Introduction to Howzah Studies Lesson 6 Etiquettes of Learning (Part three) By Sheikh Safdar Razi

C. Ethics of the Student While Learning When to learn? What to learn? How to learn?

When to learn? Learning should occur in the earlier stages of life. It’s mentioned that knowledge acquired in childhood is like the carving in a stone. Knowledge has no special age-timeline. It has been said that knowledge must gained from the cradle to the grave. Whenever you have free time, utilize that time to learn and acquire knowledge. If you do not have free time, then make some free time in your life to acquire knowledge.

What to learn? Knowledge in general can be divided into five types: 1.Obligatory (Wajib) 2.Recommended (Mustahab) 3.Permitted (Mubaah) 4.Abhorred (Makrooh) 5.Forbidden (Haraam)

Obligatory Knowledge We can divide obligatory knowledge into two categories: 1. Necessary Issues Every Muslim is responsible for performing his actions according to the will of Allah. The command of Allah consists of obligatory duties. Therefore, it becomes an obligation for every Muslim to learn the basics of the required duties and how to perform them. Likewise, he must learn what the basic prohibitions are so that he may avoid them. (For example, learning the rules of doubt in Salaat for a person who doubts regularly is obligatory.)

2. Obligation on insufficiency or lack in Muslim society This type of obligation becomes obligatory whenever an important profession is lacking in a Muslim society. An example of this is a need for female doctors to treat the ladies or a religious scholar to guide the community. In these examples, it becomes an obligation for the whole society to provide a female doctor or religious scholar or send someone to learn such a profession in order to return and serve the community.

If a Muslim society fails to do so, then the entire Muslim society has sinned through this lack. However, if someone goes to acquire such knowledge, the obligation falls upon the entire society. (Continued…)

Recommended (Mustahab) Besides the obligatory knowledge, every beneficial knowledge in Islam is considered as a “recommended knowledge”. If a person makes his intention to achieve the nearness of Allah (swt) and learns something beneficial for the sake of Allah (swt), then he is indeed rewarded for learning.

Misconceptions about Islamic Knowledge. It is wrong to divide education into Islamic and non-Islamic knowledge. Every beneficial knowledge is considered to be Islamic knowledge, and every knowledge which leads to corruption and harm is considered to be non-Islamic knowledge. We can say that Islamic religious education includes the study of religion, while non-religious education includes Islamic academic sciences such as chemistry, etc.

Permitted (Mubaah) Any education or knowledge which: Is not harmful Does not lead to corruption Is not a waste of time Is not for the sake of Allah (swt) Is not for any other permissible reasons is considered permissible education in which there is no reward nor any punishment.

Abhorred (Makrooh) Any education or knowledge which: Might be harmful Might lead to corruption Is a waste of time Is not for the sake of Allah (swt) is considered abhorrent although it is permissible education. There is no reward and there is a possibility of condemnation.

Forbidden (Haraam) Any education or knowledge which: Is harmful Leads to corruption or evil Is an extreme waste of time, in a way that prevents one from fulfilling other duties and responsibilities Is learned with evil intentions such as competing with other people in knowledge, showing off, or insulting others

Is considered forbidden and a condemned education. This type of knowledge can be titled as “Non- Islamic” for the reason mentioned earlier. Continued…

Knowing Allah (MA’RIFAT) is the Best Knowledge Whatever knowledge brings a person closer to Allah (swt) mentally and spiritually is certainly the best knowledge. That is why religious education that leads to –knowing Allah (swt) (MA’RIFAT), –becoming closer to Allah (swt) –achieving higher levels of perfection is the best knowledge. This is what the purpose of our creation is all about.

We were created to reach the level of perfection. This is achieved by becoming closer to Allah, which in turn, comes from knowing Allah, (MA’RIFAT). This is the worship for which we were created. In every act of worship, we mention our intention, which is (QURBATAN ELA ALLAH) or, to achieve the nearness of Allah. Continued…

How Should I Learn? Organize your time and divide your responsibilities. Do not take on too many things which you cannot handle. It is said that to take on less, that the brain will retain, is better than taking on too much which the brain will forget. Focus on one subject rather than many subjects as it is difficult to focus on many subjects at once.

Use as Many Senses as Possible Reading out loud is better than reading silently because the eyes, ears, and the tongue are all being used. Practice writing in your studies. The Prophet (S) says, “Lock your knowledge.” When he was asked how to do so, he replied, “By writing (recording) it.” Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) says, “You will not memorize until you write.” By writing, the skin and the muscles are also used.

Discussion and Teaching Imam Ali (a.s.) says, “Whoever exchanges his knowledge will never forget his knowledge, and will learn what he ignored.” The more you teach the more your mind opens up and the more you learn. Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) says, “Abundance of looking into knowledge opens the mind.” There is a famous Hadeeth that says, “Purification of knowledge comes by spreading it.” Purification means the knowledge becomes clearer and stronger.

Things Which Strengthen the Memory There are so many things which strengthen the memory and bring wisdom with understanding. These can be divided into three areas: 1-Spiritual: Reciting and memorizing the holy Qur’an, nighttime prayers, reciting duas, etc. 2-Mental: Since the nervous cells are like muscular cells, which become stronger with exercise, likewise the more a person uses his brain, the more it will become stronger. This happens through abundant reading and memorizing.

3-Physical (movement): Balance in sleeping habits. An active body makes an active brain. Continued…

Food Food affects the brain’s activity. Fasting brings wisdom. However, extreme lack of nutrients can cause disturbances in the function of the brain. Balance is what Islam teaches us. Eat and drink without exceeding the limits. There are narrations of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) that mention some foods which strengthen the memory such as: Eating raisins, lentils, quince, apples, pumpkins, pomegranates, vinegar, honey,…