Comprehensive Advice for Those Who Wish to Record Benefits Systematically Utilising Proper Methods

Part One Introduction: A. Life is short, knowledge is vast, and reading condenses both for you. B. A scholar composes his book over many years; yet you can read his book in just a few days. Reading, therefore, shortens lifetimes. C. Imam Mālik compiled his book Al-Muwatta over forty years, revising, adding, removing, and modifying it; the book’s value is immense, yet his students could benefit from it in forty days. D. Imam Al-Bukhārī, may Allāh have mercy on him, wrote his book Al-Jāmi‘ Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥ in sixteen years, and compiled his book At-Tārīkh Al-Kabīr when he was eighteen. E. Reading provides the essence of others’ minds, experiences, and decades of knowledge. F. Lessons, lectures, and listening sessions have their limits; you cannot read all the books to the scholars themselves, and even if you do, it is merely a condensed experience compared to reading on your own. G. A person can study the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) mission from authentic biographies in just a few days, even though the mission lasted twenty-three years. H. A reader who loves reading, approaches it naturally, and almost prefers it over food and drink, stands out among peers. I. A book is a true friend: it gives without taking, is easy to memorise, easy to carry, reveals no secrets, and requires no special effort while reading—in any posture or attire. Ibn Ḥazm said: "Were it not for books, knowledge would be lost, we would not know what scholars said, nothing of the past would be benefited from, and there would be no distinction between the claims of the ignorant and the learned; everyone would claim whatever they wished, and the only authority would be memory, which is prone to corruption." [Al-Iḥkām (1:88)] J. Shaykh Al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah even debated his physician when the latter discouraged him from reading books. K. In some Western countries, “reading clinics” exist where people are treated through reading. L. Ibn al-Jawzī said: "Even if I say that I have read twenty thousand volumes, it would be an exaggeration… and I am still in pursuit of knowledge." [Ṣayd Al-Khāṭir (557)] Books of their time were of poor quality in paper and ink; how much more so for us, when we have the best editions and highest-quality prints! M. Those who own private libraries are primarily students of knowledge, not the general public; yet, still, many neglect reading. N. In the West, people used to read on trains and in cars; but after the advent of smartphones, they now complain of declining reading habits. O. Do not assume that everyone reading a book in a train or elsewhere is reading a scholarly work; it may well be a novel. (Some ordinary Muslim libraries once contained over two million books, managed by more than two hundred specialised workers who organised and returned the books—so do not belittle reading among Muslims.) P. One must realise the danger of neglecting reading: People need reading as they need food and drink; would anyone give a lecture on the necessity of eating or drinking? It is instinctive. --- Psychological Factors Leading to Reluctance in Reading: 1. School habits: We are taught to focus on reading correctly rather than understanding, to avoid being laughed at for mispronunciation; this imprints a lifelong barrier to natural reading. 2. A perceived obstacle arises—likely due to hearing repeatedly from teachers: “If a scholar relies on his book, his mistakes are greater than his correct points.” This holds true for those who do not internalise knowledge or study under qualified scholars. For example, a man asked Al-Ishbīlī the meaning of “Kamawj”. He replied: “Where did you read it?” The man said, “In the poem of Imru’ Al-Qays: ‘And the night kamawj [like the waves of the sea] spread its veil.’” Ibn Ishbīlī said: “Kamawj is a beast that reads but does not understand!”