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Copyright 2019 Al-Binaa Publishing

All Rights Reserved No parts of this publication may be reproduced in any language, printed in any form or any electronic or mechanical means including but not limited to photocopying, recording or otherwise, without specific verbal or written consent from Al-Binaa Publishing.

Publisher: Al-Binaa Publishing Translator: Abu Ilyas Abdulali Jourari Translation reviewed by: Abu Anas Atif Hasan Email: [email protected] Cover Design: Al-Binaa By Design www.albinaapublishing.com

A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

 Introduction: All p aise is due to Allāh, The Lo d of the U i e se. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped e ept Allāh, alo e ith o pa t e s, a d I ea it ess that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. May Allāh s pea e a d lessi gs e upo hi a d all his household and companions. O Allāh! We ask ou fo e efi ial k o ledge, righteous deeds, goodly sustenance and guidance to that which you love and approve of, amongst the straightest of speech and the most righteous of actions. As to what follows, O honorable folks and students of knowledge!1 Congratulations to you on this return and a i al i this lessed it , it of Allāh s esse ge  and on this benevolent and beneficial joining of The Isla i U i e sit . I ask Allāh  to extend His

1

The origin of this treatise is a lecture that was delivered at the Islamic U i e sit i Madī ah o the th of thūl-Qa dah, a o di g to the hijri calendar. It was then transcribed and slightly modified, and we have preserved its spoken style as in the le tu e, a d Allāh is the o l one who grants success.

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

success and aid to you and to grant you all beneficial knowledge and righteous actions by His grace and bounty. At the beginning of the (school) year, new students in particular tend to ask quite often about the methodology and the plan for seeking knowledge, for conducting worship, and for leading a life of a student of knowledge in general. It is a tremendous question and one of paramount importance. Therefore, I have come across a valuable piece of writing and highly e efi ial des iptio sha kh I Utha ī  where he was asked by a questioner to write him a plan which he would traverse in his life. Thus he wrote a highly beneficial piece of writing. We shall be introduced to what he wrote and I will comment on his spee h ith hat Allāh has ade eas fo e. I ask Allāh  to cause me and all of you to benefit from this plan which he  wrote and composed as a sincere advice (to the student of knowledge and the Muslims in general).

Sha kh A du azā

i A dul uhsi Al-Badr

4

A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

The e i e t s hola I questioner:

Utha

ī  said to the

You have asked me - a Allāh less ou- to lay down for you a plan which you will traverse in your life. Indeed, I ask Allāh to guide us all to that i hi h the e is guidance, uprightness, soundness and discernment and cause us to be well-guided guides and righteous reformers, so I say (in reply to your request): Fi st: With Rega ds to Allāh : He  divided this methodology which a Muslim and a student of knowledge is to tread upon into atego ies. The fi st atego pe tai s to Allāh. He said: Fi st: With Rega ds to Allāh . Make su e that ou al a s e ith Allāh , conscious of His Magnitude, contemplative of His universal signs such as the creation of the heavens and the earth and His Ultimate Wisdom, His Incredible Capability and His Great Mercy and Bounty which He deposited in them, as well as His religious signs with which He sent His messengers, particularly the final one: Muhammad . In this first point, he invited the student of knowledge to devote special attention to this aspect, a very much egle ted aspe t, a el , o te plati g Allāh s dominion. Look at the guidance of the Prophet 5

A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

 when he used to wake up during the last part of the night and in the middle of it. He would begin by eadi g e ses f o the e di g of Su ah of Āl I ā :1

ƙƘƗƖƕƔƓƒƑƐ ƤƣƢơƠƟƞƝƜƛƚ ƱưƯƮƭƬƫƪƩƨƧƦƥ Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who re e er Allāh al ays, a d i prayers sta di g, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the

As as epo ted i the hadīth of I A ās, where he said: I sta ed o e ight at au t Ma ū a s house . Allāh's esse ge  spoke to his wife for a short while and then went to sleep. When it was the last third part of the night, he got up and looked towards the sky and said:

1

ƚƙƘƗƖƕƔƓƒƑƐ Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Then he got up a d pe fo ed udū, ushed his teeth a d offe ed ele e ak as. The Bilal p o ou ed the athā he eupo the P ophet offered a two- ak as p a e a d e t out to offe faj p a e . [Bukhā ī, a d Musli , ]

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.1

This is an invitation to contemplate on a daily basis, and this contemplation keeps the heart busy with greater and more beneficial affairs than the (evil) promptings which usually fill up the hearts. Nevertheless, if a person keeps his heart busy with reflecting upon these creations which demonstrate the Greatness of the One that created them and the Perfectness of the One that originated them and the Omnipotence of the One that generated them, then they all point to the Creator, as the poet said: In everything He has a proof.2 These are proofs and evidences demonstrating the Perfectness as well as Magnitude of the Creator. Therefore, among the things that a student of knowledge and a Muslim in general has to be concerned with is to always observe contemplation (of these universal and religious signs). Secondly, He stated:

Qu ā , : -191 The poet  said: Astonishing it is how the One most deserving of worship is disobeyed and how the rejecters reject Him, While in everything He has a proof that indicates that He is One, A d Allāh has a it ess i e e otio o still ess e e .

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2

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

You hea t ought to e filled ith the lo e of Allāh, the Exalted, thanks to the blessings He provides you with and the afflictions He averts from you, especially the lessi g of Islā a d steadfast ess upo it, so u h so that He becomes the most beloved one to you. This is a great matter which a student of knowledge and a Muslim in general should devote special attention to, a el , to fill his hea t ith the lo e of Allāh. There are things that aid you in filling your heart with the lo e of Allāh , some of which the shaykh  has poi ted to. He stated: … tha ks to the lessi gs He p o ides ou ith. Look at the o goi g lessi gs of Allāh upo ou, His o ti ui g g a es a d various gifts 1 : in your health, your well-being, your wealth, your residence, your clothing, your food and drink and your offspring and other than that. Indeed, reflecting upon these favors and blessings hi h Allāh has esto ed upo ou as ell as the afflictions, evils, and disasters which He has warded off from you, turns your hea t to a ds Allāh  in love and fills it with His love .

Someone said: If a pe so 's hea t is atu all disposed to a ds lo i g those that are kind to it, what is the case then for the one who does not see a o e ki d to hi ut Allāh ! How can he not turn in his e ti et to Hi ! Me tio ed I ā I Raja al-Ha alī i "Isti shā Nasī al-Uns" among his Collection of Treatises, (vol.1, p:185).

1

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

Whe ou efle t upo the g a es of Allāh upo ou, the best favor which (when you reflect upon it) i eases ou lo e to a ds Allāh i ou hea t is the fa o of Islā a d ta hīd:1

ƏƎƍƌƋƊƉƈƇƆƅ ƜƛƚƙƘƗƖƕƔƓƒƑƐ ƟƞƝ

1

Allāh, E alted e He, said:

ƠƟƞƝƜƛƚƙƘƗƖƕƔƓƒƑƐƏ ƬƫƪƩƨƧƦƥƤƣƢơ The Event (the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the Islamic laws or commandments), ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they associate as partners with Him. He sends down the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves He pleases (saying): "Warn mankind that La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so fear Me (by a stai i g fro si s a d e il deeds . Qur’ā , 16: 1-2 I ā I Raja al-Ha alī  said: The state e t of Ta hīd has enormous virtues which cannot be exhaustively discussed here ... and i this e se, it is the fi st a o g Allāh's fa o s upo His sla es hi h He e tio ed he e i this sū ah of fa o s hi h is alled sū ah A -Nahl (the bees). Therefore, Ibn Uyayna  said: Allāh has ot esto ed upon a slave from His slaves a favor greater than causing him to know lā ilāha illa lāh i.e. the e is o deit o th of o ship e ept Allāh (Kalimatul-Ikhlās Wa Tah ī u Ma' āha, p:53).

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

But Allāh has e deared the Faith to you a d has beautified it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, i ked ess a d diso edie e to Allāh a d His Messenger) hateful to you. These! They are the rightly guided ones, (This is) a Grace fro Allāh a d His Fa our. A d Allāh is All-Knowing, All-Wise.1

Thirdly, He  stated: Your heart ought to be filled ith ag if i g Allāh , so much so that He becomes the greatest thing in yourself. B o i i g lo i g Allāh, E alted is He, with magnifying Him in your heart, you will become steadfast in His obedience, abiding by what He has commanded due to your love for Him, forsaking what He has forbidden due to your magnification of Him. So observe filling your heart with loving Allāh a d magnifying Him, Majestic is He in His Highness. You will be aided to magnify Him by looking into the signs that i di ate the G eat ess of Allāh, His Pe fe t Omnipotence, His Complete Power, His Severe Punishment and Retribution and Painful Torment. If a slave reflects upon these things as well as the things that fill his hea t ith lo e of Allāh , he ill attai a ala e et ee hope i Allāh a d fea of Hi .

1

Qu ā ,

: -8

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

‫ﰀ‬ Declare (O Muhammad ) unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful. And that My Torment is indeed the most painful torment.1 You are to combine these two affairs: ❖ Lo e of Allāh ith hi h ou shall fill ou hea t a d hi h ill lead ou to o e i g Allāh a d observing His Pleasure, ❖ A d ag ifi atio of Allāh a d k o ledge of His Greatness  which will ward you off from falling into His disobedience and what He  has forbidden His slaves from. Fourthly, you should be sincere to Him  in your acts of worship and reliant upon Him in all your circumstances whereby you will achieve the station of

65432

1

Qu ā ,

:

-50

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).1 And you ought to be conscious- with your heart -that you are implementing what He has commanded out of obedience to His Order and leaving off what He has forbidden out of obedience to His Warning. In so doing, you will find a taste in your worship which you will not reach while being heedless (of these affairs) and you will find assistance from Him in your affairs which you won't receive when relying upon yourself. You are in need of ikhlās i.e. si e it to Allāh a d tawakkul i.e. elia e upo Allāh :

ơƠƟ So worship Him (O Muhammad ) and put your trust in Him.2 The prophet  said: Stick to that which e efits ou a d seek assista e f o Allāh.3 As to hat he said ith ega ds to the o le a alo e e o ship, this is a tualizatio stateme t of ta hīd : the e is o deit o ship e ept Allāh. You alo e e Qu ā , : Qu ā , : 3 Reported by Muslim, 2664.

1

2

12

ah, You of the o th of o ship ;

A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

meaning, we worship you and we do not worship anyone other than you, performing the religion sincerely for Your sake only. "You only we ask for help" is actualization of lā ha la a-lā u ata illā illāh i.e. the e is o ight o po e e ept ith Allāh , fo lā ha la a-lā u ata illā illāh is a state e t he e assista e is sought f o Allāh . Like ise, "You only we ask for help" means we seek help from You, but we do not seek help from other than You.1 Hence with these two affairs, namely, worshipping Allāh alo e a d seeki g assista e f o Hi alo e, majestic is He in His Highness, a person's knowledge and actions become upright, and so his life becomes up ight upo the o edie e of Allāh, ajesti is He i His Highness.2 He,

a Allāh the E alted ha e

Se o d: With ega ds To Allāh's

e

o hi , stated:

esse ge :

He mentioned various things here. He stated:

I ā I al-Qayyim  said: Oftentimes I would hear shaykhulIslā I Ta i a - a Allāh pu if his soul - saying: "You alone we worship" wards off ostentation, and "You alone we ask for help" wards off arrogance. (Madā ijus-Sālikī , vol.1, p:54) 2 Ibn al-Qayyim  said: All of those ho ha e k o ledge of Allāh unanimously agree that t ue guida e is he Allāh, Glo ified e He, does ot e t ust ou to ou self a d dese tio is he Allāh, glo ified be He, entrusts you to yourself. (Al-Wā il us-Sayyib, p:28)

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

1- You ought to give precedence to his love over the love of every creation and to his guidance and way over the guidance and way of anyone else. He  said: By the One in whose Hand my soul is, none of you shall attain complete faith until I become dearer to him than his father, his son, and all people.1 Even this is not sufficient. In addition to that, you ought to give precedence to his love over your love for your o self, as i the hadīth of O a  in Bukhā ī's Sahīh2, where he said: Indeed, you are more beloved to me than everything except my own self. He  said (in response to that): Nay, by the One in whose Hand my soul is, (you won't attain complete faith) until I become more beloved to you than your own self. Omar  said to hi : B Allāh e il o ou a e more beloved to me than my own self. He  said: Now, O Omar! (you have attained complete faith). This love, however, is not a mere false claim which a person makes. For it is quite easy for every tongue and quite simple for every person to say: Indeed, I love the Messenger greater than my love for my own self, my father, my son and all people. But (unsubstantiated)

1 2

Reported by Bukhārī (15) and Muslim (44). 6632

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

lai s a e ot e ough, the efo e, Allāh  has said:

ƂƁƀſžŽżŻźŹŸŷŶŵ Ƅƃ Say (O Muhammad  to mankind): "If you really lo e Allāh the follo e i.e. a ept Isla i Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allāh ill lo e you a d forgi e you of your si s. A d Allāh is Oft-Forgi i g, Most Mer iful.”1 Therefore, the shaykh  connected the love of the Messenger to following his guidance. He said: You ought to give precedence to his love over the love of every creation and to his guidance and way over the guidance and way of anyone else. So if you give precedence to his guidance and way over any other guidance and way, that will be a sign of true and complete love (of the Messenger ). He  stated: 2- You ought to take him as your leading example in your acts of worship and your manners, such that when performing acts of worship bear in

1

Qu ā , :

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

mind that you are following him as if he is before you, pursuing his steps and acting upon his methodology. Likewise, when interacting with people, bear in mind that you are emulating his manners which Allāh des i ed: ƦƥƤƣƢ

And verily, you (O Muhammad ) are on an exalted standard of character.1 As long as you remain committed to that, you will be extremely keen on getting to know about his religion and his manners. What the shaykh pointed to (above) is evidenced by the state e t of Allāh :

‫ﰀ‬ I deed i the Messe ger of Allāh Muha

ad

) you have a good example to follow for hi ho hopes i the Meeti g ith Allāh a d the Last Day a d re e ers Allāh u h.2

1 2

Qu ā , Qu ā ,

: :

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

It is incumbent upon every Muslim to take the messenger  for a leading example in worship a d a e s, fo i deed Allāh has pe fe ted his worship so much so that no one is more perfect than hi i o ship of Allāh. Like ise, He has pe fe ted his manners so much that no-one is more complete than hi i a e s, a the lessi gs a d pea e of Allāh be upon him: And verily, you (O Muhammad ) are on an exalted standard of character. 1 Taking someone for a leading example means to pursue the footsteps of the one you are following, to walk upon his methodology, to emulate him and to give precedence to his speech, his guidance and his way over everyone else's. The third matter relates to one's obligation towards the Messenger . You ought to be a caller to his Sunnah, supporting it and defe di g it, fo i deed Allāh ill g a t ou suppo t and victory according to your support for his sharia. If Allāh has guided ou to take hi fo a leading example, follow his guidance, walk upon his way and pu sue his steps, a Allāh's lessi gs a d pea e e upon him, then convey this good to others and be a caller to the sunnah of the prophet, teach this good to

1

Qu ā ,

:

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

others, and be a defender of the sunnah. The religion of Allāh ill e ai i to ious eithe ith ou suppo t or without it; however, it is of benefit to you to devote your life to the defense and support of the religion of Allāh. Othe ise, the eligio is i to ious he eupo the honorable will be honored and the disgraceful will be disgraced. Still it is only good for you to make of your life a call to the sunnah of the prophet  and support for his religion. May the prayers, peace and lessi gs of Allāh e upo hi . The shaykh  stated afterwards: Three: Your Daily Actions Apart from the Obligations Othe tha the o ligatio s hi h Allāh has compulsory, what else should you do?

ade

The shaykh has laid down a quite beautiful and wellcomposed plan which is as a matter of fact incumbent upon us to reflect upon and to devote more attention to implementing. He - a Allāh's

e

e upo hi - stated:

1- If you stood up (in prayer) during portion of the ight, the e e e Allāh, the E alted, a d ake suppli atio to Allāh aski g Hi hatsoe e ou wish, for supplication at that part (of the night) is more likely to be answered, and read the saying of Allāh, E alted e He: 18

A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

ƙƘƗƖƕƔƓƒƑƐ ƛƚ Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.1 Co ti ue eadi g u til ou fi ish the sū ah of Āl-I These are ten verses.2

ā .

Voluntary night prayer has become a thing of the past for many people at this time due to the staying up late at night 3 which has become very widespread among many people nowadays. The most ardent among them will (barely) observe fajr prayer. As for night prayers and getting up during the last third part of the night,

Qu ā , : Based on what is authentically reported in both Sahīhs: al-Bukhā ī (4570) and Muslim (256). 3 Except when it is sometimes needed, then there is no harm in it as long as this does not affe t Faj p a e . I ā Shāti i  said: Mālik disapproved of the practice of staying up the whole night, and said: One ould e e hausted i the o i g fo faj p a e , a d i Allāh's messenger  is a good example to follow. He said afterwards: There is no harm in it as long as it does not affect fajr prayer. Al-I'tisam, vol.1, p:387 Shaykh-ul-Islā I Ta ia  said: Staying awake at night which is legislated... entails p a e , e e a e of Allāh , eadi g o iti g of knowledge and looking into it, studying it among other acts of worship. As to which is preferable, this differs from one person to another. Collection of Fatawah, vol.2, p:143

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2

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

many people have no share in that due to their staying up late. For this reason, the prophet  warned against staying up late, for there is harm in it to a person with regards to his patterns (of life), his worship, and the way he arranges his (daily) activities. There is also in it an opposition to the universal law of Allāh:

ƏƎƍƌƋƊƉƈƇƆƅƄ ƑƐ It is out of His Mercy that He has put for you night and day, that you may rest therein (i.e. during the night) and that you may seek of His Bounty (i.e. during the day), and in order that you may be grateful.1 That ou a est the ei , that is to sa , du i g the ight. That ou a seek of His Bou t , that is to sa , during the day. Hence there is tranquility and rest in the night. The body takes its share of sleep and rest from the starting time of the night. Then a Muslim wakes up during the last third part of the night to obtain this enormous bounty at this blessed time. He  said:

1

Qu ā ,

:

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A DAILY PLAN FOR THE STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE

Our Lord  descends every night to the nearest heaven when the last third part of the night remains. He says: Who is calling on me so I can answer him? Who is asking me (for anything) so I give (it to) him? Who is seeking my forgiveness so I forgive him?1 This is time when the supplication is answered. Seek His forgiveness; you will be forgiven. Ask for anything; you will be given it. Make a supplication; it will be answered for you. However, these blessed moments have disappeared for many people. Therefore, a student of knowledge should have a share in the last third part of the night. The shaykh began with it among the non-obligatory matters because it is a foundation upon which e e thi g else is uilt. So if Allāh  guides you and you have a share in the last portion of the night, by the pe issio of Allāh , your day will be wellarranged and your life will be well-o ga ized, a d Allāh will place blessing in your time. 2 Second, the shaykh  states:

1

Reported by al-Bukhā ī

a d Musli

2

A a sta ed o e ight at I ā Ah ad's house, so he put ate lose to hi i o de to use it fo udū' . The a said: I did ot ake up during the night and hence did not use the water. When the morning came, he (i.e. Imam Ahmad) said to me: Why did you not use the water? So I as asha ed a d kept sile t, he eupo he said: Su ha allāh!

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2- Pray what is written for you during the last part of the night, and end with an odd-numbered prayer. As the messenger  said: Let your last unit of prayer be a witr.1 3- Observe saying as much as you can from the o i g athkā . Sa a hu d ed ti es: ‫ له امللك وله احلمد و و على كل شيء قدير‬،‫ال إله إال هللا وحده ال شريك له‬ The e is o deit o th of o ship e ept Allāh, alone and having no partners. To Him belongs the Dominion and To Him belongs all praise and He is Capable over all things.2 Su ha allāh! I ha e e e hea d of a s hola of hadīth ot pe fo i g voluntary night prayer. The same story happened to another man with him. He said to him: I am a tra ele . The i ā said: E e if ou e e a t a ele . Mas ū performed haj. He did not sleep except while prostrating. Shaykh Taqiyyud-Deen said: from this, it is learned that it is disagreeable for people of knowledge to leave night prayer, even if they were travelling. Al-Ādā ash-Shar'iya, vol.1, p:562 1 Reported by al-Bukhā ī a d Musli 2

On the authority of Abu Hurairah  that Allāh's esse ge  said: Whoe e sa s: Lā ilāha illallāhu, ahdahu lā sha īka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ha du, a hu a alā kulli sha i adī i.e. the e is o deit o th of o ship e ept Allāh, alo e a d ha i g o partners. To Him belongs the Dominion and To Him belongs all praise, and He is Capable over all things) he will have a reward equivalent to that for emancipating ten slaves, a hundred good deeds will be recorded to his credit, a hundred of his sins will be blotted out from his scroll, and

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The shaykh  mentioned specifically this hundredtime invocation -even though the reported athkā a e so a - due to the great status of saying the state e t of ta hīd a hu d ed ti es a da a d the blessed and great outcomes that this brings about in the life of the Muslim and his hereafter. 4- Offe the t o ak a-prayer of dhuha. This is the advice of the Prophet  to Abu Hurairah  where he said: My beloved (i.e. the Prophet ) advised me to do three things among these three things he mentioned - the two ak a-prayer of Dhuha.1 5- Observe as much as you can of the evening athkā .

he will be safeguarded against the devil on that day till the evening; and no one will exceed him in doing more excellent good deeds except someone who has recited these words more often than him. Reported by al-Bukhā ī a d Musli . Our shaykh A du azā Bi A dul-Muhsin al-Badr - a Allāh p ese e him- said: There is (a clear) indication in this to the great importance of the state e t of ta hīd -la ilāha illa lāh o deit o th of o ship e ept Allāh , hi h is the ost i fi itel loft state e t, the est of what the prophets said, and for which the earth and heavens were established, and the creations and humanities were created. Its people are owners of happiness, success, and victory in the worldly life and the hereafter. It behoves a Muslim to devote greater attention to a statement with such enormous importance. It is only Allāh i hose Hand lie success and guidance. (Fiqh-ul-Athkā wal-Ad’iyah, vol. 2, p:34) 1 Reported by al-Bukhā ī (1178) and Muslim (721)

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You commence your morning with the remembrance of Allāh a d e d ou e e i g ith the e e a e of Allāh, so ou ill e a o g those ho e e e Allāh i the o i gs a d afte oo s. These invocations -i.e. morning and evening invocations- are from the greatest invocations which a Muslim should observe and be consistent in saying on a daily and constant basis because of the blessed outcomes that this brings about during a person's day and night. Moreover, he has to learn the benefits which result from saying these invocations from what the p ophet e tio ed. Ma Allāh's p a e s, pea e a d blessings be upon him. Four: The Way of Seeking Knowledge He said: four; that is to say, (the fourth section is) on the methodology of seeking knowledge. The Way of Seeking Knowledge 1- Make su e that ou e o ize the ook of Allāh, the Exalted, and commit yourself to reading a spe ifi po tio of the Qu ā e e da reflectively and attentively, and when you come across a benefit while reading, take note of it. From the meanings and instructions which the e ses of the Qu ā poi t to is to ead the Qu ā and reflect upon it): 24

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ŰůŮŭŬūŪũŨŧŦ ŶŵŴųŲű Verily, this Qur'an guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a great reward (Paradise). 1 Allāh  says:

ƂƁƀſžŽżŻźŹ (This is) a Book (the Qur'ān) which We have sent

down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.2 Therefore, a Muslim has to assign himself a portion of the Qu ā to ead o a dail asis. The best way to do this is the way of the companions3 he e the ould pa titio the Qu ā to se e pa ts

Qu ā , : Qu ā , : 3 O the autho it of A dullah I A , ho said: Allāh's Messe ge  said: Read the hole Qu 'ā o e i e e o th. I said: Indeed, I have strength (to read more). Until he said: Read it in seven

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whereby it would be completed once in every week. It is ok though if it is completed once in every month, every 40 days, every 20 days, every 10 days, every 7 days, or every 3 days; but no less than that. However, he ought to persist upon that on a regular basis. The ost elo ed deed to Allāh is the pe siste t o e e e though it were little.1 2- Make sure you memorize as much as you can from the authentic narrations of the Messenger , among that memorizing UmdatulAhkā . He  mentioned the blessed book, UmdatulAhkā , the I ā A dul-Gha ī al-Ma disī, Allāh the E alted ha e e o hi .2

a

3- Make sure that you remain focused and steady, so much that you don't take bits and pieces of knowledge from here and bits and pieces of (days) and do not read more than that. Reported by al-Bukhā ī and Muslim (1159). 1 Reported by al-Bukhā ī (5761) and Muslim (2818). The 'alla ah Muha ad I Sālih al-Utha ī  said: The book Umdatul-Ahkā , i.e. the Principle Islamic Rulings, is based on the narrations which al-Bukhā ī and Muslim agreed upon, so the one relying on this book is relying on a fundamental book and is not in need of exerting himself in verifying the authenticity of the hadiths, and if he e o izes those hadīths, he ill e a le, the pe issio of Allāh, to quote from them as evidence for every issue while being so confident. Explanation of Umdatul-Ahkā vol.1, p:15

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knowledge from there as this will waste your time and distract your mind. This is a crucial remark which we often neglect. The shaykh's view is that the student of knowledge should establish himself scientifically. This scientific establishing (of a student) is achieved through special a e a d atte tio to utū hi h people of knowledge have composed in order for them to be principles fo a stude t of k o ledge i a īdah, hadīth, and fiqh and similar areas of study. Therefore, he should de ote spe ial atte tio to these utū , so much that they become well-established fundamental segments (i.e. principles) upon which he is to build his own knowledge. Acquiring knowledge should not be done in (random) bits and pieces. He  stated: 4- Begin with basic books (of knowledge), and study them extensively, and then move on to more advanced ones until you acquire knowledge in a gradual manner, so that it will be well-established in your heart and you feel confident in it. It is for this reason that most people of knowledge guide beginner students of knowledge to no more than I ā an-Nawawi's Forty Hadīth. They would recommend them to pay special attention to this book. 27

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However, if a beginner who has just become upright consults some callers or students of knowledge, they will read out to him a list of books, saying: this book is good, this one is beneficial, this one is useful, this one is good in that field of knowledge. So they find knowledge too heavy and too difficult to access and most likely (end up) quitting it altogether. On the contrary, if it is said to him: Take the Fo ty Hadīths, it is enough for you, pay attention to it, memorize it, review it, a d liste to its e pla atio s, fo t hadīths o 't take too long to memorize; if you memorize one hadith every day, you will complete it in 40 or 42 days, and you will find its blessed effect upon you. This is e ause I ā a -Nawawi's Forty Hadīths, Glory e to Allāh, is a utte l a azi g ook. He - a Allāh's mercy be upon him, was granted great success (from Allāh i sele ti g the a d o pili g the . 1 I u e a le olle tio s of fo t hadīths ee composed before him and after him, and yet no olle tio of fo t hadīths had as u h a epta e a d e efit as I ā a -Nawawi's Fo ty Hadīths- may Allāh's e e upo hi . This is e ause he sele ted in it the most collective and concise from the speech of I ā a -Nawawi  said: It behooves every person wishing to attai the He eafte to k o these hadīths due to the important matters they contain and the directions they give in respect of all forms of obedience, this being obvious to anyone who has reflected upon it. The Fo ty Hadīths, p:16

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the Messenger , so much so that if a student of knowledge memorizes it perfectly and listens to its explanations from more than a scholar, he will have strong and solid religious foundation upon which he a esta lish his a īdah, o ship, a d i te a tio ith people.11 5- Make sure you learn the principles (usūl) and rules ( awā'id) pertaining to fiqh-related issues ( asā'il), and take note of everything related to that which you come across, for it is said:

Our shaykh Adur-Razā I A dul-Muhsin al-Badr - a Allāh p eserve him- said: I do not mind relating to you an experience I had with The Fo ty Hadīths. In one of the African countries where I stayed around 20 days, I started a lecture on The Fo ty Hadīths. A translator was available there, and the masjid was crowded with large attendance. There were a iolatio s i te s of a īdah, o ship, a e s, a d i te a tio s in this country where I was giving those lectures. I used to request some students of knowledge to inform me about the violations which existed in that ou t , e the do esti issues, i es, a īdah-related o uptio , i o atio s o othe si ila thi gs. So th ough I ā a Nawawi's The Fo ty Hadīths -may Allah's mercy be upon him- I used to address every issue I heard of in that country. I would address it without saying: There exists in your country such and such problem. I would rather say while explaining The Fo ty Hadīths: This t e e dous hadīth indicates that such and such thing is impermissible because of such and such proof, and I would clarify the proofs. Many of them used to come over to me and declare their repentance; others would come over to me and mention other violations which they said they wanted me to o e i the fo th o i g hadīths. E pla atio of a -Nawawi's The Forty Hadīth, Tape 1.

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Whoever is deprived of (the knowledge) of principles is deprived of attaining (knowledge).1

The shaykh  points to the rules ( awā'id) and puts emphasis on devoting attention to mastering them for they systematize knowledge for the student and bring together similar things and counterparts and remove any possible complexities or ambiguities because he will be able to refer (individual) issues back to these universal and comprehensive rules and principles. The scholars in different fields of religious knowledge have laid down principles. For instance, in the area of the Na es a d Att i utes of Allāh, the shaykh  himself wrote an extremely beneficial book to the students of knowledge, namely, Exemplary Principles Co e i g the Beautiful Na es of Allāh. Scholars have also written principles pertaining to tafsī , p inciples pertaining to fiqh, and principles in many other areas. These principles allow the student of knowledge to master knowledge systematically. The shaykh emphasized writing and note-taking. I recall having heard a quite funny and beneficial anecdote Al-'alla ah Muha ad I Sālih al-Utha ī  said: This means that he will not achieve his goal, and this is the reality. Explanation of Usūl fit-Tafsī , p:29 1

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from shaykh I Utha ī  which he narrated about himself. He said: We were reading to shaykh Ibn Sa'dī  in the backyard of the masjid, that is to say the open-air courtyard which is around the back of the masjid. We were reading to him while the shaykh was explaining. He continued: Birds flew by, so I lifted my eyes and kept looking at them and pursuing them (with my eyes). The shaykh Ibn Sa'di  caught sight of me and said to e: O Muha ad! Cat hi g k o ledge is ette tha at hi g i ds. The knowledge which one 'catches' has to be tied up just like a game, e.g. a bird or a deer. If it is not tied and bound, it flees and gets away. Knowledge is tied up by way of writing, for if you don't take note of it and write it down, you won't find it when you need it. Hence, the shaykh  stressed the point of writing down (of benefits).1

Shaykh Bakr Ibn Abdullah Abu Zaid  stated: Exert yourself in preserving knowledge by way of writing it, for recording knowledge by writing it is a safeguard from losing it and a shortcut to finding it when needed, particularly when it comes to knowledge-related issues which are not mentioned in their likely contexts. From its loftiest benefit is that when you are advancing in age and declining in strength, you will have at your disposal enough notes from which to draw materials to write about (e.g. a book) without the burden of researching and inquiring. (Hilyatu Talbil-Ilm, p:37)

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Sixthly and lastly, he stated: Discuss the points (you studied) with your shaykh or those in whose knowledge and religion you trust from ou pee s… Not all peers fit for that task. Peers are rather distinguished (and selected for that task) according to their knowledge, diligence and precision. Discuss the points (you studied) with your shaykh or those in whose knowledge and religion you trust from your peers, even though you imagine in your mind so eo e is o e si g ith ou ega di g the … Here is an interesting benefit. He said, imagine in your mind someone is conversing with you regarding the point under study. Then you start replying, and you envision his answer and reply to it. Even though you imagine in your mind someone is conversing with you regarding them if the discussion does not involve those mentioned. That is to say, a shaykh or a peer substituting him. This is the end of this beautiful, well-composed, e efi ial a d useful ad i e of this I ā , a Allāh the Exalted have mercy on him. I ask Allāh, the Ge e ous, Lo d of The Sup e e Th o e to cause us all to benefit from what He has taught us and to increase us in knowledge and to rectify our 32

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entire affair and not to entrust us to ourselves, not even for a blink of an eye, and to guide us to the straight path. He, Blessed and Glorified is He, is truly All-Hearer of invocation and the One most deserving of hope. Sufficient is He for us and He is the best Disposer of all affairs. By the way, a highly beneficial collection pertaining to shaykh I Utha ī as o piled i ot so ig volume 1 under the title of Book of Knowledge. The book comprises a wide miscellany of recommendations, instructions and fatawa which are of great benefit to the student of knowledge in respect of knowledge, the methodology of seeking it, and the manners which a student of knowledge should have, among other things. A d Allāh the E alted k o s est, a d a Allāh's peace and blessings be upon His slave and messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and his household and companions.

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