As for the books on which you should rely in the various disciplines, this is a broad subject. It also varies according to where a person grows up: knowledge, or particular methods and approaches to acquiring it, may be available to him in one land but not in another. Yet the key to all good is to seek Allah’s help in acquiring the knowledge inherited from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), for this is what truly deserves to be called knowledge. Anything else is either knowledge that brings no benefit, or not knowledge at all, even if it is called such. If it is beneficial knowledge, then the legacy of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) must contain something comparable and better that makes it unnecessary.

His aim should be to understand the Messenger’s intent in his commands, prohibitions, and all his other statements. Once his heart is assured that this is what the Messenger intended, he should not depart from it, either in his relationship with Allah Most High or in his dealings with people, whenever he is able to do so. In every branch of knowledge, he should strive to hold firmly to a foundation transmitted from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

If he is uncertain about a matter over which people have differed, let him offer the supplication narrated by Muslim in his Sahīh from ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who reported that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) rose to pray at night, he would say:

“O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Michael, and Isrāfīl, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen! You judge between Your servants concerning that over which they differed. Guide me, by Your permission, to the truth concerning which they have differed. Indeed, You guide whom You will to a straight path.”

For Allah Most High