The Day of a Student of Knowledge
Lecture by Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan, May Allah preserve him.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Do not obsess yourself with "Quality"!
Sheikh Hisham was seen recording answer in his car and then it gets uploaded as a video. Student of Knowledge does not obsesses over "Quality" alone. He pays attention to the Knowledge! We see it many times, old mashayikh and the new mashayikh do not have the best quality always (in their voice recordings, etc).
Q. How do we balance between "Learning Arabic" and "Learning Foundational Books"?
You must attend classes and read. Seeking knowledge is the "Top Priority". Even if some Ahlul Ilm say to Learn Arabic. Or some say memorize the whole Quran. The Ahlul Ilm mention this in a context.
The thing is, the three go hand in hand.
- Memorizing Quran
- Memorizing Sunnah
- Seeking Knowledge [This has to be the Lion's share]
Lion's share meaning it takes the most part of your time.
Because in reality we are not doing philosophy! Seeking knowledge is all Quran and Sunnah. For eg: See Aqeedah Al Wasitiyyah, it is filled with aayaat! And you cannot memorize the Quran without memorizing the Hadeeth (you will need ahadeeth for understanding the ayaat).
Q. What to do when you have work and jobs?
- Start your day with the Quran. Cannot read? Play an audio. You can choose a Qari or use your own voice recording. Recommendation of Sheikh Hisham At Tahiri: Record yourself
- You get a break in your work?
30 mins or 1 hour? -> Listen to a Lecture Keep 30 mins for food and 30 mins for lecture can be reserved.
- a. Make notes and write things down in the break.
- b. If you can do reading only? Use for eg, Sheik Salih Al Fawzan's Sharh of Aqeedah Al Wasitiyyah. Sheiokh Ibn Uthaymeen's Sharh of Aqeedah Al Wasitiyyah is not recommended for beginners.
- c. Cannot read or write? -> Listen to QnA (For eg, Sheikh Salih Al Fawzan's QnA playlist or Sheikh Aziz Farhan's)
- d. Or you can just listen to the lesson you will be studying so that you understand 10 - 20% of it. It will help you get the gist of it.
Repetetive listening eases memorizing
Revise your notes until you say without looking at them. You memorized a part of Quran? Keep listening to it constantly in order to revise it.
Importance of having a schedule
After Work, when you are done with meal and shower for example - and have dedicated 4 PM to 6 PM for relaxation. Maybe reserve Maghrib to Isha - 1 hour as your study time everyday. Before sleeping - reserve time to revise the Quran. Wekeends can be Revision + Arabic Learning. No schedule -> You will acheive only 30% in comparision to someone who has a schedule. If you are very conjusted -> One day for seeking knowledge + One day Arabic + Quran daily
Take the help of Family Members and recite to them
When Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan was memorizing Bayquniyah, his wife used to listen him while they were travelling in the car.
Make notes and share with students.
This can be beneficial.
Q. Is Salah valid if Jama'ah is in different parts of the masjid seperated by walls?
Yes.
Q. What if you study consistently and get self amazement?
Think about it, those with knowledge called themselves what?
Sheikh Salih AL Fawzan said "I am from the lowest! Ibn Baz has Ilm, I don't!".
Major scholars do not like to give Fatwa
Sheih Abdur Razzaq Al Badr dosen't want to answer Questions.
Sheikh Al Haqqan reached out to Sheikh Abdus Salam Ash Shuwayir and said "I will tanslate your answers Sheikh". He said "No, those who know me, know that I do not like to answer questions".
Why does Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan answer questions?
The thing is his situation is different. Sheikh Al Badr for example has the Mufti of Madinah and likewise the other shuyookh. But Sheikh Al Haqqan is in a different situation.
Sheikh Al Haqqan hates answering questions. Sheikh Hisham said to Sheikh Al Haqqan: "Look at the question, look at what the senior scholars said, and apply it to the situation. If you do not know, ask those who know.".
Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan asked the President of Jamiah Islamiyah as well. He said: "I am afraid you are a sinner if you do not answer."
Seeking Knowledge requires patience?
You want to become a doctor, how many years are required? A common path is:
- Primary school: 6 years
- Middle school: 3 years
- High school: 3 years
- Medical school: 5–7 years
- Internship: 1 year
- Residency/specialty training: 3–7 years That is around more than 15 years! Imagine Knowledge of your religion? And Islamic Knowledge is more in weight! Ofcourse it is going to take time!
What books does Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan generally recommend?
Sheikh Salih AL Fawzan's and Sheikh Ibn Uthaymneen's.
Busy yourself with yourself and staying away from Extremism!
Seeking knowledge serves as a constant reminder. Occupuy yourself with yourself. When dealing with indivisuals and debates, know that you do not have knowledge, wisdom and patience in dealing with such debates.
Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan said: "If Suhail was in Kuwait! I would have been all the time with him!".
Spending time with children
If you close a door (stop them that which is not good), open another one for them (something good they can do as an alternative).
Playing with children? you will get rewarded! (Eg: Halal Board Games and Software Games) Just because you are doing somehting with them, they remember you, and you become a source of religion due to it.
Q. Inconsistent schedule due to Travelling? If things keep changing => First thing in the morning you do is "Schedule your time"! Ask yourself questions: "How do I revise?", "How do you seek knowledge?", etc. Sheikh Hisham At Tahiri said "If this does not come to your mind (the first thing when you wake up in the morning), then do not call yourself a student of knowledge!". Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan's wife at times thinks he is thinking about some family visits, but in reality he is thinking about buying a book.
Sheikh Abdul Azeez Al Haqqan said "You need to spend thousands of hours to become that candle".
Bringing the works of Arabic to English Speaking indivisuals
Sheikh Al Haqqan tries to bring what is in Arabic to English. Very rare to find the English Dawah Scene, kind of Non existential.
Methedology in regards to the sittings of the scholars
Do not cut off sitting with the Mashayikh. Can be good for Arabic.
It can be hindrance at times as well! Do what is more fruitful! Pick and chose Lessons. Not necassarily sit in that lesson because it is your sheikh teaching. For example, if one sheikh is teaching a book at a level that you have already done, and another sheikh has come from a different place, and he is going to be teaching some advanced level of Kitab At Tawheed, then go and attend the one that benefits you. (Ofcourse you need to be capable of understanding, take knowledge that which you can swallow).
Methedology in regards to Roll Calls
20-30 mins Quran Memorization is not equal to Roll call. Indeed we can spend 30 mins atleast. Sheikh Al Haqqan has spent 8-10 hrs a day seeking knowledge. May Allah presere him.