Author: Abdul Hai lay'yan
The Nature and Method of Study (Part 4)
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Which Book Should We Read?
One of the concerns of readers is the question of which book to study. Indeed, what should be studied? In response to this fundamental question, before anything else, we refer to the Book of Allah. The Almighty God says in Surah (علق)Al- ‘Alaq: 1: «إقرأ» — Read. In this divine command, the object of the verb is omitted; thus, the conclusion is: Read whatever is readable and worth studying. [1]
A Muslim, with each of his senses (sight, taste, smell, hearing, and touch), has been commanded to study. In other words, we are obliged to study everything. «إقرأ» — Read (whatever is readable).
However, by referring to the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), we realize that we are forbidden from reading and studying matters that are harmful or mostly useless. This is because the Noble Prophet (PBUH) sought refuge in Almighty Allah from knowledge that brings no benefit. As he said: «اللهم إنّی أعوذ بک من علم لا ینفع»[2] Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that is of no benefit.
From the apparent meaning of this Hadith, it is understood that any knowledge that does not lead to benefit in this world and the Hereafter is nothing but a waste of time and is useless.
Therefore, desirable and commendable reading is that which contains benefits for both this world and the Hereafter. In clearer terms, we have been commanded to read and study books that provide benefit and contribute to the flourishing of our worldly and spiritual life.
Now that we understand that reading and studying beneficial books is a duty, another question arises: considering the abundance of useful books and the lack of sufficient time to study them all, which books should be prioritized? At first glance, answering this question seems simple, but given the value of every moment of human life, it carries a great responsibility. This is because any guidance given about which book to read is equal to directing a person to dedicate part of his time and life to it. For this reason, the most difficult kind of guidance is advising someone to read a specific book; for books shape one’s way of thinking, and thoughts transform the course of life — and such transformation may be either positive or negative.
With this importance in mind, it must be said that reading and studying certain religious books is an unavoidable obligation for every Muslim. Studying the Holy Qur’an, the Prophetic Hadiths, Islamic creed (‘Aqidah), jurisprudence (Fiqh), Islamic ethics, the history of Islam, and so forth are essential needs of an Islamic life. This is because knowing the rulings of an Islamic way of living and putting them into practice is a religious requirement and a matter of faith, the fulfillment of which depends on reading religious books.
What was mentioned above was the necessity of studying religious books. As for studying specialized scientific books, the answer to the question of which book should be studied? first requires answering two other questions: Who are you? And what is your goal? This is because the scope of study and the level of comprehension differ between a scholar and a learner, an engineer and a doctor, a preacher and a mathematician, a sociologist and a zoologist, and so forth. Therefore, unless it is clear who the reader is and what his goals are, it is not possible to give proper advice on what book should be read.
When Should We Read?
The suitable time for reading is another subject about which different opinions have been presented.
Some hold the view that the night, especially its latter part, is the best time for studying and learning because after reading, the reader goes to sleep, the mind has sufficient time to process the information, and the studied material is better consolidated in memory. [3] Another group says the most appropriate time for studying and learning is in the early morning, since one cannot learn properly with a tired brain. Learning requires a mind that is fresh, energetic, and free from fatigue. [4]
The truth is that neither of these two theories presents a clear reason or definitive answer for their choice, because in all these times, it is possible to achieve desirable outcomes from studying. There is no real difference in effectiveness between these two times. [5]
On this basis, it can be said that the best time for studying is the time when we feel inclined to study. This is a universal principle in which there is no restriction or obligation for setting a specific study time. [6]
Recent scientific findings, however, show that the human body undergoes many changes throughout the day, and at every hour it has specific abilities. Researchers believe that short-term memory and mental processing speed in most individuals reach their peak in the late morning to early afternoon, while the best time for activating long-term memory is between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. During this period, the human mind achieves its highest efficiency. [7]
Despite all this, there are those who, with various excuses — especially the excuse of having no time — neglect constructive reading. In reality, however, the problem is poor time management and failing to protect oneself from “time thieves” that waste one’s life. Therefore, a purposeful person should beware of such “time thieves” as:
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Unimportant conversations,
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Unnecessary phone calls,
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Lack of work discipline,
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Weakness and indecisiveness in decision-making,
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Inability to say “no” to improper requests,
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The habit of procrastination,
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Accepting too many tasks,
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Lack of proper planning,
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Reading unimportant and unnecessary materials, [8]
and must always strive to create opportunities for appropriate reading.
Some ways to create suitable time for reading include:
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Regulating sleeping hours,
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Postponing unimportant tasks,
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Doing multiple tasks simultaneously,
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Reviving “dead times” (idle moments),
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Saying “no” to unimportant requests,
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Working attentively,
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Limiting meetings,
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Organizing the workplace,
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Writing down daily tasks,
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Enhancing skills,
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Delegating work to competent people.[9]
How Should We Read?
The discussion of how to read can be briefly examined in two parts: first, reading techniques and methods; second, the hygiene of reading.
Reading Techniques and Methods
Undoubtedly, acquiring effective study methods is a fundamental necessity for making reading fruitful, since productive reading depends on two main factors:
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Having motivation and interest in the book under study, and
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Skillfully applying study techniques and methods.
Having motivation and interest in reading encourages a person to read more, while the proper use of study techniques makes reading easier, faster, and more enjoyable.[10]
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Sa‘di, Ahmad Muhammad Sa‘id, Al-Qira’at… Al-Kanz al-Mafqud fi Hayatina, p. 21.
[2]. Abu al-Husayn, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj al-Qushayri al-Naysaburi, Sahih Muslim, ed. Muhammad Fu’ad ‘Abd al-Baqi, Beirut: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-‘Arabi, 2nd edition, 1972, Hadith no. 2722.
[3]. Ronaghi, Hossein (2022). Best Time to Study, Dr. Ronaghi’s Website. https://doctorronaghi.ir
[4]. Ibid.
[5]. Babaei Arbusara, Iraj, Methods of Study and Research, Tehran: Ketab Ava Publications, 4th edition, 2015, p. 15.
[6]. Ibid., p. 14.
[7]. Ronaghi, Hossein (2022). Best Time to Study, Dr. Ronaghi’s Website. https://doctorronaghi.ir
[8]. Narouyi, Abdullatif, Time Management, Zahedan: Sarooj Publications, 3rd edition, 2018, pp. 110–114.
[9]. Ibid., pp. 115–123.
[10]. Seif, Ali Akbar, Methods of Learning and Reading, Tehran: Nashr-e Douran, 10th edition, 2nd revised version, 2021, p. 77.
