How Should a Student of Knowledge Read Books? || AMAU Live

Summary

The speaker discusses their book reading approach, which involves initially examining the title, author, contents, introduction, and a sample chapter. They emphasize the importance of structuring a reading program into systematic and free reading. Systematic reading refers to a curriculum-based study plan, which should be regularly revisited. Free reading is more flexible and can be semi-systematic or completely free, depending on the reader's interest and the book's relevance to their studies.

Takeaways

• 📚 Start by examining the book's title, author, contents, index, introduction, and a sample chapter to get a preliminary understanding before delving into the full text.
• 🔍 A reading program can be structured into two main parts: 'free reading' and 'systematic reading', each serving different purposes in one's intellectual journey.
• 📈 Systematic reading involves revisiting a curriculum of essential books on a regular basis, such as every six months or yearly, to reinforce foundational knowledge.
• 📖 Free reading is more flexible and can be divided into 'semi-systematic' and 'completely free' categories, depending on the reader's engagement with the material.
• 🎓 Semi-systematic free reading is when you read a series of books or works by a particular author in a structured manner, but without the intention of revisiting them regularly.
• 📖 Completely free reading is for books that catch your interest, where you read them once, perhaps make notes, and then set them aside without a plan to re-read.
• 🔄 The idea of revisiting a curriculum is to ensure that core knowledge is consistently refreshed and retained over time.
• 🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a structured approach to reading, which can help in managing and prioritizing one's learning and intellectual development.
• 📈 The speaker suggests that a well-thought-out reading program can help in integrating new knowledge with existing understanding, thus enhancing overall learning outcomes.
• 📝 Making notes and summaries is encouraged during free reading to capture insights and key points from books that are read out of personal interest.

Q & A

What is the first step the speaker suggests before reading a book?

The speaker suggests starting by looking at the title and the author, which is on the front page of the book.

Why does the speaker recommend looking at the contents, index, introduction, or preface of a book before reading it?

Looking at these sections gives a good idea of what the book contains and helps decide whether to read the entire book or delay reading it for some time.

What is the purpose of reading a sample chapter according to the speaker?

Reading a sample chapter helps to understand the content and style of the book, which can inform the decision on whether it fits into one's reading program.

What does the speaker mean by 'structuring a reading program'?

Structuring a reading program refers to dividing reading into systematic and free reading, with systematic reading following a curriculum and free reading being more flexible.

How often does the speaker suggest revisiting the systematic reading curriculum?

The speaker suggests re-reading the curriculum on a regular basis, such as every six months or every year.

What are the two types of free reading mentioned by the speaker?

The two types of free reading mentioned are semi-systematic free reading, where one reads a series of books in a structured way, and completely free reading, where one reads a book out of interest without the intention of revisiting it.

How does the speaker define 'semi-systematic free reading'?

'Semi-systematic free reading' is defined as reading a set of books in a structured manner, but not necessarily revisiting them as part of a curriculum.

What is an example of 'completely free reading' according to the speaker?

An example of 'completely free reading' is when one picks up an interesting book, reads it, and then puts it back on the shelf without the intention of re-reading it frequently.

Why is it beneficial to have a regular revisiting schedule for systematic reading, according to the speaker?

Regularly revisiting systematic reading helps to reinforce and update the core knowledge in each Islamic science and ensures consistency in one's studies.

What is the main difference between systematic reading and free reading as described in the script?

Systematic reading follows a curriculum and is revisited regularly, while free reading is more flexible and does not necessarily follow a set curriculum or require revisiting.