This is a poem that is one of the best of the poems that
I have seen quoting the manners of learning and the manners of acquiring
knowledge. I saw that I should quote it here due to its beauty and due to
the benefits I hoped would come about through it for the one who reads my
book and hoping that Allaah would benefit myself and him through it:
"Know that knowledge comes about through learning,
through memorisation, precision and understanding. Knowledge may be
granted to a young person and an old person may be prevented from it.
For indeed a person is according to two small parts of
the body (i.e., his heart and his tongue) and not according to his legs
and his arms - rather his tongue, and his heart that is built into his
chest. That is an amazing part of creation. So knowledge comes about
through understanding and revising and lessons, and through reflecting and
through discussing.
So it may be the case that a person attains great
memorisation and he can quote the text and repeat the wording but in
anything else he has no share of that which the well versed scholar
comprehends.
It may be the case that a person has great eagerness and
love for knowledge, and for memorisation, but his heart is dull-witted and
he is unable to memorise and narrate. He has no way to quote that which is
narrated, whereas another person is granted without effort memorisation of
that which occurs in the chain of narration. It agitates his heart without
troubling his eyes and he has no need of stores of books. So seek the
knowledge and seek it in a good manner and knowledge will not come about
except through manners.
The beneficial manners are fine behaviour, and in too
much speech there is hatred. So for as long as you live try to attain good
manners, you will be praiseworthy for as long as you remain. And if a
question appears amongst the people, something well-known from knowledge
or something newly raised up, then don't be the first person to give an
answer to it, until you have seen that somebody before you has spoken
about that.
Because how many examples there have been before us of
people in haste who speak without understanding and who speak erroneously,
and this has earned them ridicule in the gatherings with the people of
understanding and those who strive. Silence is truly a better adornment
for you if you do not have certain knowledge. And if you are uncertain
about a matter about which you are asked, then say, `For that which you
ask about I do not have any narration.' So this is half of knowledge with
the scholars, the wise people have not ceased saying this.
And beware of being pleased and amazed with the
excellence of your own opinion. And beware of giving an answer to
something which will be a mistake. How many answers have been followed by
regret, so seek the benefit of silence and being safe, for knowledge is an
ocean, the limit of it is very far away, it has no end point that you can
seek to reach and you have not gathered all of the knowledge, certainly
not, not even a tenth of it even if you collected all that you had. That
which remains for you is far more than that which you know, and even the
fastest horse sometimes stumbles.
And if you hear something that you do not understand then
ask for its meaning. The saying is two sayings, a saying which you will
understand, and a saying which you will not understand. Every saying will
have an answer covering that which is false and that which is true. For
speech there is a beginning and an end so understand the both of them and
let your mind be attentive.
Do not hasten to speak and do not hasten to return it
until it leads you to that which follows on from it. It may be the case
that the people of virtue are rendered unable to give an answer to
questions they are asked, and therefore withhold with silence from
answering when doubt comes to them regarding the answer. And even if a
saying is counted by the common people to be like pure silver, then
silence is from the purest gold.
So understand this, may Allaah guide you to the manners
of seeking knowledge."
