Text: Taleem al-Mutalym Author: Imam Zarnuji Teacher: Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf Chapter Two 1.

Power of Intentions (Track 6 4:00 mins) a. True knowledge is when you have action, otherwise its just information (deeni) b. For secular, employment education: i. For the sake of me not begging, so I wont have to depend on the people, & so I can study other things, more time for religious worship, etc 2. Intentions to study (00:12:00 Track 6) a. To gain the pleasure of Allah (swt) i. Be thankful to God for a healthy mind and sound body b. Not to teach other should be first intention, since we are need to benefit first from our knowledge, learnings i. Because we are indeed of it ourselves ii. We cant take others to paradise if we dont go ourselves to paradise iii. c. Paradise i. If Allah is pleased with us then we get jannah, thus intention a>c d. Removing ignorance i. You might act on your ignorance and sin.., therefore removing it is good e. Reviving Islam f. Removing ignorance from others g. To continue the solidify Islam, continuation of tradition h. Position to forbid wrong and command good i. If not for self ego, then seeking position is ok 3. Wrong Intentions a. Shouldnt do it so that others will turn to him b. He should not attract others to himself c. Shouldnt do it to reap the benefits in this world d. Your rizq will come to you anyways 4. Intentions a. the world is more worthless than the worthless, thus do not debase self by desiring dunya i. People are in poverty because they fear poverty b. Abstain from that which degrades knowledge, the learned ones, and its bearers (your sanad) 5. Virtues of study a. Better than fighting 6. You must carry yourself properly (08dars 7, 00:02:00) a. Sometimes its more effective then teaching a dars b. Do not abase yourself i. You should not covet something that will not benefit for hereafter; selling knowledge ii. You should not go into places where you shouldnt be! iii. Hadith: Believers are not allowed to debase themselves c. Arrogance < modesty < self abasement d. Scholars should dress slightly distinctly Chapter 3 7. Choosing Area of study a. Choose the most beneficial branch for self & consider your spiritual state b. Choose what will be essential in your future

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c. Go and seek what you desire, however do not fall short, its the biggest calamity (your not patient and persistence) Choosing Teachers a. Most learned, Most pious, most advance in years Once you criticize someones opinion a. You will put a barrier between you and him, he will block you b. He will see you as antagonistic c. *Say: well thats fine, but let me explain this other opinion d. Dont criticize his opinion first then tell yours opinion From whom should advise be sought? a. Scholars, spiritual guides: will give you holistic opinions, they will consider this world & the next b. Common folk: think in dunya terms, therefore take their opinion with caution, might give a economical, or political point of view Places and People in studies a. Be patient where you plan to study, its not going to be perfect b. People: i. Sometimes you might not like their style: be patient ii. Sometimes they teach advance texts only iii. You can leave different teachers, but you wont get anywhere 1. You might hurt their feelings, this will effect you! iv. Its better you remain until you have prospered in your studies c. Place i. Dont waste your time jumping schools ii. Relocation costs, time, etc d. Summary i. If you leave: Preoccupy time, injure teacher, cant study as much, etc ii. Be patient in difficulty, its bound to come iii. Your acquisition: % teacher + % your approach (adab, persistence, tawakul) Friends a. If you wish to know about a person = See his companions b. Only take companions who are good, qualities.. Qualities in Friends in Study a. Diligent b. Religious c. Gifted with Good character d. Understanding e. Bad: negligent, lazy, corrupt, talkative, troublemaker Importance of Good Friendship in Studies a. Need to have good friends who will motivate you in the right way b. Bad friends: lead you to hell fire c. Laziness spreads to liveliness, the other way around is much harder! d. *Nafs want to be lazy, therefore the lazy person will have much influence on lively person since the nafs will justify it/support it and tell the lively person to relax Patience & Persistence - Self a. To the end, hard to come by b. Do not abandon your studies incomplete c. Almost like greed of knowledge d. If your teacher doesnt show up at a time to meet up, and he doesnt show up i. Come back again and again, if your persistence and sincere you will get it Patience & Persistence w/ Teacher a. Be firm and exert patient with text and teacher b. Study sciences fully, dont leave subjects incomplete (esp new books, etc)

17. Self Requirements for Pursuing knowledge a. Ingenious acumen b. Fervent desire c. Patience d. Sufficient sustenance e. Guidance of a teacher f. Length of time g. Ideal: have all 6 qualities. i. If not all 6 present= dua, Allah (swt) will give you more of these qualities h. You need to have: high aspiration + very industrious (dont haste your affairs either..) i. Too slow < ideal high aspiration < haste high aspiration Chapter 3 (12 dars11) i. Reality of knowledge i. Learned Knowledge: Allah (swt) is the one will give you knowledge, the teacher is just the means from which you will receive it (it comes out from the teachers mouth) ii. Experiential knowledge: A lot is learned just experience, from Allah (swt) directly iii. Objective: is not to get the highest grade per say, rather benefit others, etc j. Those who wants their kids to become scholars i. Parents should show the travelling scholars generosity, assisting them, honor them k. Nasiha to retain i. Learn as if you will have to teach it tomorrow (you have to really understand it) ii. Always aspire for the highest (ie. Dont aspire to teach just Nur al-Idha, aspire for higher books), since you may not reach the heights but at least you will be still very high iii. You shouldnt have friends (that are so close that influence your day to day routine) iv. Persistence of study: if you have go somewhere that breaks your cycle of study should be like the time you spend in the bathroom 1. Just do what you need to do as asap, then leave immediately l. You have to: Toil + wanting to study i. Shaytan, nafs, etc = all against you. Since you can potential become an inheritor of the Prophets (AS) Chapter 4: Respecting Knowledge & its Possessors 18. Etiquettes a. Respecting knowledge and those who pursue it i. Respect: teacher, books, pens, teachers kids, and place of study ii. You gain knowledge by: 50% your dedication, 50% by respecting b. Best way to sit i. Squatting, tahashud position, and one leg up ii. Face qibla c. Adab with teacher i. Dont walk in front of him ii. Or sit in his place iii. Dont speak in his presence w/o his permission iv. Dont speak w/ long duration w/o his permission v. One should not ask him questions when he seems tired vi. Dont knock on his door, wait for him (observe correct time) vii. Avoid his resentment, obey his commands (unless its against shariah) viii. Misc: respect teachers children ix. Misc: do not sit too close to him, best: students should sit in a circle d. Ask Allah for knowledge: you must qualify yourself by showing adab for those with knowledge + respecting books, etc

Parents: Your parents dua are very powerful: best dua of your parents are those that are spontaneous, the dua just comes out of them when you (child) does something to honor them b. Teachers (also strong) 20. Respect things of knowledge a. Books i. Nothing should be placed on top of your books ii. If you place it unintentionally, or without the intention to degrade it then its not haram, but its better to refrain from this iii. Best: touch books of knowledge only when in wudu b. Writing in books: Write in a clear style, organized way (you will regret it later if you write it badly) c. Respecting, Praising: your pupils and teachers (some flattery in this case is ok?) (dars 14) d. Listening with attentiveness words on knowledge even its for the 1000x time i. Respect for knowledge, if you dont give it respect your not worthy of it! 21. Choosing Curriculum a. Trust your teacher, dont do it for yourself b. Order: Broad subjects > sub areas of study Chapter 5: Perseverance 22. Self Struggle, Tahajudd a. he who seeks something & is industrious (in doing so) shall find it; he who knocks at the door & is persistent shall enter b. 3 people need to be industrious: student, teacher, father c. You must toil for scholarship i. Poetry: oh my soul, do not become lax in your good deeds..for one who does good experiences happiness, those who are lazy has afflictions and unhappiness ii. Poetry: get laziness out of self, oh my soul otherwise you will bring on you contempt. For I do not see that the lazy have a share in anything, but regret & frustration of hopes iii. Poetry: how much shame, weakness, & regret is born to men from laziness. Beware of laziness in investigating the doubtful matters iv. Poetry: To us (good servants), He (swt) gives knowledge, to the enemies wealth, wealth perishes, knowledge lasts Ali (ra) d. If you toil: you will encounter delights > all other delights of dunya e. Maintain tahajudd: i. Poetry: he who seeks the heights, stays up the night ii. Poetry: Through much toil do you gain high distinction, So he who seeks learning keeps awake during the night. You strive for glory but then you sleep at night? He who seeks pearls immerses himself in the sea..A mans dignity rests on his night vigils..Whoever desires elevation without fatigue wastes his life in the quest for the absurdI have forsaken sleep to win Your satisfaction, O God. So let me attain this knowledge and reach the utmost degree of accomplishment iii. Peotry: He who desires to carry out all his aspirations should use his nights as a camel on his road to reach them..reduce food to maintain vigil iv. dont shorten your lifespan by sleeping, & dont obscure day time with your sins v. Peotry: He who keeps watch at night will rejoice in his heart during the day. pg 20 f. *Dua: reduce sleep + barakah in time g. Moderation: Hadith: your mind is like a riding beasts, hence use it with moderation 23. Foods & Laziness a. Source of laziness: phlegm & bodily fluids (thus: reduce foods, reduce laziness) i. Source of phlegm = excessive water, fluids = excessive eating foods b. Reduce phlegm by i. Reduce foods (eat in small amounts)

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ii. Using miswak iii. Eat: dry breads, iv. Anti-thirst: dry figs + bread c. Fatigued with one subject: change subjects Chapter 6: Beginning of study, About & organization 24. When to begin a. Wednesdays: day when light was created..etc. Youth (post puberty) is the best time 25. Initial studies, memorization a. Length of study: an amount that which he can retain in his memory after 2 repetition b. Increasing gently: Every day memorize more by 1 word/day c. Good to memorize: one fiqh book (summary fiqh books, ie abu shuja, etc) 26. Repetition of Lessons, Order a. N-1 (yesterday): 5 x > 4 x > 3 x > 2 x > 1 x (n-5 days lesson); n=today b. Not necessary to say aloud, faster to do it in silently or with soft voice 27. Notes a. After memorization of current lesson: write down a summary + repeat it often i. Dont write it down until you understand it ii. If reading is limited, but repetition + reflection extensive: attain firm grasp of subject b. Comprehension > Memorization > listening 28. Reflection for subtleties a. Only way to solve subtle problems, points 29. Thankfulness a. Gratitude in current blessings & knowledge = increase knowledge b. Show it: zikr, hands, heart, & wealth c. Hope: do not hope for anything unless it comes from God not to fear anything except from God himself 30. Do not interrupt studies, should be continual process a. if you wish to waste 1 hr, then you should might as well leave study this very hour 31. Books of spirituality: do not cover lot of amount, rather cover small yet implement it that day Chapter 7: tawakul 32. Rizq: dont waste your time concerned about it, from God a. God provides for the seekers of knowledge in unexpected ways 33. Dont waste your time a. Affairs of the dunya: causes grief, anxiety, does not relief calamites b. Working for dunya: reduces potential to do good? Chapter 8: time to study 34. Best times in day a. Fajr (Dawn): Tahajudd to sunrise, and after fajr time b. Sunset to Isha i. Nights: beginning of the night and at its end? c. Fajr < x < duha/ishrak: go for run, & ponder over lesson, keep pen + paper d. *Increase barakah in time: do zikr + dua Chapter 9: Helpfulness & Advise 35. Think: anyone can teach you, try to learn from everyone (either to avoid something - in them, or internalize something + you see) a. Dont debate, only allowed to bring out the truth never for ego i. Jesus (AS): bear with fool once and gain 10 times the reward from God ii. Think well of all believers

Chapter 10: Useful means in attainment of knowledge a. Keep with you: Pen, Book, and notepad* a. All the time to study not just in classes b. In case you have ideas to write down ideas, etc b. Daily knowledge wird: Try to commit to study a small amount each day (overtime it will buildup) or memorize Chapter 11: zuhd during learning 36. If you dont practice your knowledge and/or no zuhd a. Then God will punish you by i. Early death ii. Exile to far off places iii. Under the rule of the politicians 37. Zuhd makes implementation and acquisition of knowledge = easy 38. Elements of Zuhd a. Reduce: sleep, food, talk about dunya i. Fast food/outside food: less barakah (states of people who make fast food=heedlessness, transfer>you) 1. Or it might contain najas, impurities 2. Eyes of needy = reduce barakah in food b. Stay away from people of i. fasiq & arrogant: qualities transfer to you ii. Talkative: waste time Chapter 12: Memory & Forgetfulness (29 Dars 27) 39. Increase memory by a. Labor to study b. Reduce foods (gases>brain>slow processing + laziness) c. Quran recitation (aloud) d. Night prayer e. Specific Zikrs f. Use of miswak g. Foods i. 21 red rasins + empty stomach/day ii. Honey iii. Anything that reduces phlegm, [phlegm] = [memory]^-1 40. Memorization: Studies a. Before class: go over your lesson b. In class: ask questions regarding any clarification on the lesson c. After class: teach it other (best) or review session (with another student) 41. Memorization: Quran (time order) a. Memorize at night for 2 hrs b. Sleep c. Wake up: 0.5hr session (before fajr, or after fajr review) d. If you dont repeat: You will forget it (the first you forget is yesterdays lesson) 42. Memorization: Quran (Lesson order) a. Todays lesson: memorize b. After: read/memorize 5 pages, etc (5 previous lesson) c. Then: take few juz from the earliest lessons 43. When lifting Quran

Bismillah, subhanAllah, alhumdulilah, la illhah illah Allah, Allahu akbar, la hawla wala kuwata illa billah hil alia deem + (who knows the number of all letters that ever written throughout centenruies and ages) 44. After prayer: Dua + salawat 45. Forgetfulness is from a. Sins b. Anxiety @ dunya matters c. Many occupations i. Dunya: brings darkness in heart ii. Hereafter: light in heart d. Cupping: certain areas its bad (nukrat rass..) e. Sour things (for men, for females its good) like lemon or sour apples Chapter 13: Increasing lifespan and livelihood 46. Lifespan (increase) a. Dua b. Piety (avoiding sins) 47. Rizq reduced by a. Sleeping > fajr b. Sins (esp. telling lies; poverty) c. Misc i. Sleeping naked ii. Eating in non-pure state iii. Not finishing food iv. Calling parents by first names v. Neglecting prayer vi. Putting on pants while standing? 48. Rizq Incrased by a. Best: excellence in prayer b. Charity c. Stay up afpter fajr d. Good speech e. Spiriual i. Duha prayer ii. Surah Waqiah iii. At Night: Surah Mulk, Muzzamil, Layl, Sharh f. Present in mosque < athan g. Continual wudu h. Sunnah prayer @ home i. Not speaking dunya > witr

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