Learn! O’ Muslim, Learn!
Reading time: 23 - 38 minutes
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Learn! O’ Muslim, Learn!
All praise is due to Allaah and to Allaah alone. We praise Him, we seek His aid and we seek His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evils of our souls and from the evils of our actions. Indeed, whosoever Allaah guides, there is none who can misguide him. And whosoever Allaah leaves to go astray, there is none to guide. I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allaah, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad – peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him – is the slave and the seal of the Prophets and Messengers. May Allaah send peace upon him, his family, his companions and upon all those who follow his way.
To proceed,
Allaah says:
Allaah says:
And He, the Exalted says:
We have now spent just over a month and a half of the summer holidays, passing time, relaxing and resting. The new academic year is dawning upon us as we question ourselves, “from which of the two categories of people have we become during the summer holidays?” We should know – and may Allaah have mercy on us – that the summer holidays greets two types of people. The former being the people who travel on sinful journeys, removing the veil of modesty from their lives because of the abominable sins they commit without realising what they are doing. They engage their eyes in forbidden things, they waste their lives in what will only bring them regret and sorrow. This set of people only earn absolute loss, for they gained nothing of this world and increased not in the reward of the hereafter. They make not good use of their time, they fall victim to their whims as they befriend the evil, thus getting prepared for the misfortunes of death. And as for the latter, then they are people who spend their vacation in search of various kinds of knowledge because of their awareness that knowledge leads to happiness. They therefore exert their efforts in search of it and endure all difficulties in its cause and earn as a result increased excellent virtues. They are overshadowed by the light of obedience and worship and prefer the everlasting over the mortal. These are the pious, leaders of people on the Last Day.
Knowledge as a matter of fact is of different aspects and types; and the best of all areas of knowledge is the one through which one can have peace of mind and that is the knowledge derived from the Book of Allaah and the sunnah of His Prophet. No knowledge is better than the one that leads to guidance and protects from error and destruction. When the minds and conducts are protected and covered with religion and the belief is firmly rooted, deeds will become reformed.
Furthermore, knowledge cannot be attained except by trial and whoever fails to endure the ignominy associated with the search for knowledge will have to drink from the cup of ignorance all his life. Sincere intention is equally important. The student should always be sincere in seeking for knowledge and disseminating it while adopting the manners of the righteous predecessors who learn knowledge because of their love for it and for the purpose of putting it into practice. Allaah says:
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Munajjid said:
“Make use of the break to seek Islamic knowledge which is lacking in this university; uphold the ties of kinship which you have missed out on because you have been far away from your families; be active in calling your neighbours, relatives and kinsfolk to Islam, as you have missed out on that by being far away in the university residence.
Keep in touch with good people – “And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon” [al-Kahf 18:28 – interpretation of the meaning]. Do not lose touch with them during the break. It may be useful to take part in programs even if that is with other good people in the area to which you will go if you do not have any of the good people from the university to be with.
Beware of haraam things such as travelling to places of immorality or the lands of kufr, or watching haraam channels.
We ask Allaah to grant you and us strength.”
The summer is a time to witness an Islaamic awakening, a revival and an upbringing of learned knowledgeable slaves of Allaah. It is an occassion for Muslims to re-unite with their Islaamic identity that some of them denied, shunned and neglected throughout the academic year. This is the situation that Allaah describes:
The Muslim must water the blessed seed of knowledge in his heart, supervising it throughout its journey in order to extend the branches of understanding, love, fear and awareness. It is only through knowledge of the religion of Allaah does man attain beautification, noble manners, good behaviour, pious conduct and distinguishing characteristics of the people of Islaam. For knowledge is the most precious pearl in the crown of the purified sharee’ah, and it calls out for the believer to grasp and adorn himself with it.
What follows are books and audio files delivered by qualified teachers which the Muslim should try to study during the summer holidays. We urge every brother and sister to organise a revision study programme whereby he/she can strive to benefit, learn and understand his/her religion. Each science has with it a book explaining its ‘usool (principles and foundations) before dwelving into the furoo’ (the fruits of the topic). This is in accordance with the statement of Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen:
‘Aqeedah:
Explanation by Dr Saleh al-Saleh
Explanation by Ustaadh Abu Abdissalaam
Click HERE to purchase the explanation of this book by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen.
3) ‘Aqeedah al-Tahaaweeyyah by Imaam al-Tahaawee
Explanation by Ustaadh Shaqur Rahmaan
Read the english translation of the text HERE.
[There are many incorrect explanations of this book which are widely available across the internet. The Muslim must be careful with whom he puts his faith in and where he gets his knowledge from as such explanations are misleading and follow a foreign approach to the salaf al-saaliheen. Ustaadh Shaqur delivers a wonderful explanation of this book in accordance with the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger upon the understanding of the salaf al-saaliheen.]
6) ‘Aqeetatul Waasiteeyyah by Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyyah
7) ‘Aqeedatul Hamaaweeyyah by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
Explanation by Ustaadh Ali Tamimi: Explanation by Ustaadh Ali Tamimi
[Scroll down to find Sharh 'Aqeedatul Hamaaweeyyah]
Click HERE to download the book
Fiqh - Islaamic Jurisprudence:
8) Usool al-Fiqh
i) Usool al-Fiqh - The Science of Jurisprudence
Explanation by Ustaadh Ali Tamimi
ii) Basic Rulings & Principles of Fiqh by Imaam al-Sa’di
Explanation by Dr Saleh al-Saleh
[The Muslim should study both "Usool al-Fiqh - The Science of Jurisprudence" by Ustaadh Ali Tamimi and "Basic Rulings & Principles of Faith" by Dr Saleh al-Saleh. The former is concerning the science of fiqh; the masaa-il (issues) concerning which the ruling by one of the five rulings are sought & the dalaail (evidences) employed to extract and determine these masaa-il. The latter is concerning fiqh foundations and principles used in Usool al-Fiqh and thus they wonderfully complement each other]
9) Za’ad al-Ma’ad by Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyyah
Explanation by Shaykh Haitham al-Haddad - Every Tuesdays at 7:30pm in The Islamic Da’wah Centre, 398 High Street North, Manor Park, London, E12 6RH for FREE
Click HERE for videos of past lessons
Click HERE to download the book.
10) Kitaab al-Tahaarah - The Book of Purification
Explanation by Dr Saleh al-Saleh using Imaam al-Maqdisee’s ‘Umdatul Ahkaam
[Click HERE to view the book, "Tayseer al-'Allaam Sharh Umdatul Ahkaam," by Shaykh 'Abdullaah bin 'Abdul-Rahmaan al-Bassaam]
Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad Adly using Imaam Ibn Hajars Bulugh al-Muraam
11) Kitaab al-Salaah - The Book of Prayer
Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad Adly using Ibn Hajars Bulugh al-Muraam
12) Kitaab al-Zakaah - The Book of Zakaah
Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad Adly using Ibn Hajars Bulugh al-Muraam
13) Kitaab al-Siyaam - The Book of Fasting
Everything you need to know about Fasting by Dr Saleh al-Saleh
Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad Adly using Ibn Hajars Bulugh al-Muraam
14) Kitaab al-Hajj - The Book of Hajj
Hajj explained by Dr Saleh al-Saleh
Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad Adly using Ibn Hajars Bulugh al-Muraam
15) Kitaab al-Buyoo’ - The Book of Business Transactions
Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad Adly using Ibn Hajars Bulugh al-Muraam
Hadeeth:
Explanation by Ustaadh Yasser Qadhi - Usul al-Hadeeth [Beginners]
Explanation by Dr Saleh al-Saleh using Ibn Hajars Nukhbatul Fikr [Intermediate]
[Dr Saleh al-Saleh - may Allaah have mercy on him - passed away before the completion of this book. Please use the explanation of Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen below to complete the study of this science.]
[The Muslim can also read and study an excellent book on this very topic by Ustaadh Abu Ameenah Bilaal Phillips. The book can be downloaded HERE. Moreover, a wonderful PDF file has been compiled using the explanation of Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen. Click HERE to view this.]
17) Arba’een al-Nawawi (40 Hadeeth of Imaam al-Nawawi) by Imaam al-Nawawi
Explanation by Dr Saleh al-Saleh
Explanation by Ustaadh Abu Abdissalaam: Audio and Video
Click HERE to download the book
18) Umdatul Ahkaam by Imaam Taqeeyud-Deen ‘Abdul-Ghani bin ‘Abdul Waahis bin ‘Ali al-Maqdisee
19) Buloogh al-Muraam by al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani
Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad Adly
Click HERE to download the book
Qur’aan:
20) Memorisation of Qur’aan
Students are advised to begin with Juz ‘Amma, proceeding to Juz Tabaarak and then Surah al-Baqarah onwards. Students are also encouraged to perfect their tajweed along with memorisation. Tayyibun Insititute are from amongst the best and most reliable Institutes to offer such classes. Visit their website by clicking HERE.
21) Ulum al-Qur’aan & Usool al-Tafseer by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
Explanation by Dr Saleh al-Saleh based upon Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeens
[The Muslim can also read and study an excellent book on this very topic by Ustaadh Abu Ameenah Bilaal Phillips. The book can be downloaded HERE. Ustaadh Ahmad Von Denffer and Ustaadh Yasser Qadhi both do an excellent job in explaining this topic. Click HERE to purchase Ustaadh Ahmads book and HERE for Ustaadh Yassers.]
22) Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma
Explanation by Dr Saleh al-Saleh based upon Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen’s
Arabic Language:
23) The Madinah Series
Madinah Series Videos [Excellent For Learning Arabic]
[Tayyibun Institute are from amongst the forefront in thoroughly teach this series. Click HERE to visit their website.]
24) Bayna Yadayk
The Muslim should strive to study all sciences, taking care to understand the details of his religion. After memorising and studying a book properly, with its commentary, and having understood any difficult passages in it and understood the important points, then move on to studying the next books, which would be in a more detailed version. Each book in every science is listed in order of difficulty, a systematic order, beginning with books that are fairly easy and summarised, to books which are difficult, vast and more comprehensive.
Review what you have learnt, noting the valuable points, subtle issues, strange minor issues, solutions to problems and differences between similar rulings, in all branches of knowledge. Do not think little of anything useful that you learn or any basic principle that you understand; instead, hasten to note and memorise it. For knowledge is the key to understanding, a path that leads to Paradise. It was narrated that Qays ibn Katheer said: “A man came from Madeenah to Abu’l-Darda’ in Damascus and he said, ‘What brought you here, my brother?’ He said, ‘A hadeeth which I have heard that you narrate from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).’ He said, ‘Have you come for any other reason?’ He said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Have you come for trade?’ He said, ‘No. I have only come to seek this hadeeth.’ He said, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say,
“Whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allaah will make easy for him the path to Paradise. The angels beat their wings in approval of the seeker of knowledge, and those who are in the heavens and on earth pray for forgiveness for the scholar, even the fish in the water. The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over all other heavenly bodies. The scholars are the heirs of the Prophets, for the Prophets did not leave behind dinars or dirhams, rather they left behind knowledge, so whoever gains knowledge has gained great good fortune.’”
[Reported by al-Tirmidhee, 2606; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani]
Let your concern to seek knowledge be uppermost; do not be content to learn only a little when you are able to do more. Do not be content with a little of the legacy of the Prophets (may the blessings of Allaah be upon them), and do not delay learning anything that you can, or be distracted or put off by wishful thinking. Delay is a problem, and if you learn something now you can learn something else later.
Make the most of your time, when you are free and when you are busy. Make the most of your youth when your mind is fresh and you have less distractions, before you become distracted by false ambitions and the desire for worldly possessions.
O brothers and sisters in Islaam, sharpen the tip of your pencils, roll out the dusty scrolls from beneath your beds, seclude yourself with the books of the pious and embark upon the journey of learning your religion. And may Allaah grant us sincere knowledge that benefits, Aameen.
Steps Towards the Right Path of Understanding [Video]
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Part 01
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Part 02
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Part 03
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Part 04
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Part 05
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[...] in the summer holiday and suggestions for what you may learn about your religion inshaaAllaah: Learn! O’ Muslim, Learn! __________________ All praise be to [...]
MRDF hold Sabeel Courses for students to understand, study and learn the principles of the deen of Islaam. Since the study of principles and foundations paves the way for a better structured understanding of the sciences of Islaam (see introduction to Usool al-Tafseer by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen), we consider it pivotal that every student regularly attends the Sabeel Courses, especially those wishing to become a student of knowledge. To encourage brothers and sisters to enrol and sign up to these courses, the ISoc is offering 30% discount. This discount is only available to City University students and also applies for Tayyibun courses.
May Allaah enable us to make good use of our time, Aameen.
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum ya Grand Mufti…
MaashaAllaah you have sorted this post out beautifully. It looks amazing maashaAllaah. JazaakaAllaahu Khayran!
Ive done some research, could you upload the series “steps towards the right path of understanding” by Shaykh Haitham al-Haddad as the video. There are 5 videos so one after another will do good inshaAllaah. I think this particular talk, with such a topic, delivered by none other than Shaykh Haitham is the most ideal talk for such a knowledge tarbeeyyah post. Its a very important talk which is excellently delivered maashaAllaah. May Allaah reward the Shaykh greatly, Aameen.
Link is: http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=5775837175923447193&hl=en
Btw… I like the nasheed before the lecture. I think every video we make should begin with the same nasheed. What do you think?
wa ‘alaykumus salaam wa rahmatullaah,
we need someone to go over the mag … so check your email inshaaAllaah and also need some more info , its in the hotmail email. it’s important.
i will do this tomorrow inshaaAllaah.
as of now I am ‘787′
my color-coding is influencing the works of others on the net :D
JazakAllahu khairan for the excellent article and the videos, mashaAllah.
[...] it with the borthers and sisters here. Click on this link and it will take you to our isoc page: Learn! O’ Muslim, Learn! Now, the text and audio of each book is available or you can go to understand islam directly, but [...]
Asalamu alaikum
Ya Sheikh Madani, ive put this webpage on a forum just to let you know. I thought it beneficial for all to see this post inshallah.
jzk
[...] the title is a spoof of the Learn O’ Muslim Learn thread… (did you see that… advertisement… i bet you clicked the link right? if [...]