Etiquette of the Learner

by Imam Badr Ad-Din Ibn Jama'ah al-Kinani, Shoaib Shah (Translator), Mariam Madge Conlan (Editor)

Ettiquete of the learner, is a work extracted from Qadi Ibn Jama’ah’s major contribution to the literature of adab: Tadhkirat as-Sami wa'l-Mutakallim fi Adab al-'Alim wa'l-Muta'allim (A Memorandum to the Listener and the Speaker on the Etiquette of the Scholar and the Learner).

Through it, he provided a detailed guide for both students and teachers to follow in order to bring their endeavours in line with the example depicted in Qur'an and sunnah.

Whether they are embarking upon the rigorous quest in pursuit of command of the Islamic sciences, or simply seeking to enhance their understanding of the religion, this work will impress upon readers the indispensable but oft-forgotten principle: etiquette comes before seeking knowledge, thus enabling them to truly benefit from their studies.

This abridged version of the text is aimed specifically at students of knowledge, focusing on the etiquette required for one to excel.

Genres: Islam

105 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Imam Badr ad-Din Ibrahim ibn Sa’d Allah ibn jama’ah al-Kinani was an eminent scholar of hadith, Jurisprudence and Qur’anic exegesis.

Born in 639 AH/1241 in Hama, he went on to become a distinguished Shafii jurist under the Mamluks. Throughout his lengthy service in the judiciary, he was Known for his virtuousness, praiseworthy conduct, and just rulings.

He passed away in 733AH/1333 in Cairo. His works include: Al-Manhar ar-Rawi, Al-Fawaid al-La'i'ah min Surat al-Fatihah,At-Tibyan li-Muhimmat al-Qur’an, Al-Masalik fi Ulum al-Manasik and An-Najm al-Lami fi Sharh Jam’ al-Jawami.

Reviews

[Nurul Suhadah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, but important and meaningful. As a learner, we need to have the right etiquette in learning. The word 'learner' itself carry heavy meaning.

This book written by an eminent scholar of hadith, jurisprudence and Quranic exegesis Imam Badr ad-Din Ibrahim ibn Sa'd Allah ibn Jama'ah al-Kinani. He served in the judiciary and well known for his virtuousness, praiseworthy conduct abd apposite rulings.

This book have 6 chapters contains the important of knowledge and etiquette as student, etiquette towards teachers, lessons, books and institutions.

My favourite chapters is etiquette towards books. Sometime we regard it as small things, but it is very important. It has its own value.

"Etiquette comes before seeking knowledge"

[Nasria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little book which contains some nice quotes. A short read. I'd recommend it to a student to read at the beginning of their year of study/ course.
Adab is important, so I value this book.
Rating is 3/5 purely because it's short so it hasn't got much depth- not necessarily a bad thing.

[Wayfarer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The full title of this work would be roughly translated as: "A memorandum to the Listener and the Speaker on the Etiquette of the Scholar and the Learner" - this short work is essentially a guide to: 'how to learn', through best practice, namely that is through the etiquettes and propriety of a student towards himself (the students' attitude to learning), his teachers, his studies & lessons, towards the tools of learning (namely books). The last two chapters of the book (Etiquette with Books and Etiquette in Institute) are perhaps the least relevant to our times, due to the specific historical time-bound nature of the advice contained. This book is highly recommended for all pupils and beginning students, especially those engaging in Islamic learning or studies.

[Owais · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, precise manual on the ettiquettes of seekers. It collects profound quotes, excerpts from poems, and verses from sacred texts to firmly establish qualities that will aid the reader in his endeavour to the noble pursuit of studying sacred knowledge.

Despite the quality of its content and accuracy (as far as I’m aware) of the translation, some sections particularly around the ettiquette around religious institutions may be in need of elaboration for contemporary audiences (perhaps by a footnote or two), given the uniquely different context the book was authored in. Some segments were not very clear, and could do with editorial clarification. Additionally, the text claims to be an abridgement, but it wasn’t clear on what elements of the original were exactly abridged. Further, the editors claimed to have removed fabricated ‘ahadith’, but I’m not sure how I feel about such a change, or what the dominant scholarly position on editing texts in such a manner is - so I can’t comment. But it did stand out to me.

Nevertheless, it was an insightful and refreshing read; one that we are in dire need of in the condition we found ourselves in - far removed from the embodiment of the noble art which is religious ettiquette. In that sense, the book is a must read for every sincere student of knowledge.

[адэм · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief rundown of important points of etiquette for the student of knowledge. The book is broken up into 6 main chapters starting with scriptural/historical reports regarding the virtue of knowledge and scholars within Islam (perhaps my favorite chapter), followed by points of etiquette of the student within himself, towards his teacher, with his studies/lessons, with books, and finally within the institute. Keeping in mind that this work was written between the 13-14th century CE, some points brought up may seem outdated or irrelevant to many readers, especially if one is not on the path to serious scholarship. Regardless, this still is a vital work for any Muslim who wishes to take their studies seriously and with the proper care that knowledge seeking deserves. As a famous proverb mentioned in this book argues, a point which I've frequently heard from numerous teachers both online and in person: Knowledge will not give you even a portion of itself until you give yourself to it completely.

[Omar Alsibaie · Rating 5 out of 5]

الأدب قبل الطلب

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the translation of many Islamic scriptures