Manners of Islamic Knowledge (Workbook)

AVAILABLE in print (paperback & hardcover) worldwide from Amazon, see this: https://www.bakkah.net/en/new-publication-manners-of-islamic-knowledge-official-workbook.htm

Once, the great scholar of Egypt, Layth ibn Sa’d (d.175, may Allah have Mercy on him), saw some inappropriate behavior from some students of knowledge, so he said to them: "What is this?! You need of a little bit of manners more than you need a lot of knowledge!"

If the people of the past would focus so heavily on shortcomings and weaknesses within the manners of the learners, actively addressing and resolving those things, among those amazing early generations where knowledge was alive and thriving, then what about today, in our era of overwhelming neglect and widespread heedlessness?! We have a much greater need to refine our manners and improve our approach to seeking Islamic knowledge!

With the right manners and approach, the heart becomes prepared to absorb the finest of teachings in the best way, leading to the best application. Without the proper approach, the best teachings can be undervalued, unappreciated, or even abandoned after they are learned. Magnificent teachings that could pave a man’s way to Paradise are sadly turned against him as proofs, condemning him and destroying him! Some people of knowledge are the first ones to be tossed into the Hellfire on the Day of Judgment! This is a truly frightening reality, something about which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) warned us:

• A man sought [Islamic] knowledge, taught it, and recited the Quran, and so he is brought forth. He (Allah) makes him aware of His blessings, and so he acknowledges them. He asks, ‘What did you do with them?’ He replies, ‘I learned [Islamic] knowledge and taught it, and I read the Quran, for You!’ ‘You have lied,’ He says, ‘You only learned so it would be said that you were a scholar; you only read the Quran so it would be said that you were a reciter. And so those things were said.’ He is then seized and dragged upon his face, until he is tossed into the Hellfire! (Saheeh Muslim)

So consider carefully that a person can be academically accomplished and widely recognized for Islamic knowledge, yet he is nothing but fuel for the Hellfire! We can see clearly that mere academic achievement does not mean salvation in the Hereafter. True salvation requires sincerity and other essential manners along with authentic knowledge.

We ask Allah to aid us all in our attainment and application of beneficial knowledge. We are certainly in need of the most essential reminders about how to approach and benefit from knowledge of Islam in the best way. This text, Min Aadaab al-Mu’allimeen wal-Muta’allimeen, is a fantastic beginning to such a noble path, providing healthy guidance on the topic, rooted in the solid scholarly insight of a great imaam in Islamic knowledge, Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa’dee (may Allah have Mercy on him).

In this workbook, you will find the entire text along with ample space for note taking during classes. The 21 main points and their headings are actually from Shaykh ‘Abdus-Salaam ibn Burjis (may Allah have Mercy on him), where he included this text at the back end of his tremendous book, ‘Awaa’iq at-Talab, adding the headings for clarity. That book was translated into English by our brother, Ustaadh Qaasim Mutiva (may Allah preserve him and enable him to aid his brothers and sisters in the best ways), under the English title, Obstacles in the Path of Seeking Knowledge.

Additionally, appendices including the entire text of Aadaab al-Mu’allimeen wal-Muta’allimeen in Arabic (both voweled and unvoweled versions), as well as the uninterrupted English translation, are all found in the back of this workbook.

This workbook was not intended for independent self-study, rather students of Islamic knowledge study texts under scholars and qualified teachers. This effort is intended to assist you in such a study. If you cannot find any such scholar or qualified teacher explaining this text, then you may opt to study the classes I teach at Masjid as-Sahaaba in Columbus Ohio. The recordings of those ongoing classes are being made available in different ways:

• On the 1MM Spreaker Channel (www.spreaker/user/radio1mm) [re-mastered audio]
• On our Patreon channel (www.patreon.com/1MMeducation) [live & recorded video]
• By Masjid as-Sahaaba as well (masjidassahaba.mixlr.com) [live audio]

This PDF version, a "Print Replica" edition (similar to the Kindle version available), will be useful to those who have tablets which allow the user to write notes on the page, in shaa' Allah. Also, those who live in countries where it is difficult or not possible to order the print edition may find benefit in this electronic version. Otherwise, we recommend the high-quality print version of this workbook for all those who can get a copy. A paperback version is suitable for most students; a hardcover version is also available. There is also a digital print-replica edition available for Kindle devices.