Amma ba'd
Memorization or Fahm (Understanding): Which Takes Preference?, by Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee (rahimahullaah)
Excerpts:
quote:
The most important thing is to understand the text and understand its meaning. If a person can memorise and understand then this is good but if not, then precedence is given to understanding, precedence is given to understanding.
The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
"May Allaah brighten the face of a person who hears my words, and memorises them, and conveys them to someone who did not hear them. It is possible that the transmitter of knowledge does not himself understand it, and he may transmit knowledge to others who are more knowledable. The heart of a Muslim should never harbor malice against three things: sincerity in actions performed solely for Allaah's sake, advising the Muslim leaders, and clinging to the community of believers. For truly their call encompasses the rest of the people."[2]
quote:
The fourth angle: It is upon the student of knowledge to supplicate to Allaah that He bestows upon him the understanding of His Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet, and that he give him understanding of the religion. The Prophet said: "If Allaah wants good for someone, He gives him correct understanding of the religion."[3]
[2] Reported by Ibn Abdil Barr in the book 'Fadl al-Ilm'. (Refer to Saheeh al-Jaami', Hadeeth no. 6766).
[3] Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Subhanak Allaahuma wa bihamdika ash-hadu anlaa illaaha illa anta astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk
If I said anything correct, then it is from Allaah (subhanahu wa taa'ala), and if I erred, then that is from me and shaytan.