct recitation of the Qur'an
2-- Learn the science of tajweed -- this gives you clarity
3-- Have a complete reading of the Qur'an with a qualified teacher
4-- Daily routine of reciting the Qur'an -- the Hanbali's scholars consider it makruh not to finish the Qur'an at least once a month. You should strive to be able to complete reciting the Qur'an at least once a month. Though the standard is much higher -- The former Mufti of Jordan, the righteous faqih, Shaykh Nuh Ali Salman (rahimahullah) used to say, "Someone who doesn't recite two juz Qur'an each day, I don't consider them to be fit to give legal verdicts...because the beginning of knowledge is to know that the next life is better for you than this life. If you cannot make enough time to read 2 juz of Qur'an a day, you don't have a sense of what really matters in life and if you have no sense of what really matter in life, why should trust you to tell other people what is right and wrong in life."
Tilawah (reciting the Qur'an) is an act of humbling. The basis of your relationship with the Book of Allah is not understanding, but it is slavehood and veneration.
Listening to the Qur'an recitation -- this is a tremendous neglected Sunnah.
Narrated Ibrahim: from 'Abidah that 'Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to me: 'Recite for me.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Shall I recite for you while it is to you whom it was revealed?' He said: 'I love to hear it from other than me.'" So I recited Surat An-Nisa until I reached: "...And We bring you (Muhammad) as a witness against these people? (4:41)" He said: "So I saw the eyes of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) overflowing with tears." [Tirmidhi]
Listen to the recitation of the Qur'an daily. Just by hearing, one's recitation gets better.
The Hanafi fuqaha' say that there is greater reward in listening the Qur'an than reciting the Qur'an because reciting is sunnah, listening is fard. So, when you recite, raise your voice a little bit so you can hear what you are reciting.
5-- Striving to understand at least something of the Qur'an everyday -- reading tafsir, translation, meanings. If you just read explanation of 3 verses a day, in one year you would have read over 1000 verses and it's explanation. Nurture some understanding of the Qur'an daily. Everyday one should know something about Qur'an than they know previously.
6-- Lifetime project of at least read a tafsir of the Qur'an
Same thing with the Sunnah. No day should past except that you read something about the character of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and his guidance and teachings, with the intention to act upon it.
Some of them you may study, but the broader responsibility of connecting with the Qur'an and Sunnah is part of the knowledge that you need. The other knowledge that you gain is the mirror of your living connection with the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
3. Spiritual Knowledge -- the knowledge of the state of the heart such that one is able to have a sound relationship with Allah and Allah's creation. There is various aspects to this -- how to rid oneself of blameworthy qualities and acquire praiseworthy qualities of the heart, how to rectify one's character. This falls into the category of ihsan. the most important aspect of our reality in our standing with Allah, is not simply what we believe or what we do, but how we are with Allah. Your faith and your actions are meant to facilitate you to have a sound state with Allah. That's why the Day of Judgement is described as the day when neither wealth nor offspring will avail one except the one who come with a sound heart. This require knowledge of sincerity, knowledge of praiseworthy and blameworthy qualities.
4. Spiritual Works -- striving to have regular routine of acting of what one knows. Acting of what one knows is knowledge itself. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Whoever Allah wishes well for, He grants deep understanding (fiqh) of the religion." It is not complete knowledge that fire burns if you stick your hand in it. True complete knowledge entails acting accordingly, otherwise you don't really get it. For the knowledge to be true, it is not just information but knowledge that is of benefit. Strive to develop routine of acting and living what one knows. This is a critical part of knowledge
Any believer who is serious about his Deen (about submitting to Allah, about striving to be pleasing to Allah, about having the conduct of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) cannot avoid except having an on going and living relationship of learning.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said “The only reason I have been sent is to perfect good manners”.
One of the keys to purifying the heart is to adorn oneself with good morals, characteristics, etiquette, and manners.
Some of the Outward Manners of Seeking Knowledge:
1. Repeat and Review
Even donkeys learn. So there is no reason why we humans cannot learn through repetition. If you repeat it 33 times, most people will remember.
What do you have to review?
Key Concepts, conditions, and integrals because if you understand these clearly, you understand what you are studying
Definitions (e.g. What is ghusl? What is wudu? What is wiping?)
Shaykh Adib Kallas (rahimahullah) said that matters are known by their definitions. So, it is of utmost importance that one learns the definitions of what is being studying.
Definitions bring out the meanings of things.
2. Take Notes
Take notes while listening, but also make your own notes on readings that are prescribed or supplemental material described in the lecture.
Have pen and paper to jot down the most important things described or items to be researched at a later time.
Diagram what you are studying because diagramming helps to visual concepts. Diagramming helps you actively engage in what you are learning.
A seeker of knowledge is called a seeker because they are an active participant in learning. The term “seeker” means that you are the one who is searching and acquiring knowledge. You are not being sought for knowledge.
Example: Seekers ask “What else can and should we be reading?” when studying a topic with a teacher.
3. Ask!
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The cure for confusion is but to ask”.
We shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions from our teachers because if we don’t ask, it may lead to confusion and misunderstanding. The questions should, however, be asked with the proper etiquette and manners.
Asking is half of knowledge. Part of why it is half of knowledge is to know how to ask a question, and the right way of asking questions
Asking is also to confirm what you do understand because 'Ilm is decisive knowledge. So it is imperative to make sure your understanding is correct.
4. Extra Readings
You must do extra readings in a guided way, not randomly. The strong student of knowledge is one who learns the core of their knowledge through teachers but at the same time they continue reading to gain breadth of knowledge.
You can potentially read many things, but you would be foolish to read books above your current level 'Ilm. So, ask what is appropriate.
Anytime you are studying one book, try to read a similar book on the same level. This will deepen your understanding of any topic.
Read actively.
5. Prepare for class
The best way to prepare for a class is to prepare so much that you know the subject better than the teacher. It is important to prepare for class, just as you prepare to go to school or work. It is best to read and understand the text of the section being discussed. However, if nothing else, read over the text of the section. When reading, you may encounter questions which you can then ask when given the opportunity
Many Ulama' say that one should prepare for five hours for each one hour of class, however, others have recommended less time for preparation.
Some of the Inward Manners of Seeking Knowledge:
A goal you seek by your Lord:
no delay here.
A goal you seek by yourself:
not easy.
A sign of success in the end:
turning to Allah in the beginning.
A radiant beginning:
a radiant ending. [Hikam Ibn 'Ata'ila]
1. Intention
Have a high intention of why you are seeking knowledge. Is it to seek the pleasure of Allah (may He be exalted), or are you seeking knowledge to show off?
Make your intention clear. It will help you motivated. If there are parts of your study that are not exciting, it doesn't matter because it is part of a bigger plan.
Renew your intention often.
2. Clear and Defined Goals
Have a clear sense of what you are seeking, and define what your goals are for seeking knowledge. What are you trying to achieve? How are you going to go about seeking knowledge? Do you want to be able to teach others?
3. Veneration
Scholars are inheritors of the Prophets.
Have a deep, unshakeable respect for scholars (even when we disagree), writings of scholars, books (which are the vessels containing the water of guidance), and even knowledge itself. Disrespect of Ulema is sickness of our times.
Have wudu' when studying
4. Adab (Manners)
Have proper adab – you can only have adab if you learn about it.
5. Consistency
Seeking knowledge should become intrinsic for the true seeker.
Learn something every day and review every day. Our lives are busy, but at the same time we should set aside some time every day to learn. Part of consistency is to have a routine.
At the end of class make du'a.
Always act upon knowledge learned.
May Allah grant us steadfastness and tawfiq in our seeking knowledge. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.
And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.
Wassalaam
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