Seeking knowledge in due Amounts (11)

Allaah (`azza wa jall) said: "And it is a Qur'aan which We have divided into parts, in order that you may recite it to men at intervals. And We have sent it down in stages." (12)

The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said to `Abdullaah ibn `Amr ibn al-`Aas: "Read the Qur'aan in every month." I said: I find that I have more strength than that. He (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Recite it in every twenty nights." I said: I find that I have more strength than that. He (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Then recite it in every seven days and do not increase upon that." (13)

'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas also related from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) that he said: "He does not understand the Qur'aan who recites it in less than three days" (14)

Umar ibn 'Abdul-Waahid, a companion of al-Awzaa'ee said: We read in al-Muwattaa to Maalik (d. 179H) in forty days, so he said: "A book that took me forty years to compile, you take from me in forty days! How little you understand of it." (15)

Al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee said: "It is fitting that he takes care in acquiring knowledge and that he should not take too much in one go. Rather, he should take a little at a time, such that he can bear it., memorize it and be able to understand it. Because Allaah says which means: "And those who disbelieve say: Why is the Qur’aan not send down to him all at once? Thus (is it sent down in parts) that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages.("16") (17)

Al-Khateeb also said: "And know that the heart in an organ from the organs. It is able to bear somethings and unable to bear others—just like the rest of the body. Thus, some people are able to carry one-hundred pounds, whereas others are unable to carry even twenty. Some people are able to walk a number of miles in a day without tiring, whereas others are unable to even walk a mile a day before they become tired... So let each person limit himself to what he is able without expending all his energies, because that will better aid him in learning with a good mind, from a firm and proficient teacher.'' (18)

Supplicating for an Increase in Knowledge(19)
Allaah (`azza wa jall) said which means: "Say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge." (Soorah TaaHaa 20:114)

Umm Salamah said:Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate in the morning prayer: "O Allaah! I ask you for beneficial knowledge, righteous action and pure sustenance." (20) Anas bin Maalik (be) said: I heard Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) supplicate:"O Allaah! Benefit me with knowledge. Teach me that which will benefit me, and provide me with knowledge from which I can derive benefit." (21)

Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ja'far said: I heard Ibn Khuzaymah (d. 311H) being asked: From where did you acquire this knowledge? So he said: "Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Zam-zam water is that for which it is drunk." (22) So when I drunk zam-zam water, I supplicate to Allaah for beneficial knowledge." (23)

Shaykhul-lslaarn Ibn Taymiyyah said: (24) "The reality of this matter that the servant differs in what he asks of knowledge and guidance, and of what he seeks to ask. So with remembrance of Allaah and turning towards Him, Allaah guides such a person—as He said which means: "O My servants! All of you are misguided, except whomsoever I guide. So seek your guidance from me." (25)

And as the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to say: "O Allaah! Lord of Jibreel, Meekaa 'eel and Israafeel. The Originator of the heavens and the earth. Knower of the Unseen and the apparent. You judge between Your servant in that which he differs. So guide me in that which I differ from the truth—by Your permission. Indeed, You guide whomsoever You please, to a Path that is straight." (26)

Foot Notes:
1. From An-Nubadh fee Aadaabit-Talabil-'ilm (pp.61-66), slightly abridged.
2. Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 7086)
3. Fathul-Baaree (13/39)
4. Related by Ibn Muflih in Al-Aadaabush-Shar'iyyah.
5. Related by Ibn Abee Ya'laa in Tabaqaatul-Hanaabilah (1/41).
6. Fataawaa al-Kubra (2/54-55).
7. Related by adh-Dhahabee in Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (2/722).
8. Jaami' Bayaanul-'llm wa fadlihi (pp. 526-528)
9. Al-Jaami' li-Akhlaaqir-Raawee wa Aadaabis-Saami'(1/106).
10. From the introduction to Al-Majmoo' Sharhul-Muhadhhab (1/38)
11. From An-Nubadh (pp.67-69)
12. Soorah al-lsraa 17:106.
13. Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5052) and Muslim (no. 1159) and the wording is from Muslim).
14. Saheeh: related by Abu Daawood in his Sunan (no. 1394) and it was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood (no. 1294). 15. Related by Ibn 'Abdul-Barr in at-Tawheed (1/77)
16. Soorah al-Furqaan 25:32.
17. Al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/101).
18. Al-Fapeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/107).
19. An-Nubadh (pp. 97-99).
20. Hasan: related by Ahmad (6/305) and atTiyaalasee (p.224). It was authenticated by al-Haafidh Ibn Hair in Nataa'ijul Aflkaar (2/313).
21. Related by Haakim (1/510) and he said: "It is authentic upon the condition of Muslim." Adh-Dhahabee also agreed.
22. Related by adh-Dhahabee in Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (2/721).
23. Hasan: It has been narrated by many different ways. Refer to all- Maqasidu lHasanah ( 928) of as-Sakhawi for its authentication and sources.
24. Majmoo`ul fataawaa (4/39)
25. Related by Muslim (no. 2577) form Abu Dharr.
26. Related by Muslim (no. 770) from `Aaishah.