BENEFIT 277: Teaching Methods Should Suit the Context

Question: He asks whether teaching should be concise or in a detailed manner. Sheikh Abdulhameed Az-Zu'kari ḥafidhahullāh: The method of teaching should be appropriate to the situation. The origin with primary texts/mutoon is to focus on presenting the good and knowledge within them without taking prolonging or excessive elaboration. Whereas the origin with explanations/shurooh is that they may take some time, but typically do not require extensive explanation unless something is unclear to the student. Otherwise, the explanation itself should suffice. Additionally, prolonging the lesson can lead to boredom and fatigue. By Allāh's grace, since I was in Dammaj, I would begin a lesson and quickly complete it, while some (teachers) would continue teaching the same book for months, and despite the time difference benefit was achieved even with brevity. In Dammaj, we studied with some teachers who would extend their explanations excessively and add numerous annotations and references, which often pained our Sheikh Muqbil (may Allāh have mercy on him), and he would frequently advise against this. It is neither wise nor effective in education to teach a book like 'Kitab At-Tawhid' by quoting extensively from commentaries like 'Fat-h Al-Majīd', 'Taysīr al-Aziz al-Hamid*, *Fath Al-Hamīd Al-Majīd', 'I’ānat Al-Mustafīd', or 'Al-Qawl Al-Mufīd'. Instead, when teaching 'Kitab At-Tawhīd', focus on that text. Then, if you move on to 'Fat-h Al-Majīd', you can review the material covered in that commentary. Similarly, if you are teaching 'Al-Aqīdah Al-Wāsitiyyah', explain the knowledge and topics within it and the Aqeedah of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā’ah, as it is one of the clearest books on Aqeedah. Once the student has absorbed the Aqeedah of the pious predecessors, it is fine to read some commentaries on 'Al-Aqīdah Al-Wāsitiyyah', benefitting oneself and offering benefit to others. However, entering into a commentary without prior grounding can be very challenging, especially with certain commentaries that address doubts raised by innovators and refute them. We advise that each book be taught according to what it deserves, whether in the field of Fiqh, Aqeedah, or instrumental sciences. And Allāh is the One whose aid is sought. @almanhajussalafi