Book Recommendation | A Guide for the Seeker of Knowledge

One dilemma that the student of knowledge faces in his journey to seek knowledge is where to start from and how to progress. With ease of access to resources and with plentiful resources this dilemma is met with yet another: What path to choose. 

I’ve come across dozens upon dozens of ṭalab al-ʿilm curriculums suggested by scholars, each differing just enough but each aiming to equip the student with the right knowledge and tools. The biggest mistake a student can make is to start on one, decide another approach is better for him, switch to that and then continue to do so until he’s studied half of one beginner compendium about a dozen times and not much else.

My advice is to pick one programme and then stick to it. The time you spend on deciding and hesitating and shopping around is time wasted. Start promptly, start with determination and once your start, stick to your programme. 

If I could recommend one such resource, it would be the book pictured in this post. 

It is not perfect, but for the most part it is excellent. 

The book is divided into the different sciences that are studied by the student of knowledge. Under each of these sciences, the author shares a recommended approach to gaining knowledge and then advancing in that field. He breaks down each science into different levels (beginner, intermediate, and so on) and he offers an extensive reading list for each science. 

The author starts with the lightest chapter: a reading programme for Tarbiya and Tazkiya. He then delves into ʿaqīdah and then all other sciences after that. From Tajwīd to tafsīr; sciences of Ḥadīth to Ḥadīth; language and grammar to Arabic poetry and he also includes a section for each of the four legal schools of thought (madhāhib).

Though I do not recommend this book if you are just starting out (in which case you need an actual teacher/institute who can mentor you), but if you’ve found your footing, then this book is superb. 

I love the reading recommendations included in this book and I absolutely love the guide to reading Ibn Tayimiyah and Ibn Al-Qayyim’s book provided at the end. 

This book is a gem, if you think it is right for you then I highly recommend that you get it. 

The book is titled ‘السبل المرضية لطلب العلوم الشرعية’ by Aḥmed Sālim. 

Note: This book is in Arabic, the study programmes suggested within are also in Arabic.