Advice from Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Marzouq Al-Banaa to the Student of Knowledge
As Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh. May Allah have mercy upon me, you and all of the Muslims. Ameen.
As I entered the masjid for our class with our Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Marzouq Al-Banaa, may Allah preserve him, I saw him praying. After I offered my prayer of greeting the masjid, I greeted the Shaykh, and kissed his head. We talked about how each of us spent our Eid and the conditions of our families. After this the Shaykh began to drink his tea, which was prepared for him. I asked the Shaykh, how does one become a strong student, treading the path of seeking knowledge? The Shaykh replied, Patience (Sabr). He said this 3 times. He said patience with Allah, in good and bad times, patience with yourself, patience with ease and with hardships, patience with your family and friends, patience with knowledge, patience with the Qur'aan. Patience with learning the arabic language. I thanked the Shaykh and returned to my place of sitting.
After a short while, the Shaykh motioned to me to come to him. He told me, not to waste time. He told me to guard my time from the time wasters. He told me not to waste my time with that which won’t bring about any benefit. Guard your time against your desires. Give knowledge all of your time. Tire yourself with seeking knowledge. Do not become distracted by those who want to take your knowledge. Once again I thanked the Shaykh and returned to my place of sitting.
After a short period, the Shaykh motioned to me again to come to him. He told me to engulf yourself in reading the Qur'aan. He said to read the Qur'aan in abundance, over and over and over. He said to read the Qur'aan when you wake from your sleep, read the Qur'aan before you go to bed. The more you read the Qur'aan, the better you will become in the arabic language. So constantly read the Qur'aan.
He also told me to listen to the tapes of the Ulemaa (major scholars), from the likes of Shaykh Al-Albaanee, Shaykh Al-Uthaymeen, Shaykh Ibn Baaz, and Shaykh Saalih Aali Shaykh.
Later on the Shaykh was asked about the Rights of the Qur'aan. Is it to read it or to memorize it?
He, the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him said, one should read the Qur'aan. The Qur'aan is to be read. To memorize it is good. But if it can’t be memorized, so read it. Read it in your prayer, before you sleep, when you wake, before prayer and after prayer. Always have a mushaf (copy of the Qur'aan) near you, everywhere. In Shaa Allah.
He, the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him said, one should read the Qur'aan. The Qur'aan is to be read. To memorize it is good. But if it can’t be memorized, so read it. Read it in your prayer, before you sleep, when you wake, before prayer and after prayer. Always have a mushaf (copy of the Qur'aan) near you, everywhere. In Shaa Allah.
