What if you could turn the dead minutes of your day into productive hours of seeking Islamic knowledge?
Many students today have access to more resources than ever before, yet still struggle to make the most of their time.
If you've ever wondered how to scoop out extra time from your busy schedule, this post will show you how. Let’s explore simple, practical ways to maximise every second and elevate your journey of learning.
The Blessing of Recordings and the Trap of Neglecting Them
Imagine a time when seeking knowledge meant travelling for days or weeks just to sit with a scholar.
As the Salaf used to say:
"إن العلم يؤتى ولا يأتي"
"Knowledge is sought; it does not come".
This was once true, but today, that same knowledge is just a click away, knocking on the doors of every Muslim household. With live streams and recordings of scholars, you can join a Dars in Madinah from the other side of the globe.
As students of knowledge, we must recognize the immense blessing these resources bring.
Whether you’re on the road or having a meal, simply listening to the lecture recordings and Fataawa of scholars like Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen and Shaykh Al-Albani—how they explained complex matters, tackled challenging questions, and approached various issues—offers countless benefits.
- The poet al-Amir As-San’ani beautifully expressed this in his Mandhoomah fi al-Hajj:
"فَمَنْ لَمْ يُجَرِّبْ لَيْسَ يَعْرِفُ قَدَرَهُ فَجَرِّبْ تَجِّدْ تَصْدِيقَ مَا قَدْ ذَكَرْنَاهُ"
"Whoever hasn’t experienced it doesn’t know its value. Try it, and you'll see the truth of what we've said."
If you're a student of knowledge and you're not benefiting from these recordings, you're missing out on one of the greatest tools available to you today. This treasure of knowledge is at your fingertips, so take advantage of it.
Explore recordings of scholars recommended by people of knowledge and listen to them during your free time.
If you're driving to university, work, or travelling by cab or metro, play programs such as Noor 'ala al-Darb and benefit from them.
While doing household chores, play the portion of the Qur’an or the Matn you're memorising and listen while cooking or cleaning.
Students of knowledge use time during commutes or school runs to listen to explanations of classical books such as Kitāb at-Tawheed and others, keeping their knowledge fresh and growing.
Between the Adhan and the Iqamah
One of the most overlooked yet productive times is between the Adhan and Iqamah. These few minutes hold great potential if used wisely. As a student of knowledge, this is your chance to turn idle moments into moments of benefit.
By simply reciting the Qur’an for 5-10 minutes between the Adhan and the Iqamah of every Salah, you can easily finish a Juz’.
There have been examples of people who used this time to memorise small portions of books like Riyadh As-Saliheen, which contains 1,896 hadiths. Through this consistent effort, they were able to complete the entire book.
These are just a few examples of how consistent effort, even in short periods, can lead to great benefits.
Rather than idly wasting time or relaxing between the Adhan and Iqamah, students of knowledge should make the most of these moments by reading, memorising, or reviewing beneficial knowledge.
The Importance of Free Reading
Many students of knowledge stick strictly to their formal studies, following the curriculum laid out by their teachers. While structured learning is essential, an important aspect of seeking knowledge is often overlooked: free reading, or Al-Qira'atul Hurrah.
Some students graduate from prestigious universities without ever developing the habit of reading independently.
They do not seek out the works of great scholars such as al-Mu’allimi, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Al-Qayyim, Al-Shatibi, az-Zarkashi, Ibn al-Mulaqqin, Ibn Kathir, Imam Nawawi, Muhammad Ibn al-Wazir al-Yamani and others.
Instead, students today often rely solely on what they are taught in their formal lessons.
The reality is, if you do not read widely, your knowledge will diminish. As a student of knowledge, you must cultivate a love for reading beyond the curriculum. Explore the works of these scholars, immerse yourself in their insights, and broaden your understanding of Islam. Al-Qiraatul Hurrah is not a luxury—it is a necessity for those who wish to excel.
Finding Relief in Knowledge
Seeking knowledge is a demanding journey. Students spend long hours sitting in front of scholars or online lectures, memorising and revising, attending programs, and reviewing what they've learned with peers. Naturally, breaks are needed to allow the mind and body to recover.
However, some scholars advise that even these moments of rest should not be disconnected from knowledge. During your breaks, instead of stepping away completely, turn to lighter readings that bring peace to the heart. Simple books on Seerah or Raqaa’iq (heart-softeners) are ideal for this purpose.
You may consider keeping a book like Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' on your nightstand or dining table, reading a few pages before bed or while having breakfast.
Do this consistently for some time and in a few years, you will be amazed to find out that you have finished the book.
When fatigue or illness makes it difficult to focus on deep study, opt for something lighter, like Tafseer al-Muyassar, and read for as long as you can comfortably manage.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, but try to fill every moment with knowledge that benefits you.
The Blessing of Discipline and Routine
A student of knowledge who uses their time wisely will not only succeed in their studies but also their life. Every moment can be an opportunity to learn. Consider the example of someone who memorises Riyadh As-Saliheen between the Adhan and Iqamah. It wasn’t just their knowledge that grew—it was their discipline and dedication to making the most of every moment.
Similarly, listening to recordings of scholars, engaging in free reading, and using idle moments for memorization or review can significantly boost a student’s progress. Knowledge is a lifelong journey, and those who build good habits early on will find that their efforts multiply over time.
Conclusion: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
In conclusion, many students fail to benefit from their time by neglecting valuable tools like recordings, overlooking the time between Adhan and Iqamah, or failing to engage in free reading. As students of knowledge, we must guard our time and use it in the most productive ways possible.
The great scholars of the past made every effort to increase their knowledge, and we should strive to do the same. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll find that your knowledge and understanding will grow, with the help of Allah.
May Allah bless your efforts and grant you success in your pursuit of knowledge.
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Take charge of your journey, deepen your understanding of Islamic sciences through authentic texts, and progress at your own pace. Start today and unlock the potential of every moment in your pursuit of knowledge.