“Here are selected beneficial insights from the words of the scholars, the books of knowledge, and whatever benefits come to mind.” — Ibn ʿAqīl, al-Funūn
Riyadh — London
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Manners of the Student of Knowledge: Writing Down Benefits
al-Nawawi:
“He should not belittle any benefit that he sees or hears in any field whatsoever. Rather, he should hasten to write it down, then remain consistent in reviewing what he has written.”
(al-Majmu 1/89)
The Generosity of Imam Shu'bah Ibn al-Hajjaj
Abu al-Nadhr said:
“Whenever Shuʿbah travelled by boat with a group of people, he would pay the fare for everyone.”
(al-Jarh wal-Taʿdil of Ibn Abi Hatim 1/173)
Overlook People's Flaws When Their Good Qualities Are Abundant
Imam Malik narrated that al-Qasim ibn Muhammad used to say, "Among men are those whose flaws are not mentioned."
Muhammad ibn Rushd (al-Jadd) explained:
"Al-Qasim's statement is correct, the meaning of it is what Malik said that when a flaw is minor and a person's overall conduct is good and upright, a minor flaw is not mentioned, since no one is entirely free of such flaws, given the abundance of his good qualities."
(al-Bayan wal-Tahsil 18/409)
Note: Al-Qasim Ibn Muhammad is the grandson of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radiyallahu anhu). He was from the Imams of the Tabi'in in Madinah and one of the Seven Fuqaha (Jurists).
Arabic Poetry: Make the Most of Your Time and Opportunities
The poet said:
إِذا هَبَّت رياحُك فاغْتنمْها
فإن لكل خافقة سكونُ
ولا تغفل عن الإحسان فيها
فما تدري السكونُ متى يكونُ
When your winds begin to blow, seize the opportunity,
For after every gust of wind comes stillness.
Do not neglect to do good during them,
For you do not know when the stillness will come.
Explanation:
Make the most of your time and opportunities while you have them, because they will not always be there. When you have free time, energy, good health and a sharp mind, use them to seek knowledge and do good before you lose these blessings or become occupied with other things.
The Wisdom Behind the Order of Chapters in Fiqh Books
The chapters of fiqh are carefully arranged, taking things step by step and building on what comes before. The books of the different madhhabs generally follow the same order, with slight differences in arrangement.
Imam Siraj al-Din al-Bulqini al-Shafi‘i discussed the wisdom behind this arrangement in the books of the Shafi‘i madhhab.
Read the English summary or download the full Arabic PDF here:
t.me/AbuMuhammadWalid
Yahya ibn Mu‘adh al-Razi said:
“Let your conduct towards a believer consist of three things: if you do not benefit him, then at least do not harm him; if you do not bring him joy, then at least do not grieve him; and if you do not speak well of him, then at least do not speak ill of him.”
(al-Zuhd wal-Raqaiq of al-Khatib al-Baghdadi no. 91)
The Comfort Found in Surah Yusuf
Ibn Ata’ said: “No one who is sad and sorrowful listens to Surah Yusuf except that he finds comfort in it.”
(Tafsir al-Sam‘ani 3/6)
Imam Ahmad on Knowing Yourself and People's Praise
al-Marrudhi said to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on them both:
"I hope that people are supplicating for you in every city."
Imam Ahmad replied:
"O Abu Bakr, when a man knows himself, what benefit is there in what people say about him?"
Siyar A'lam al-Nubala (11/211).
Imam Ahmad: “I Meet Some Brothers Once a Year, Yet Our Love Is Stronger Than with Those I Meet Daily”
Abu Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam visited Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal at his home and said: “If I were to visit you as you deserve to be visited, I would come to you every day.”
Imam Ahmad replied:
“Do not say that. I have brothers whom I meet only once a year, yet our love for one another is stronger than with those whom I meet every day.”
(Manaqib Imam Ahmad by Ibn al-Jawzi pg. 152)
Two other benefits from the same narration:
— Ahmad seated his guest at the head of the sitting area. When his guest said that the owner of the house had more right to it, Ahmad replied that the owner may sit there himself or seat whomever he wishes.
— When his guest got up to leave, Ahmad stood up with him, mentioning al-Sha'bi's saying that part of honouring a guest is to walk with him to the door.
Scholars Continue Their Dawah Even When Their Gatherings Are Small: Do Not Be Deceived by Numbers
Imam al-Awzaʿi said:
“At the time of his death, ʿAtaʾ ibn Abi Rabah was the most beloved person on earth to the people, yet only eight or nine people would attend his gatherings.”
(Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala 5/84)
Notes:
1) ʿAtaʾ was one of the greatest scholars of the Tabiʿin and a reference point for the Muslims, to the extent that the rulers would have a caller announce during Hajj: “No one is to give fatwa to the people except ʿAtaʾ ibn Abi Rabah.”
2) This narration shows that this is not a new problem. Although people may love and respect scholars, seek their fatwas and advice, few actually sit with them and learn from them. The same was true of the gatherings of Ibn Baz, Ibn ʿUthaymin and al-Albani, as mentioned by their students. Despite some large gatherings, most were attended by only a few people.
Be Easy and Respectful with Your Shaykh, and Do Not Make Yourself Difficult to Deal With
al-Zuhri narrated from Abu Salamah ibn Abdul-Rahman ibn Awf that he said:
“If only I had been gentle with Ibn Abbas, I would have gained a great deal of knowledge from him.”
(Musnad al-Darimi no. 426)
al-Zuhri explained:
“Abu Salamah used to debate Ibn Abbas, and because of that he was deprived of a great deal of knowledge.”
(al-Tarikh al-Kabir by al-Bukhari 1/160)
al-Zuhri also said:
“Abu Salamah would constantly question Ibn Abbas, so he would not share much of his knowledge with him. Ubayd Allah [ibn Abdullah b. Utbah), however, would be gentle with him, and so he would teach him generously.”
(al-ʿIlal wa Maʿrifat al-Rijal 1/186, and Tabaqat Ibn Saʿd 7/246)
Abu Salamah ibn Abdul-Rahman ibn Awf and Ubayd Allah ibn Abdullah ibn Utbah are from the major scholars of the Tabi‘in.
Ibn Kathir: A Dangerous Matter to Be Avoided — Do Not Think Well of Wicked People
Hafidh Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) said:
“Allah, the Most High, drew attention to the characteristics of the hypocrites so that the believers would not be deceived by their outward appearance. Otherwise, this would lead to great corruption by not being cautious of them and by considering them to be believers, while in reality they are disbelievers. This is among the major matters that must be avoided: thinking well of wicked people.
Allah, the Most High, said:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
‘And among mankind are those who say, ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day,’ while in fact they are not believers.’ (al-Baqarah)”
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
Abu Muhammad Walid Ashor retweeted
📢NEW ANNOUNCEMENT📢
✨ Alhamdulillah! We are delighted to announce that our beloved Shaykh Dr. Khalid Al-Dhafiri @almadani_k will be visiting us once again for another beneficial conference, Inshaa Allaah.
🗓 Friday, 28th – Sunday, 30th August 2026
We welcome our brothers and sisters from the UK and beyond!
Details on poster ⬇️
