Advice Regarding The Best Times For Memorisation
Khateeb al-Baghdadee (d. 463H) rahimahullaah said:
“Know that for memorisation there are certain times that are crucial for whoever wishes to memorise to be aware of. Likewise, for memorisation there are places that are essential for those who are memorising to stick to. So the best times are al-As-haar (the pre-dawn periods of the night), then after that is a time in the middle part of the day and after that are al-Ghadawaat (the early morning periods) and not al-'Ashiyyaat (the evenings). Furthermore, memorisation in the night is better than memorisation in the day. It was said to one of them (the Salaf): ‘How did you gain knowledge?’ He said: ‘With a lamp and by sitting till the morning.’ Also it was asked to another, so he replied: 'With travel, staying awake at night and with getting up early for the pre-dawn.
And times of hunger are more commendable for memorising than from the times of being satisfied (i.e. after having eaten to the fill). It is incumbent for the one memorising that he checks and examines himself at times of hunger. Since there are some people who when the severity of the hunger and the hunger-pangs strike him, he is not able to memorise at all. So he should satisfy and remove that from himself by [eating] something little and light.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqeh (2/103-104)
Khateeb al-Baghdadee (d. 463H) rahimahullaah said:
“Know that for memorisation there are certain times that are crucial for whoever wishes to memorise to be aware of. Likewise, for memorisation there are places that are essential for those who are memorising to stick to. So the best times are al-As-haar (the pre-dawn periods of the night), then after that is a time in the middle part of the day and after that are al-Ghadawaat (the early morning periods) and not al-'Ashiyyaat (the evenings). Furthermore, memorisation in the night is better than memorisation in the day. It was said to one of them (the Salaf): ‘How did you gain knowledge?’ He said: ‘With a lamp and by sitting till the morning.’ Also it was asked to another, so he replied: 'With travel, staying awake at night and with getting up early for the pre-dawn.
And times of hunger are more commendable for memorising than from the times of being satisfied (i.e. after having eaten to the fill). It is incumbent for the one memorising that he checks and examines himself at times of hunger. Since there are some people who when the severity of the hunger and the hunger-pangs strike him, he is not able to memorise at all. So he should satisfy and remove that from himself by [eating] something little and light.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqeh (2/103-104)
Muhammad b. Ismaa'eel al-Bukhaaree (d. 256H) rahimahullaah was asked regarding the remedy for (poor) memorisation, so he said:
“Idmaan (constantly and frequently) looking into the books.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Jaami' Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.583)
“Idmaan (constantly and frequently) looking into the books.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Jaami' Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.583)
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'Umar b. al-Khattaab (d. 23H) radiallaahu 'anhu said:
“Beware of the people of opinion (ar-Ra'ee); for indeed they are enemies of the Sunan (The Prophetic Tradition). They became weary of memorising Ahaadeeth (plural of Hadeeth), so they spoke with opinion so they went astray and they led others astray.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Sunan ad-Daraqutnee (4/146), Madkhal al-Bayhaqee (no.213), Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah al-Laalikaa’ee (no.201), al-Ihkaam (2/132, 4/48, 6/213), Fathul-Baaree Ibn Hajr (13/289)
“Beware of the people of opinion (ar-Ra'ee); for indeed they are enemies of the Sunan (The Prophetic Tradition). They became weary of memorising Ahaadeeth (plural of Hadeeth), so they spoke with opinion so they went astray and they led others astray.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Sunan ad-Daraqutnee (4/146), Madkhal al-Bayhaqee (no.213), Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah al-Laalikaa’ee (no.201), al-Ihkaam (2/132, 4/48, 6/213), Fathul-Baaree Ibn Hajr (13/289)
'Umar b. al-Khattaab (d. 23H) radiallaahu 'anhu said:
“Beware of the people of opinion (ar-Ra'ee); for indeed they are enemies of the Sunan (The Prophetic Tradition). They became weary of memorising Ahaadeeth (plural of Hadeeth), so they spoke with opinion so they went astray and they led others astray.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Sunan ad-Daraqutnee (4/146), Madkhal al-Bayhaqee (no.213), Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah al-Laalikaa’ee (no.201), al-Ihkaam (2/132, 4/48, 6/213), Fathul-Baaree Ibn Hajr (13/289)
“Beware of the people of opinion (ar-Ra'ee); for indeed they are enemies of the Sunan (The Prophetic Tradition). They became weary of memorising Ahaadeeth (plural of Hadeeth), so they spoke with opinion so they went astray and they led others astray.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Sunan ad-Daraqutnee (4/146), Madkhal al-Bayhaqee (no.213), Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah al-Laalikaa’ee (no.201), al-Ihkaam (2/132, 4/48, 6/213), Fathul-Baaree Ibn Hajr (13/289)
Books Take You To The Time Of The Salaf & It Is Like Accompanying Them
Ahmad b. Abee 'Imraan said:
"I was with Aboo 'Ayyoob Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Shujaa’ whilst he was in his house, so he sent a young boy from his servants to Aboo ‘Abdullaah b. al-A'raabee * the author of 'al-Ghareeb’ to ask him to come to him. So the boy returned and said: 'I asked him concerning that so he said to me: 'I have a people from the Arabs here with me, so when I finish dealing with an important matter with them then I will come.' The boy said: 'And I did not see anybody there with him except that there were books in front of him which he was studying, so he would sometimes look in this book and sometimes into another.' Then before we even realised he suddenly came, so Aboo Ayyoob said to him: O Aboo Abdillaah Subhaan Allaah al-'Adheem (free is Allaah from all imperfections the Great)! You stayed away from us and prevented us from being in your company. And indeed the boy informed me that he did not see a single person there with you, yet you said: 'I have a people from the Arabs here with me, so when I finish dealing with an important matter with them then I will come.' So Ibn al-A'raabee said:
We have companions their speech does not bore us,
profusely intelligent, trustworthy in absence and in attendance
They benefit us with their knowledge, a knowledge that was long ago,
and with intelligence, discipline and having correct opinion
Without any tribulation to be feared nor any evil companionship,
and amongst them we worry not about their tongue and hand
So if you were to say 'the dead' then you would not be untruthful,
and were you to say 'alive' then you would not be charged with feeble-mindedness.
* Translator’s Side Note: He is Aboo ‘Abdullaah Muhammad b. Ziyaad b. al-A'raabee (150H -231H). Imaam adh-Dhahabee in as-Siyar (10/688) said: "He was a person of the Sunnah and Ittibaa (following and implementing it)." Khateeb al-Baghdadee in Taareekh Baghdaad (3/201-202) said: "He was 'Saahib al-Lughah’ (companion of the Arabic language). He was one of the scholars of the Arabic language, one who was referred back to in the knowledge of the language; and regarding it he was abundant in memorisation...And he was a Thiqah (trustworthy narrator)."
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.579-580)
Ahmad b. Abee 'Imraan said:
"I was with Aboo 'Ayyoob Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Shujaa’ whilst he was in his house, so he sent a young boy from his servants to Aboo ‘Abdullaah b. al-A'raabee * the author of 'al-Ghareeb’ to ask him to come to him. So the boy returned and said: 'I asked him concerning that so he said to me: 'I have a people from the Arabs here with me, so when I finish dealing with an important matter with them then I will come.' The boy said: 'And I did not see anybody there with him except that there were books in front of him which he was studying, so he would sometimes look in this book and sometimes into another.' Then before we even realised he suddenly came, so Aboo Ayyoob said to him: O Aboo Abdillaah Subhaan Allaah al-'Adheem (free is Allaah from all imperfections the Great)! You stayed away from us and prevented us from being in your company. And indeed the boy informed me that he did not see a single person there with you, yet you said: 'I have a people from the Arabs here with me, so when I finish dealing with an important matter with them then I will come.' So Ibn al-A'raabee said:
We have companions their speech does not bore us,
profusely intelligent, trustworthy in absence and in attendance
They benefit us with their knowledge, a knowledge that was long ago,
and with intelligence, discipline and having correct opinion
Without any tribulation to be feared nor any evil companionship,
and amongst them we worry not about their tongue and hand
So if you were to say 'the dead' then you would not be untruthful,
and were you to say 'alive' then you would not be charged with feeble-mindedness.
* Translator’s Side Note: He is Aboo ‘Abdullaah Muhammad b. Ziyaad b. al-A'raabee (150H -231H). Imaam adh-Dhahabee in as-Siyar (10/688) said: "He was a person of the Sunnah and Ittibaa (following and implementing it)." Khateeb al-Baghdadee in Taareekh Baghdaad (3/201-202) said: "He was 'Saahib al-Lughah’ (companion of the Arabic language). He was one of the scholars of the Arabic language, one who was referred back to in the knowledge of the language; and regarding it he was abundant in memorisation...And he was a Thiqah (trustworthy narrator)."
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.579-580)
Shaadh b. Yahya [al-Waasitee] rahimahullaah said:
“There is no path shorter to al-Jannah than the Path of those who traversed upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.112), Miftaahul-Jannah (p.65)
“There is no path shorter to al-Jannah than the Path of those who traversed upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.112), Miftaahul-Jannah (p.65)
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Imaam Ahmad (d. 241H) rahimahullaah said:
"Adhere to the people of the narrations and the Sunan (Prophetic Traditions)."
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa: (11/231)
"Adhere to the people of the narrations and the Sunan (Prophetic Traditions)."
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa: (11/231)
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) rahimahullaah said:
“Indeed the religion is only established upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/367), Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.327, 480), Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.3, 127, 130), Dhamm al-Kalaam (no.327), Taareekh ad-Damishq (28/25), Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (1/338), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (9/349), Tahdheebul-Kamaal (14/463)
“Indeed the religion is only established upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/367), Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.327, 480), Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.3, 127, 130), Dhamm al-Kalaam (no.327), Taareekh ad-Damishq (28/25), Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (1/338), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (9/349), Tahdheebul-Kamaal (14/463)
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) rahimahullaah said:
“Indeed the religion is only established upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/367), Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.327, 480), Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.3, 127, 130), Dhamm al-Kalaam (no.327), Taareekh ad-Damishq (28/25), Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (1/338), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (9/349), Tahdheebul-Kamaal (14/463)
“Indeed the religion is only established upon the narrations.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/367), Jaami’ Bayaan al-'ilm wa Fadlihi (no.327, 480), Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.3, 127, 130), Dhamm al-Kalaam (no.327), Taareekh ad-Damishq (28/25), Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (1/338), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (9/349), Tahdheebul-Kamaal (14/463)
Al-Hasan b. 'Alee al-Barbahaaree (d. 329H) rahimahullaah said:
“Upon you is to cling to the narrations and the people of narrations. And only ask them, and sit with them and take from them.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Sharhus-Sunnah al-Barbahaaree (no.91)
“Upon you is to cling to the narrations and the people of narrations. And only ask them, and sit with them and take from them.”
Translated by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Sharhus-Sunnah al-Barbahaaree (no.91)
Reasons Behind The Weakening Of The Religion
'Abdullaah b. Mas'ood (d. 32H) radiallaahu 'anhu said:
"The first thing that you will lose from your religion is al-Khushoo’ (reverence and humility) - and in a narration al-Amaanah (Trust) - and the last thing that you will lose from your religion is as-Salaat (the Prayer). And Indeed the handholds of Islaam will be destroyed handhold by handhold, and the women will pray whilst they are on their menses, and you will certainly follow the path of those who came before you (i.e. by imitating them exactly) as a feather of one arrow closely resembles that of another** and as one shoe closely resembles the other. You will not declare the error of their way and they will not find fault in you; until two sects will continue to be from the multitude of sects. Then one of them will say: 'What is the significance of the five (daily) prayers, surely those who came before us were indeed misguided; since Allaah the Blessed and the Most High only mentioned:
“And establish the prayer at the two ends of the day and as the night approaches.”
Therefore do not pray except three (prayers).' And the other sect will say: ‘The Imaan (faith) of the believers in Allaah is just the same as the Imaan (faith) of the Angels and there is no unbeliever amongst us or any hypocrite.’ Allaah has the right to raise them both up with the Dajjaal (the one eyed liar)."
**Translator’s Side Note: Ibn al-Atheer mentions in an-Nihayah (4/28): “Al-Qudhadh (meaning) the feathers (i.e. fletching) of an arrow.” Then Ibn al-Atheer mentions: “And in the hadeeth: 'You will certainly follow the ways of those before you like a feather of an arrow closely resembles that of another.' Meaning this is similar to when both of them (i.e. feathers of two arrows are put side by side) to be measured against the measurement of its counterpart (for uniformity) and then cut off (i.e. any excess). This example is struck for two things which are equal and not different (i.e. are similar).”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: [At-Tabaraanee in] al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer (no.8699), al-Haakim (4/469, 504) and he authenticated it and adh-Dhahabee agreed, Taareekh Baghdaad (12/79), and in al-Hilyah (1/281) from Hudhayfah (radiallaahu 'anhu) and (6/265) from Anas b. Maalik (d.32H) (radiallaahu 'anhu), and similarly in Taareekh Asbahaan (2/183).
'Abdullaah b. Mas'ood (d. 32H) radiallaahu 'anhu said:
"The first thing that you will lose from your religion is al-Khushoo’ (reverence and humility) - and in a narration al-Amaanah (Trust) - and the last thing that you will lose from your religion is as-Salaat (the Prayer). And Indeed the handholds of Islaam will be destroyed handhold by handhold, and the women will pray whilst they are on their menses, and you will certainly follow the path of those who came before you (i.e. by imitating them exactly) as a feather of one arrow closely resembles that of another** and as one shoe closely resembles the other. You will not declare the error of their way and they will not find fault in you; until two sects will continue to be from the multitude of sects. Then one of them will say: 'What is the significance of the five (daily) prayers, surely those who came before us were indeed misguided; since Allaah the Blessed and the Most High only mentioned:
“And establish the prayer at the two ends of the day and as the night approaches.”
Therefore do not pray except three (prayers).' And the other sect will say: ‘The Imaan (faith) of the believers in Allaah is just the same as the Imaan (faith) of the Angels and there is no unbeliever amongst us or any hypocrite.’ Allaah has the right to raise them both up with the Dajjaal (the one eyed liar)."
**Translator’s Side Note: Ibn al-Atheer mentions in an-Nihayah (4/28): “Al-Qudhadh (meaning) the feathers (i.e. fletching) of an arrow.” Then Ibn al-Atheer mentions: “And in the hadeeth: 'You will certainly follow the ways of those before you like a feather of an arrow closely resembles that of another.' Meaning this is similar to when both of them (i.e. feathers of two arrows are put side by side) to be measured against the measurement of its counterpart (for uniformity) and then cut off (i.e. any excess). This example is struck for two things which are equal and not different (i.e. are similar).”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: [At-Tabaraanee in] al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer (no.8699), al-Haakim (4/469, 504) and he authenticated it and adh-Dhahabee agreed, Taareekh Baghdaad (12/79), and in al-Hilyah (1/281) from Hudhayfah (radiallaahu 'anhu) and (6/265) from Anas b. Maalik (d.32H) (radiallaahu 'anhu), and similarly in Taareekh Asbahaan (2/183).
'Abdullaah ad-Daylamee rahimahullaah said:
“I heard Ibn 'Amr - radiallaahu 'anhu - saying: 'An innovation is not innovated except that it increases in loss and a Sunnah is not abandoned except that it increases in desires.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.128), Ibn Waddaah (p.44).
“I heard Ibn 'Amr - radiallaahu 'anhu - saying: 'An innovation is not innovated except that it increases in loss and a Sunnah is not abandoned except that it increases in desires.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.128), Ibn Waddaah (p.44).
'Abdullaah ad-Daylamee rahimahullaah said:
“I heard Ibn 'Amr - radiallaahu 'anhu - saying: 'An innovation is not innovated except that it increases in loss and a Sunnah is not abandoned except that it increases in desires.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.128), Ibn Waddaah (p.44).
“I heard Ibn 'Amr - radiallaahu 'anhu - saying: 'An innovation is not innovated except that it increases in loss and a Sunnah is not abandoned except that it increases in desires.'”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Al-Laalikaa’ee (no.128), Ibn Waddaah (p.44).
Hassaan b. 'Atiyyah (d. 130H) rahimahullaah said:
“Never do a people introduce in their religion an innovation except that Allaah takes away from them its like from their Sunnah and he will not return it back to them until the Day of Judgement.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Ad-Daarimee (no.98), al-Ma'rifah wat-Taareekh (3/373), Ibn Waddaah (p.44), al-Laalikaa’ee (no.129), Hilyatul-Awliyaa [of Aboo Nu'aym] (6/73).
“Never do a people introduce in their religion an innovation except that Allaah takes away from them its like from their Sunnah and he will not return it back to them until the Day of Judgement.”
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillaah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmiree
Reference: Ad-Daarimee (no.98), al-Ma'rifah wat-Taareekh (3/373), Ibn Waddaah (p.44), al-Laalikaa’ee (no.129), Hilyatul-Awliyaa [of Aboo Nu'aym] (6/73).