This article is quoted from the famous book by Imam Ibn Al-Jauziy with the title Shaidul Khathir: How Intelligent People Win in Life. According to Dr. 'Aidh Abdullah Al-Qarni, this book inspired him to write the book “"Do not be sad”" which become best seller in several countries including Indonesia.
Imam Ibn al-Jauziy is known as a brilliant scholar. He was known as a scholar whose heart and soul were always called to correct things considered odd and deviating from the commands of the Quran and Sunnah. Ibn al-Jauziy was also considered an expert in concocting recipes that could cure all kinds of heart ailments. In particular, his advice and recipes for young Muslims in seeking knowledge. Here is his message, specifically to young people, regarding preserving knowledge.
Understand that a student needs a considerable amount of time to study. It would be a mistake to simply repeat what has been learned day and night (meaning without putting it into practice). Such people will stop at one stage and will be unable to pursue higher ideals.
It is said that a doctor entered Abu Bakr ibn al-Anbari's room when he was about to die. He saw a hundred books. He said, "You have done something that no one else has ever done." The doctor then left, saying, "Nothing happened to him!" As he left, someone asked al-Anbari, "What exactly did you do?" Al-Anbari said, “Every week I read one hundred thousand pages of books.”
One should do everything within one's capacity. If one pushes oneself beyond one's limits, one will undoubtedly waste time needlessly. This is like someone with a voracious appetite. Excessive greed for food can result in the person no longer being able to enjoy food due to the illness that afflicts them.
The correct and wise thing is to always adapt to the level of ability and save the remaining strength to face the long future. Perseverance will be more beneficial than forcing yourself into something and going too far. How many people have left memorizing for so long, when repeating it again feels difficult.
Memorizing has its time, the best time being at a young age. Likewise, the best time to review is before dawn or very early in the morning. Reviewing a lesson in the early morning is better than at night. Furthermore, an empty stomach is better than a full one.
Memorizing in shady, green places or along the beach is not ideal, as the scenery draws too much attention and can disrupt concentration. High places are better than low ones. Being alone is also very beneficial for memorization. And most importantly, a strong desire is essential.
It takes one day a week to calm the mind, so that the memorization sticks, like a building that's left for a day to straighten, only to be rebuilt. Memorizing little by little but consistently is very good. Don't start a new memorization before you've completely mastered the old one.
If the soul is not passionate about memorizing, do not memorize because it will not be properly recorded in the brain. Improving one's diet is also necessary because food has an impact on memorization. Zuhri said, "I have never eaten vinegar since I memorized." He then asked Abu Hanifah, "How can someone memorize fiqh so easily?" He replied, "With a strong desire."“
Hammad bin Salamah's answer was "With a minimum of anxiety." Regarding this, Makhul said, "Whoever has clean clothes will be less anxious, and whoever always has fragrant clothes will increase his intelligence. And whoever combines the two will have a more mature personality.
I advise novice students to delay marriage as much as possible. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal did not marry until he was forty. This was necessary to concentrate. If they cannot bear it, they can marry while still striving to seek and increase knowledge. After that, consider what knowledge they can master, because human life is precious, and knowledge is abundant.
Many people waste their time acquiring knowledge that is less important than the many other knowledge they should prioritize. While all knowledge is good, the wisest approach is to prioritize the most important. The best knowledge to prioritize is memorizing the Quran, Hadith, and Fiqh, with the rest being supplementary.
Whoever is given guidance by Allah, he will be shown the right path without needing much proof. Whoever hopes for Allah's approval with knowledge, he will surely be given the best guidance, as His Word says, "Be fearful of Allah and Allah will teach you."“ (Al-Baqarah [2]: 282)
