Personal Study Plan

Assalamu 'alaykum,

The following is a very basic study plan for those who wish to study Islam via English. This is not for the serious student of knowledge but for someone wishing to study Islam in a more systematic manner.

Study Plan

This is a study plan for those who work/study full time.

Essential Booklist:

Qur’an:

· How to approach and understand the Qur’an – J.Zarabozo

· Introduction to the sciences of the Qur’an. – Yasir Qadhi.

· Etiquettes of the bearers of the Qur’an – Imam Aajurri (al Qur’an Society).

· Tafseer Ibn Katheer/In the shade of the Qur’an (Sayyid Qutb) (Juzz Amma).

Sunnah:

· The authority and importance of the Sunnah – J.Zarabozo.

· Commentary of Imam- an-Nawawi’s forty hadeeth: Compendium of knowledge & wisdom – Ibn Rajab. Or J.Zarabozo’s three volume commentary.

· Introduction to the science of hadith – S.Hasan. (al Qur’an Society)

· Textbook of Hadith studies – Hashim Kamali

· Nukhbatul Fikr – Ibn Hajar. (This has to be studied with a teacher).

‘Aqeedah:

· Explanation of the three fundamental principles - Ibn ‘Uthaymeen.

· Explanation of Kitaab at-Tawheed – Sa’adi (preferably studied with a teacher)

· The ‘Aqeedah Series by Sulayman al Ashqar.

· Al ‘Aqeedah al Waasitiyyah – Ibn Taymiyyah. (This has to be studied with a teacher. An audio explanation is available by Ali Tamimi and Abu Talha).

Fiqh:

· Manhaj as-Salikeen – Sa’adi

· ‘Umdatul Fiqh – Ibn Qudamah.

· Buloogh al Maram. (all three need to be studied with a teacher.)

History/Seerah:

· Lessons from the Seerah – Mustafa Siba’I.

· Seerah of Muhammad (saw) – Ali as-Sallaabi (3 vol) Darus-Salam.

Arabic Studies:

· Medinah Books

· Al Ajaroomiyyah.

The above is a very concise list of books that you should have to study from. Naturally there are a plethora of other books you can read for each subject, but these books should act as your pillars of knowledge. I have put the books in order of what book you should study first. (The order of the subjects was written randomly)

Devising a timetable:

Adhering to a timetable requires:

1. Dedication

2. Consistency

3. Discipline

4. Patience

Sit down for a while and ponder over the above four terms.

Ideally you should be studying a number of different subjects per week. Some are of the view that you should stick to one book and not move to another book until you have finished the first book, otherwise one’s reading could get confused and information muddled up. However the benefit of studying a number of subjects per week prevents boredom and makes reading more of an enjoyable and refreshing experience.

Remember to base your timetable around the lessons you already attend. Some of you will be attending the 40 Hadith and ‘Umdah class so make these two subjects the major subjects for your weekly studies. Add to that, the Arabic language.

Try and make one of subjects that you will be studying based on an audio explanation (e.g. al ‘Aqqedah al Waasitiyyah – Abu Talha). This will make your studying experience more dynamic and enjoyable.

The following is an example of what your timetable should be like:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
‘Umdah Class	How to Approach. 10 Pages The Authority of Sunah 10 Pages	Expl. 3 Fundamentals. 15 Pages. Memorise Hadith for Friday.	Revise Hadith memorization. Arabic H/W	40 Hadith Class. Arabic H/W	Arabic Class. Lessons of Sirah: 15 pages.	Revise ‘Umdah class and re-write notes.

· The above is only an example of how your timetable should look like.

It is important that when you are reading you set yourself a target of how much you should be reading. Always set yourself goals, as this will make you feel as though you are achieving something and therefore make it less likely for you to give up and feel de-motivated.

Remember, when setting your reading targets, be realistic! Start off with a comfortable amount for each reading session and if you find you are consistent in reaching your target; increase your reading target by a few pages.

· Have a monthly review of your reading achievements.

· NOTE TAKING: This is a science in and of itself. The aim in note taking is to be as minimal as possible. This is enable to revise the information you have studied very quickly and hence making the intake of knowledge easier. Note taking from textbooks is essentially summarising the text in front of you. If you find you are writing too much, then find ways of cutting out non-essential information or leaving out information that you already know very well.

· When completing a chapter in a book, pause and reflect on what you have learnt. If you have a friend, brother, sister, wife etc, sit them down and summarise to them what you have learnt from that chapter. If you have no one, try and jot down the main points from memory. Keep a hold of these chapter summarisations as they are an excellent way of revising.

· Always remember to read the Qur’an every day. Set yourself a wird, which is a fixed amount of Qur’an you set for yourself. The Qur’an is divided into juz’ / hizb (half’s and quarters). Set a target for memorization on a daily basis alongside revision. Remember, revision is just as important as memorization.

· With your reading, try and have a ‘casual’ reading book. Ideally this is a book that should give you spiritual nourishment. Have it by your side at home/work at all times. Whenever you have 5-10 minutes pick it up and read it.

· Finally, remember to seek Allah’s (swt) assistance in your studies. Make du’a constantly that He increases your knowledge and makes the knowledge that you gain beneficial for you in this dunya and akhirah.

Wa billahi at-Tawfeeq

And from Allah (swt) comes success.

Study Plan