*The Importance of Reflection and Contemplation*
By: Muaz Haider
3rd Ramadan 1447 AH
Mental exercise and intellectual effort increase quick understanding, enhance brainpower, and matters processed through this stage are often remembered. The *"deductive efforts"* of *Islamic Jurists* are the result of contemplating principles. In the academic world, *"reflection"* is given the status of an independent process. *Hazrat Al-Ustaz Bahrul Uloom Maulana Nematullah Azmi Sahib -Damat Barkatuhum-* has repeatedly emphasized this.
After reaching a certain stage, meanings and concepts begin to become clear simply by contemplating the texts. Practicing this in the initial stages yields countless benefits. In the past, it was customary to cultivate the habit of reading books without commentaries under the supervision of a teacher.
*Hazrat Sheikh Al-Hadith Maulana Zakariya Sahib Kandhlawi -Rahimahullah-* wrote about the teaching method of *his esteemed father; Maulana Yahya Sahib -Noor Allah Marqaduhu-*:
"In books of literature, he (his father) was against teaching from annotated books. The "Maqamat" that I read... had neither any commentary nor diacritics. He wrote and taught the "Sab'a Mu'allaqat" with his own blessed hand because the existing "Sab'a Mu'allaqat" were all annotated. Similarly, the entire "Mutanabbi" written by his own hand is still available."
(Autobiography: 1/74)
This approach is a means of developing intelligence. Avoiding contemplation for solving expressions and developing a habit of relying on commentaries or even lower-level resources is extremely detrimental to "intelligence."
Without contemplating the text itself, the problem may be solved with the help of related materials, but it is not lasting.
*Hazrat Al-Ustaz Mufti Nazir Sahib Qasmi -Damat Barkatuhum-* often used to say: "Things that are easily obtained are easily forgotten."