Our master Shaykh al-Islām Burhān al-Dīn, may Allah have mercy on him, would fix the start of the daily lesson on Wednesday; he would relate a hadith to that effect, infer from it, and say: the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whatever undertaking is begun on Wednesday is brought to completion.” That is what my father (Abū Ḥanīfa), too, would do.
I heard from someone I trust that Shaykh Yūsuf al-Hamadhānī, may Allah have mercy on him, would time every good work to begin on Wednesday — because Wednesday was the day on which light was created, and an ill-omened day for unbelievers, so it becomes blessed for believers.
As for how much lesson to take when beginning: Abū Ḥanīfa, may Allah have mercy on him, related from Shaykh the judge, Imām ʿUmar ibn Abī Bakr al-Zaranjī, may Allah have mercy on him, that he said: Our shaykhs, may Allah have mercy on them, said: A beginner's lesson should be only as much as he can master with two gentle repetitions, increasing by a word each day — so that even when it grows long, two repetitions still suffice, adding gently by gentle steps. But if the opening lesson is so long that it needs ten repetitions, at the end of study it will be the same, for he will have grown used to that and will not drop those repetitions without great effort. And it is said: The lesson is one letter; repetition, a thousand.
Begin with what sits nearest understanding. Sharaf al-Dīn al-ʿUqaylī, may Allah have mercy on him, would say: What our shaykhs did is right — they chose al-Mabsūṭ's shorter sections for beginners, closer to grasp and mastery, farther from weariness, and more practically useful among people.
A student must not write what he does not understand — it dulls natural aptitude, blunts sharpness, and wastes his hours.
Ruling75
وَيَنْبَغِيand it is properContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيُجْتَهِدَone striveContextual glossفِيinContextual glossالْفَهْمِthe understandingContextual glossعَنِfromContextual glossالْأُسْتَاذِthe teacherContextual glossبِالتَّأَمُّلِby reflectionContextual glossوَبِالتَّفَكُّرِand by thinkingContextual glossوَكَثْرَةِand abundance (of)Contextual glossالتَّكْرَارِ،the repetitionContextual glossفَإِنَّهُfor indeed whenContextual glossإذَاwhenContextual glossقَلَّwas littleContextual glossالسَّبَقُthe lessonContextual glossوَكَثُرَand increasedContextual glossالتَّكْرَارُthe repetitionContextual glossوَالتَّأَمُّلُand the reflectionContextual glossيُدْرَكُit is graspedContextual glossوَيُفْهَمُ.and understoodContextual gloss
Strive to grasp the teacher's meaning through reflection, thought, and abundant repetition — when the new material stays brief and repetition and pondering increase, you will comprehend.
If one slights understanding and does not labour at it once or twice, it becomes a habit and even simple speech grows opaque — so never treat understanding lightly: strive, beseech Allah, and call on Him; He answers who calls and never disappoints who hopes.
[Intro:] Our eminent master Qawām al-Dīn Ḥammād ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Ismāʿīl al-Ṣaffār al-Anṣārī dictated for the judge al-Khalīl ibn Aḥmad al-Shajarī these verses: / Serve knowledge as the true seeker serves it / and keep his lesson noble in deed. / When you memorise something, repeat it, / then stress it to the utmost. / So it does not slip; then peg it to return / to it and to the lesson for good. / When you fear forgetting it, / move on afterward to something fresh / while repeating what came before / and acquiring still more besides. / Remind people of the sciences and live — / do not stand far from those who counsel best. / If you hoard knowledge you are erased until / you see none but the ignorant and slow. / Then in the Hereafter you are seized by Fire / and consumed by fierce torment.
Debate, revision, and tossing questions back and forth are unavoidable — each should proceed with fairness, patience, and reflection; avoid commotion and rage, for disputation is mutual consultation aiming at truth, which reflection, calm, and justice achieve, not anger or rowdiness.
Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā, when a difficulty was put to him and the answer did not come to mind, would say: I have not forced him to accept a binding proof; I am still examining — and above every knower is an All-Knowing.
In the verse al-Khalīl ibn Aḥmad mentioned it is said: / True service of knowledge binds you / to make all people your attendants (in good).
Ruling83
وَيَنْبَغِيand it is properContextual glossلِطَالِبِfor seeker (of)Contextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيَكُونَhe beContextual glossمُتَأَمِّلًاone who reflectsContextual glossفِيinContextual glossجَمِيعِallContextual glossالْأَوْقَاتِthe timesContextual glossفِيinContextual glossدَقَائِقِsubtleties (of)Contextual glossالْعُلُومِthe sciencesContextual glossوَيَعْتَادَand he makes habitContextual glossذَلِكَ،of thatContextual glossفَإِنَّمَاfor onlyContextual glossيُدْرَكُare reachedContextual glossالدَّقَائِقُthe subtletiesContextual glossبِالتَّأَمُّلِ،by reflectionContextual glossفَلِهَذَاso for thisContextual glossقِيلَ:it was saidContextual glossتَأَمَّلْreflect!Contextual glossتُدْرِكْ.you will graspContextual gloss
The seeker should constantly ponder subtleties of the sciences — subtleties are reached only by reflection, hence the saying: Reflect, and you will grasp.
A poet said: / I enjoin you, arranging speech, with five matters — / if you obey the caring counselor: / do not neglect speech's cause, its occasion, / its how, its how much, and where altogether.
Hadith25
وَيَكُونُand he should beContextual glossمُسْتَفِيدًاone who benefitsContextual glossفِيinContextual glossجَمِيعِallContextual glossالْأَوْقَاتِthe timesContextual glossوَالْأَحْوَالِand the statesContextual glossمِنْfromContextual glossجَمِيعِallContextual glossالْأَشْخَاصِthe personsContextual glossقَالَsaidContextual glossرَسُولُMessenger (of)Contextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossصَلَّىblessings of AllahContextual glossاللهُAllahContextual glossعَلَيْهِupon himContextual glossوَسَلَّمَ:and peaceContextual glossالْحِكْمَةُthe wisdomContextual glossضَالَّةُlost property (of)Contextual glossالْمُؤْمِنِthe believerContextual glossأَيْنَمَاwhereverContextual glossوَجَدَهَاhe finds itContextual glossأَخَذَهَا.he takes itContextual gloss
Profit at every moment and state from every person may be drawn. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Wisdom is the believer's stray camel — wherever he finds it he takes it.
Saying26
وَقِيلَ:and it was saidContextual glossخُذْtake!Contextual glossمَاwhatContextual glossصَفَا،is clearContextual glossوَدَعْand leaveContextual glossمَاwhatContextual glossكَدُرَ.is turbidContextual gloss
It is said: Take what is clear; leave what is turbid.
I heard Imām Fakhr al-Dīn al-Kāshānī say: Abū Yūsuf's slave-girl had been left in trust with Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan. He asked her: Do you retain anything of Abū Yūsuf's jurisprudence? She said no — except he kept repeating, “The lottery-arrow falls short,” and he benefited from her words; the problem had vexed Muḥammad until that phrase cleared it. Thus he learned benefit may reach you from anyone.
Scholar quote28
وَلِهَذَاand for thisContextual glossقَالَsaidContextual glossأَبُوAbuContextual glossيُوسُفَYusufContextual glossحِينَwhenContextual glossقِيلَ:it was saidContextual glossبِمَby whatContextual glossأَدْرَكْتَdid you attainContextual glossالْعِلْمَ؟the knowledgeContextual glossقَالَ:he saidContextual glossمَاnotContextual glossاسْتَنْكَفْتُI disdainedContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossالِاسْتِفَادَةِthe benefitingContextual glossمِنْfromContextual glossكُلِّeveryContextual glossأَحَدٍoneContextual glossوَمَاand notContextual glossبَخِلْتُI was stingyContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossالْإِفَادَةِ.the teaching/benefiting othersContextual gloss
Hence when Abū Yūsuf was asked how he attained knowledge, he replied: I never disdained to learn from anyone, nor was I stingy in teaching others.
Anecdote29
وَقِيلَand it was saidContextual glossلِابْنِto IbnContextual glossعَبَّاسٍAbbasContextual glossرَحِمَهُmay mercy himContextual glossاللهُ:AllahContextual glossبِمَby whatContextual glossأَدْرَكْتَdid you attainContextual glossالْعِلْمَ؟the knowledgeContextual glossقَالَ:he saidContextual glossبِلِسَانٍwith a tongueContextual glossسَئُولٍ،questioningContextual glossوَقَلْبٍand a heartContextual glossعَقُولٍ.understandingContextual gloss
Ibn ʿAbbās, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked how he attained knowledge. He said: With a tongue that asks and a heart that understands.
Ruling85
وَإِنَّمَاand onlyContextual glossسُمِّيَwas namedContextual glossطَالِبَseeker (of)Contextual glossالْعِلْمِ:the knowledgeContextual glossمَاwhatContextual glossتَقُولُ،do you sayContextual glossلِكَثْرَةِdue to abundance (of)Contextual glossمَاwhatContextual glossكَانُواthey used toContextual glossيَقُولُونَthey would sayContextual glossفِيinContextual glossالزَّمَانِthe timeContextual glossالْأَوَّلِ:the first/earlyContextual glossمَاwhatContextual glossتَقُولُdo you sayContextual glossفِيinContextual glossهَذِهِthisContextual glossالْمَسْأَلَةِ؟.the issueContextual gloss
Hence the student of knowledge was nicknamed “What do you say?” — from how often in early times people would ask, “What do you say about this question?”
Abū Ḥanīfa, may Allah have mercy on him, gained fiqh through abundant drilling and revision in his shop while he was a cloth trader.
Ruling87
فَبِهَذَاso by thisContextual glossيَعْلَمُone knowsContextual glossأَنَّthatContextual glossتَحْصِيلَattainingContextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossوَالْفِقْهِand the fiqhContextual glossيَجْتَمِعُcan combineContextual glossمَعَwithContextual glossالْكَسْبِ.the earningContextual gloss
This shows that earning a living and acquiring deep fiqh can go together.
Anecdote33
وَكَانَand wasContextual glossأَبُوAbūContextual glossحَفْصٍḤafṣContextual glossالْكَبِيرُthe ElderContextual glossيَكْتَسِبُearning a livelihoodContextual glossوَيُكَرِّرُand repeatingContextual glossالْعُلُومَ،the sciencesContextual glossفَإِنْso ifContextual glossكَانَit wasContextual glossلَاnotContextual glossبُدَّunavoidableContextual glossلِطَالِبِfor the student ofContextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossالْكَسْبِthe earningContextual glossلِنَفَقَةِfor the provision ofContextual glossالْعِيَالِthe householdContextual glossوَغَيْرِهِand other than itContextual glossفَلْيَكْتَسِبْlet him earnContextual glossوَلْيُكَرِّرْand let him reviewContextual glossوَلْيُذَاكِرْand let him discussContextual glossوَلَاand notContextual glossيَكْسَلْ.be idleContextual gloss
Abū Ḥafṣ the Elder would work and still review the sciences — so if a student must earn for his household, let him work, review, debate, and never grow idle.
Sound mind and body excuse no one from learning fiqh — none was poorer than Abū Yūsuf, yet poverty never blocked him. Wealth, when spent rightly on acquiring knowledge, is excellent for the righteous man.
Anecdote35
قِيلَit was saidContextual glossلِعَالِمٍ:to a scholarContextual glossبِمَby whatContextual glossأَدْرَكْتَdid you attainContextual glossالْعِلْمَ؟the knowledgeContextual glossقَالَ:he saidContextual glossبِأَبٍthrough a fatherContextual glossغَنِيٍّ.wealthyContextual glossلِأَنَّهُbecause heContextual glossكَانَwasContextual glossيَنْتَفِعُbenefitingContextual glossبِهِfrom himContextual glossأَهْلُthe people ofContextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossوَالْفَضْلِ،and the virtueContextual glossفَإِنَّهُfor indeed itContextual glossسَبَبُis a cause ofContextual glossزِيَادَةِincrease ofContextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossلِأَنَّهُbecause itContextual glossشُكْرٌis gratitudeContextual glossعَلَىuponContextual glossنِعْمَةِthe blessing ofContextual glossالْعَقْلِthe intellectContextual glossوَالْعِلْمِ،and the knowledgeContextual glossوَإِنَّهُand indeed itContextual glossسَبَبُis a cause ofContextual glossالزِّيَادَةِ.the increaseContextual gloss
A scholar was asked how he attained knowledge. He said: Through a wealthy father — scholars and men of virtue benefited from him; that gratitude for intellect and knowledge becomes a cause of increase.
Scholar quote36
قِيلَ:it is saidContextual glossقَالَsaidContextual glossأَبُوAbūContextual glossحَنِيفَةَḤanīfaContextual glossرَحِمَهُmay He have mercyContextual glossاللهُ:AllahContextual glossإِنَّمَاonlyContextual glossأَدْرَكْتُI attainedContextual glossالْعِلْمَthe knowledgeContextual glossبِالْحَمْدِthrough the praiseContextual glossوَالشُّكْرِ،and the gratitudeContextual glossفَكُلَّمَاso wheneverContextual glossفَهِمْتُI understoodContextual glossوَوُفِّقْتُand was granted successContextual glossعَلَىuponContextual glossفِقْهٍa point of fiqhContextual glossوَحِكْمَةٍand a wisdomContextual glossقُلْتُ:I saidContextual glossالْحَمْدُthe praiseContextual glossلِلَّهِ،to AllahContextual glossفَازْدَادَso increasedContextual glossعِلْمِي.my knowledgeContextual gloss
It is said Abū Ḥanīfa, may Allah have mercy on him, declared: I attained knowledge through praise and gratitude — whenever I understood and was granted fiqh or wisdom I said al-ḥamdu lillāh, and my knowledge grew.
Ruling89
وَهَكَذَاand likewiseContextual glossيَنْبَغِيit is fittingContextual glossلِطَالِبِfor the student ofContextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيَشْتَغِلَhe be occupiedContextual glossبِالشُّكْرِwith the gratitudeContextual glossبِاللِّسَانِby the tongueContextual glossوَالْجِنَانِand the heartsContextual glossوَالْأَرْكَانِand the limbsContextual glossوَالْحَالِand the stateContextual glossوَيَرَىand he seesContextual glossالْفَهْمَthe understandingContextual glossوَالْعِلْمَand the knowledgeContextual glossوَالتَّوْفِيقَand the successContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossتَعَالَىMost HighContextual glossوَيَطْلُبُand he seeksContextual glossالْهِدَايَةَthe guidanceContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossتَعَالَىMost HighContextual glossبِالدُّعَاءِby supplicationContextual glossلَهُto HimContextual glossوَالتَّضَرُّعِand humble entreatyContextual glossإلَيْهِ،to HimContextual glossفَإِنَّfor indeedContextual glossاللهَAllahContextual glossتَعَالَىMost HighContextual glossهَادٍa guideContextual glossمَنِwhoeverContextual glossاسْتَهْدَاهُ.seeks guidance from HimContextual gloss
So the student should busy himself with thanks by tongue, heart, limbs, and state; see understanding, knowledge, and success as from Allah; beg Him for guidance — Allah guides whoever seeks to be guided.
Ruling90
فَأَهْلُso the people ofContextual glossالْحَقِّthe truthContextual glossـ—Contextual glossوَهُمْand they areContextual glossأَهْلُthe people ofContextual glossالسُّنَّةِthe SunnaContextual glossوَالْجَمَاعَةِand the congregationContextual glossـ—Contextual glossطَلَبُواthey soughtContextual glossالْحَقَّthe truthContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossتَعَالَى،Most HighContextual glossالْحَقَّthe truthContextual glossالْمُبِينَthe manifestContextual glossالْهَادِيَthe guidingContextual glossالْعَاصِمَ،the protectingContextual glossفَهَدَاهُمُso He guided themContextual glossاللهُAllahContextual glossوَعَصَمَهُمْand He protected themContextual glossعَنِfromContextual glossالضَّلَالَةِ.the misguidanceContextual glossوَأَهْلُand the people ofContextual glossالضَّلَالَةِthe misguidanceContextual glossأَعْجَبُواwere dazzledContextual glossبِرَأْيِهِمْby their own opinionContextual glossوَعَقْلِهِمْand their intellectContextual glossوَطَلَبُواand they soughtContextual glossالْحَقَّthe truthContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossالْمَخْلُوقِthe createdContextual glossالْعَاجِزِthe incapableContextual glossوَهُوَand it isContextual glossالْعَقْلُ،the intellectContextual glossلِأَنَّbecauseContextual glossالْعَقْلَthe intellectContextual glossلَاnotContextual glossيَدْرِكُcan perceiveContextual glossجَمِيعَallContextual glossالْأَشْيَاءِthe thingsContextual glossكَالْبَصَرِ،like the eyesightContextual glossفَإِنَّهُfor indeed itContextual glossلَاnotContextual glossيُبْصِرُcan seeContextual glossجَمِيعَallContextual glossالْأَشْيَاءِthe thingsContextual glossفَحُجِبُواso they were veiledContextual glossوَعَجَزُواand were incapableContextual glossعَنْofContextual glossمَعْرِفَتِهِ،knowing HimContextual glossوَضَلُّواand they went astrayContextual glossوَأَضَلُّوا.and led others astrayContextual gloss
People of truth — the people of Sunna and congregation — sought the clear, guiding, protecting truth from Allah, and He guided them and guarded them from error. People of misguidance were dazzled by their own opinions and intellects and sought truth from the feeble creature called “reason,” yet reason cannot encompass everything any more than the eye sees everything — so they were veiled, failed to know Him, went astray, and led others astray.
Hadith39
قَالَsaidContextual glossرَسُولُthe Messenger ofContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossصَلَّىmay Allah blessContextual glossاللهُAllahContextual glossعَلَيْهِupon himContextual glossوَسَلَّمَ:and give peaceContextual glossالْغَافِلُthe heedless oneContextual glossمَنْis the one whoContextual glossعَمِلَactsContextual glossبِغَفْلَتِهِ،by his heedlessnessContextual glossوَالْعَاقِلُand the rational oneContextual glossمَنْis the one whoContextual glossعَمِلَactsContextual glossبِعَقْلِهِ.by his reasonContextual glossفَالْعَمَلُso the actionContextual glossبِالْعَقْلِby the reasonContextual glossأَوَّلًا:firstContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيَعْرِفَhe knowsContextual glossعَجْزَthe incapacity ofContextual glossنَفْسِهِhis selfContextual glossقَالَsaidContextual glossرَسُولُthe Messenger ofContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossصَلَّىmay Allah blessContextual glossاللهُAllahContextual glossعَلَيْهِupon himContextual glossوَسَلَّمَ:and give peaceContextual glossمَنْwhoeverContextual glossعَرَفَknewContextual glossنَفْسَهُhis selfContextual glossفَقَدْthen indeedContextual glossعَرَفَhe has knownContextual glossرَبَّهُ،his LordContextual glossفَإِذَاso whenContextual glossعَرَفَhe knewContextual glossعَجْزَthe incapacity ofContextual glossنَفْسِهِhis selfContextual glossعَرَفَhe knewContextual glossقُدْرَةَthe power ofContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossعَزَّMightyContextual glossوَجَلَّ،and MajesticContextual glossوَلَاand notContextual glossيَعْتَمِدُhe reliesContextual glossعَلَىuponContextual glossنَفْسِهِhis selfContextual glossوَعَقْلِهِand his reasonContextual glossبَلْratherContextual glossيَتَوَكَّلُhe puts trustContextual glossعَلَىuponContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossوَيَطْلُبُand he seeksContextual glossالْحَقَّthe truthContextual glossمِنْهُ.from HimContextual glossوَمَنْand whoeverContextual glossيَتَوَكَّلْputs trustContextual glossعَلَىuponContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossفَهُوَthen He isContextual glossحَسْبُهُsufficient for himContextual glossوَيَهْدِيهِand He guides himContextual glossإلَىtoContextual glossصِرَاطٍa pathContextual glossمُسْتَقِيمٍ.straightContextual gloss
The Messenger ﷺ said: The heedless act by heedlessness; the rational act by reason. Reason begins with knowing one's limits: “Whoever knows himself knows his Lord.” Knowing weakness means knowing Allah's power — rely not on self; trust Allah and seek truth from Him. Whoever trusts Allah, He is enough and guides him to a straight path.
Ruling91
وَمَنْand whoeverContextual glossكَانَhasContextual glossلَهُfor himContextual glossمَالٌwealthContextual glossكَثِيرٌabundantContextual glossفَلَاso let him notContextual glossيَبْخَلْ،be stingyContextual glossوَيَنْبَغِيand it is fittingContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيَتَعَوَّذَhe seek refugeContextual glossبِاللهِwith AllahContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossالْبُخْلِ.stinginessContextual gloss
Whoever has ample wealth must not hoard; he should seek Allah's refuge from stinginess.
The Prophet ﷺ said: Nothing is a remedy farther removed (from cure) than stinginess — or: nothing harms like stinginess.
Anecdote42
وَكَانَand wasContextual glossأَبُوthe father ofContextual glossالشَّيْخِthe shaykhContextual glossالْإِمَامِthe imāmContextual glossالْأَجَلِّthe most nobleContextual glossشَمْسُthe Sun ofContextual glossالْأَئِمَّةِthe ImāmsContextual glossالْحُلْوَانِيُّal-ḤulwānīContextual glossرَحِمَهُmay He have mercyContextual glossاللهُAllahContextual glossفَقِيرًاpoorContextual glossيَبِيعُsellingContextual glossالْحَلْوَاءَ،the sweetsContextual glossوَكَانَand wasContextual glossيُعْطِيhe givesContextual glossالْفُقَهَاءَthe juristsContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossالْحَلْوَاءِthe sweetsContextual glossوَيَقُولُ:and he saysContextual glossأَدْعُواpray (pl.)Contextual glossلِابْنِي،for my sonContextual glossفَبِبَرَكَةِso by the blessing ofContextual glossجُودِهِhis generosityContextual glossوَاعْتِقَادِهِand his faithContextual glossوَشَفَقَتِهِand his compassionContextual glossوَتَضَرُّعِهِand his supplicationContextual glossإلَىtoContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossتَعَالَىMost HighContextual glossنَالَattainedContextual glossابْنُهُhis sonContextual glossمَاwhatContextual glossنَالَ.he attainedContextual gloss
Our shaykh's father — Imām Shams al-Aʾimma al-Ḥulwānī — was poor, selling sweets; he would give jurists sweetmeats, saying, “Pray for my son,” and by the blessing of his generosity, faithfulness, compassion, and supplication his son attained what he attained.
Ruling92
وَيُشْتَرَىand are boughtContextual glossبِالْمَالِwith the wealthContextual glossالْكُتُبُthe booksContextual glossوَيُسْتَكْتَبُand are copiedContextual glossفَيَكُونُso it becomesContextual glossعَوْنًاan aidContextual glossعَلَىuponContextual glossالتَّعَلُّمِthe learningContextual glossوَالتَّفَقُّهِ.and the fiqhContextual gloss
Spend money on books and fair copying; that aids learning and fiqh.
Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan once owned vast wealth — three hundred agents — and poured it all into knowledge; he had no fine robe left. When Abū Yūsuf saw him in patchwork clothes he sent rich garments, but Muḥammad refused, saying, “You rush ahead, we await the Hereafter” — perhaps, although accepting gifts is sunna, he saw self-humiliation in it.
Hadith45
قَالَsaidContextual glossرَسُولُthe Messenger ofContextual glossاللهِAllahContextual glossعَلَيْهِupon himContextual glossالصَّلَاةُthe prayerContextual glossوَالسَّلَامُ:and the peaceContextual glossلَيْسَit is notContextual glossلِلْمُؤْمِنِfor the believerContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيُذِلَّhe humiliateContextual glossنَفْسَهُ.his selfContextual gloss
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: It is not for the believer to humiliate himself.
Anecdote46
وَحُكِيَand it was relatedContextual glossأَنَّthatContextual glossالشَّيْخَthe shaykhContextual glossفَخْرَthe glory ofContextual glossالْإِسْلَامِIslamContextual glossالْأَرْسَابَنْدِيَّal-ArsābandīContextual glossرَحِمَهُmay He have mercyContextual glossاللهُAllahContextual glossجَمَعَgatheredContextual glossقِشْرَrinds ofContextual glossبَطِّيخٍwatermelonContextual glossمَلْقًىdiscardedContextual glossفِيinContextual glossمَكَانٍa placeContextual glossخَالٍemptyContextual glossفَأَكَلَهَاso he ate themContextual glossفَرَأَتْهُso saw himContextual glossجَارِيَةٌa servant-girlContextual glossفَأَخْبَرَتْso she informedContextual glossبِذَلِكَof thatContextual glossمَوْلَاهَاher masterContextual glossفَاتَّخَذَso he preparedContextual glossلَهُfor himContextual glossدَعْوَةًa feastContextual glossفَدَعَاهُso he invited himContextual glossإلَيْهَاto itContextual glossفَلَمْso notContextual glossيَقْبَلْdid he acceptContextual glossلِهَذَا.for this reasonContextual gloss
It is related that Shaykh Fakhr al-Islām al-Arsābandī gathered discarded watermelon rinds in an empty lot and ate them; a servant-girl told her master, who prepared a feast and invited him, but he declined for this reason (self-respect).
So the student should aspire high and not covet people's wealth.
Hadith48
قَالَsaidContextual glossالنَّبِيُّthe ProphetContextual glossصَلَّىmay blessContextual glossاللهُAllahContextual glossعَلَيْهِhimContextual glossوَسَلَّمَ:and give peaceContextual glossإيَّاكَbeware youContextual glossوَالطَّمَعَand the greedContextual glossفَإِنَّهُfor indeed itContextual glossفَقْرٌpovertyContextual glossحَاضِرٌ.immediateContextual glossوَلَاand let him notContextual glossيَبْخَلْbe stingyContextual glossبِمَاwith whatContextual glossعِنْدَهُhe hasContextual glossمِنَfromContextual glossالْمَالِthe wealthContextual glossبَلْratherContextual glossيُنْفِقُlet him spendContextual glossعَلَىuponContextual glossنَفْسِهِhis selfContextual glossوَعَلَىand uponContextual glossغَيْرِهِ.othersContextual gloss
The Prophet ﷺ said: Beware greed — it is poverty already present. Nor should one hoard his money; spend on oneself and others.
Hadith49
قَالَsaidContextual glossالنَّبِيُّthe ProphetContextual glossعَلَيْهِupon himContextual glossالصَّلَاةُthe prayerContextual glossوَالسَّلَامُ:and the peaceContextual glossالنَّاسُthe peopleContextual glossكُلُّهُمْall of themContextual glossفِيinContextual glossالْفَقْرِthe povertyContextual glossمَخَافَةَout of fear ofContextual glossالْفَقْرِthe povertyContextual glossوَكَانُواand they used toContextual glossفِيinContextual glossالزَّمَانِthe timeContextual glossالْأَوَّلِthe earlierContextual glossيَتَعَلَّمُونَlearnContextual glossالْحِرْفَةَthe craftContextual glossثُمَّthenContextual glossيَتَعَلَّمُونَthey would learnContextual glossالْعِلْمَthe knowledgeContextual glossحَتَّىso thatContextual glossلَاnotContextual glossيَطْمَعُواthey covetContextual glossفِيinContextual glossأَمْوَالِthe wealth ofContextual glossالنَّاسِ.the peopleContextual gloss
The Prophet ﷺ said: People languish in need, dreading poverty — yet in earlier days they would learn a craft, then learning, so they would not covet others' wealth.
A wise saying: Whoever relies on people's money becomes needy; a greedy scholar keeps neither the dignity of knowledge nor truthful speech — hence the commentator would seek refuge: “I seek refuge in Allah from greed that drags one to low nature.”
Hope for safety only from Allah and fear none but Him — shown by crossing or keeping sacred limits. Whoever disobeys Allah fearing creatures has feared other than Allah; whoever will not sin for people's dread and watches the Sharīʿa neither fears creatures nor misplaced hopes — likewise regarding expectation.
Ruling96
وَيَنْبَغِيand it is fittingContextual glossلِطَالِبِfor the student ofContextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيَعُدَّhe countContextual glossوَيُقَدِّرَand he measureContextual glossلِنَفْسِهِfor himselfContextual glossتَقْدِيرًاa measureContextual glossفِيinContextual glossالتَّكْرَارِthe repetitionContextual glossفَإِنَّهُfor indeed itContextual glossلَاnotContextual glossيَسْتَقِرُّwill settleContextual glossقَلْبُهُhis heartContextual glossحَتَّىuntilContextual glossيَبْلُغَhe reachesContextual glossذَلِكَthatContextual glossالْمَبْلَغَ.the targetContextual gloss
The student should measure a repetition target for himself — his heart does not settle until he reaches that quota.
Ruling97
وَيَنْبَغِيand it is fittingContextual glossلِطَالِبِfor the student ofContextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيُكَرِّرَhe repeatContextual glossسَبَقَthe lesson ofContextual glossالْأَمْسِyesterdayContextual glossخَمْسَfiveContextual glossمَرَّاتٍtimesContextual glossوَسَبَقَand the lesson ofContextual glossالْيَوْمِthe dayContextual glossالَّذِيthatContextual glossقَبْلَbeforeContextual glossالْأَمْسِyesterdayContextual glossأَرْبَعَfourContextual glossمَرَّاتٍtimesContextual glossوَالسَّبَقَand the lessonContextual glossالَّذِيthatContextual glossقَبْلَهُbefore itContextual glossثَلَاثًاthreeContextual glossوَالَّذِيand the oneContextual glossقَبْلَهُbefore itContextual glossاثْنَتَيْنِtwoContextual glossوَالَّذِيand the oneContextual glossقَبْلَهُbefore itContextual glossوَاحِدَةًoneContextual glossفَهَذَاso thisContextual glossأَدْعَىmost conduciveContextual glossإلَىtoContextual glossالْحِفْظِ.memorisationContextual gloss
He should repeat yesterday's lesson five times, the day-before's four, the prior lesson three, then two, then one — this pattern most secures memorisation.
Ruling98
وَيَنْبَغِيand it is fittingContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossلَاnotContextual glossيَعْتَادَhe habituatesContextual glossالْمَخَافَةَthe dreadContextual glossفِيinContextual glossالتَّكْرَارِthe repetitionContextual glossلِأَنَّbecauseContextual glossالدَّرْسَthe studyContextual glossوَالتَّكْرَارَand the repetitionContextual glossيَنْبَغِيit is fittingContextual glossأَنْthatContextual glossيَكُونَit beContextual glossبِقُوَّةٍwith strengthContextual glossوَنَشَاطٍ،and energyContextual glossوَلَاand notContextual glossيَجْهَرُdoes he shoutContextual glossجَهْرًاa shoutingContextual glossيُجْهِدُthat exhaustsContextual glossنَفْسَهُhimselfContextual glossكَيْlestContextual glossلَاnotContextual glossيَنْقَطِعَhe stopsContextual glossعَنِfromContextual glossالتَّكْرَارِ،the repetitionContextual glossفَخَيْرُso the best ofContextual glossالْأُمُورِaffairsContextual glossأَوْسَطُهَا.their middleContextual gloss
Do not habituate dread in repetition — review should be strong and lively; neither shout to exhaustion nor stop repeating; the best matters follow the middle way.
Abū Yūsuf, they say, debated fiqh vigorously while famished; his son-in-law marvelled, knowing he had not eaten five days, yet still argued with vigour.
No study lull for the serious student — it is a plague. Our master Shaykh al-Islām Burhān al-Dīn said: I outpaced my peers because I never fell into idleness in acquisition.
Anecdote57
وَكَانَand it wasContextual glossيُحْكَىrelatedContextual glossعَنِaboutContextual glossالشَّيْخِthe ShaykhContextual glossالْأَسْبِيجَابِيِّal-AsbijābīContextual glossأَنَّهُthat heContextual glossوَقَعَfell intoContextual glossفِيinContextual glossزَمَانِthe time ofContextual glossتَحْصِيلِهِhis acquisitionContextual glossوَتَعَلُّمِهِand his learningContextual glossفَتْرَةٌa lullContextual glossاثْنَتَيْtwelveContextual glossعَشْرَةَand tenContextual glossسَنَةًa yearContextual glossبِانْقِلَابِdue to the upheaval ofContextual glossالْمُلْكِ،the kingdomContextual glossفَخَرَجَso he went outContextual glossمَعَwithContextual glossشَرِيكِهِhis partnerContextual glossفِيinContextual glossالْمُنَاظَرَةِthe debateContextual glossإلَىtoContextual glossحَيْثُwhereContextual glossيَمْكُنُهُمَاit was possible for themContextual glossالِاسْتِمْرَارُthe continuationContextual glossفِيinContextual glossطَلَبِseekingContextual glossالْعِلْمِthe knowledgeContextual glossوَظَلَّاand they remainedContextual glossيَدْرُسَانِstudyingContextual glossمَعًا،togetherContextual glossوَلَمْand notContextual glossيَتْرُكَاdid they leaveContextual glossالْجُلُوسَthe sittingContextual glossلِلْمُنَاظَرَةِfor the debateContextual glossاثْنَتَيْtwelveContextual glossعَشْرَةَand tenContextual glossسَنَةً،a yearContextual glossفَصَارَso becameContextual glossشَرِيكُهُhis partnerContextual glossشَيْخَthe Shaykh ofContextual glossالْإِسْلَامِIslamContextual glossلِلشَّافِعِيَّةِfor the ShāfiʿīsContextual glossوَكَانَand wasContextual glossهُوَheContextual glossشَافِعِيًّا.a ShāfiʿīContextual gloss
They relate of Shaykh al-Asbijayī a twelve-year lapse when the sultan fell; he and his debating partner withdrew where study could continue and never left their disputing circle those twelve years — the partner rose to Shaykh al-Islām for the Shāfiʿites while he remained Shāfiʿī.
Our master, Shaykh the judge Imām Fakhr al-Islām Qāḍī Khān, would say: A dedicated faqīh should hold one fiqh book ever memorised; after that, what he hears of fiqh comes easier to retain.
