How to summarize and take notes

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

Learning the ways shared by the scholars can save one thousands of hours.

Not writing on the book itself?#

Sheikh Al Haqqan heavily emphasized to get the physical copy of the book(or a soft copy printout incase of unavailability). This is very crucial for the student of knowledge.

Many students do not write in the book. Some intend to sell it later and write things on thier notebooks. Sheikh Al Haqqan said:

You don't write in the book, so that you can sell it? This is Ilm! Write on it and do not sell it. Notebooks are seperate and can get lost.

Sheikh Al Haqqan saw the books of Sheikh Hisham At Tahiri. What was written on the book sometimes looked more than the book itself, subhanAllah.

In 2 years, you will say "Alhamdulillah! I have written this!"

Sheikh Al Haqqan looked for multiple explanations from different scholars for a single book and noted it all down in it. We need to understand that a physical book is precious. You might put 300 hours in this book! It could be 1 book - 500 pages - 5 explanations from different scholars! and 1 book - 500 pages - 5 explanations is not equal to mantaining different notebooks. You open the book and you will find everything in front of your eyes. Notebooks generally tend to get lost and you lose track of them.

Sheikh A asked a scholar, "Do we need to make a seperate notebook"? He said:

"My son, these are summaries (the notes you make). Why spend extra time? Just write them inside the book!"

Using Marks and Signs (with Examples)#

Sheikh Al Haqqan said writing notes, putting marks, underlines and signs, this is also summarizing. This is a form of summarization.

Examples usage of symbols:

• → (arrow) = Whole Paragraph
• _ (underline) = Parts of Paragraph
• "" - doube qoutes = Parts of Paragraph
• () - brackets = Parts of Paragraph
• MR = Must Read

Beginning of the book: You can write code words for scholar's names.

• Eg: Sh A = Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan
• Eg: Sh H = Sheikh Hisham At Tahiri
• Eg: Sh R = Sheikh Sulayman Bin Saleemullah Ar Ruhayli You can use different pen colors for different explanations of the scholars!

Folded Pages also help in segregation.

Electronics#

Sheikh Abdullah Al Shahaby taught Sheikh Al Haqqan on how to use digital apps to make notes. Sheikh Al Haqqan uses Samsung Notes. It has synchronization and book marks feature. Because printing can become a hassle at times. And we should utilize the technology, as at times, writing the whole page will take you 10 mins. But copy and paste will take less than 10 seconds.

How can I find space inside a book to make notes?#

Use the empty spaces inside the book! Put the number and write in detail in the available white spaces. The margins across the page can be utilized well.

Ahlul Ilm start writing in the first few empty pages, they sometimes mantain like an index. They write in the end of the book as well in the empty pages.

You want to make notes? You need to put efforts! For example, when you record a hadeeth and it is mentioned "صَحَّحَهُ الأَلْبَانِيُّ", Write it down. Because hen you open back your notes -> This will serve as a very easy access. ==You studying it right now = Preparing it for revision. Studying now is less than or equal to (<=) 5% retention.== You can revise pages in seconds if you have proper notes.

Taking Print of a Book#

When taking print outs of a book, add a blank page between the pages. This blank page shall give you more space to write in notes while you study the book. So Print the book for Matn + Free Page. Make it sprial binding, it will last more in sha Allah.

Transcriptions#

Sometimes there are transcriptions available, utilize them. You will also find Telegram channels giving the transcriptions of different scholars.

Use A Ball Point Pen, Pencil Fades Away#

Pencil might fade away after 10 years.

Notes preserve and allows you to revist#

There can be gatherings where things are not recorded and saved. If you had taken notes, the knowledge can be revisited.

Mufti of Saudi Arabia doing QA session while admitted at the hospital#

These are the scholars ya ikhwan! Read More on this: https://zeeshanibnali.com/islamic/sheikh-abdul-azeez-aal-asheikh-in-hospital