MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA—Reading, for classical Islamic scholars, was never a passive activity. Instead, it formed the backbone of intellectual development and civilizational progress. That was the central message delivered by Nur Fajri Romadhon, Vice Chairperson of the Council for Religious Opinion and Reform of Muhammadiyah Provincial Board of Special Region of Jakarta. Nur Fajri delivered the message during a recent study session organized by KADAR in collaboration with Irfani Publisher on Thursday (30/3).
In his presentation, Nur Fajri outlined how the reading traditions of Muslim scholars shaped not only individual mastery of knowledge but also contributed to broader advancements in global activities.
He emphasized that reading methods in Islam are ijtihadi (open reinterpretation and adaptation) rather than taufiqi (fixed). In other words, there is no single prescribed method. However, the intellectual legacy of past scholars remains an important reference point.
Gradual Learning and Intellectual Openness
Drawing on the work of Ibn Khaldun in the Muqaddimah, Nur Fajri highlighted the importance of a gradual approach (tadarruj) to reading. Learners, he argued, should not begin with dense and complex texts without first building a solid foundation.
Instead, they should start with concise works to grasp the broader framework before progressing to more detailed material. Without this step-by-step process, readers risk losing the overall structure of knowledge and may abandon difficult texts prematurely.
At the same time, he warned against intellectual narrowness. While specialization is necessary, it should not isolate scholars from other fields. He pointed to figures such as Ibn Muflih, who maintained broad interdisciplinary insight despite having a primary area of expertise. Such openness, he noted, remains essential in addressing complex real-world issues.
Balancing Teacher and Independent Study
Furthermore, Nur Fajri stressed the importance of balancing direct learning from teachers with independent reading. Again referencing Ibn Khaldun, he explained that studying under a teacher forms the essential foundation, especially in the early stages.
However, as one’s intellectual capacity grows, independent reading gradually becomes more dominant.
“At a certain level, reading becomes more intensive than attending study circles,” he said.
Interestingly, he also highlighted the emotional dimension of reading. Citing Al-Jahiz in Kitab al-Hayawan, he suggested that love for books should rival—or even surpass—worldly pleasures.
“Buying books is not merely a consumptive act; it is an intellectual investment,” he added.
Depth Over Quantity
Moreover, Nur Fajri underscored that the essence of knowledge lies not in the number of books owned, but in how deeply one understands and internalizes their content. This idea aligns with the teachings of Ibn Jama’ah, who advised a systematic reading method—starting with the table of contents, introduction, and conclusion before engaging the full text.
In practice, classical scholars also demonstrated strong ethical conduct toward books. They avoided folding pages, misusing books as objects, or neglecting their physical condition. Even in illness, scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah continued reading, believing that intellectual fulfillment could aid recovery.
Additionally, Nur Fajri discussed reading techniques akin to modern methods like skimming and scanning. In classical terms, these were known as jard and fahsh. However, he noted that such techniques are effective primarily for advanced readers with sufficient background knowledge.
Integrating Reading and Writing
At more advanced levels, scholars often combined reading with writing as a unified process of learning. Nur Fajri cited Imam Nawawi as an example of a prolific scholar who used writing to deepen understanding.
This tradition also extended to scholars from Southeast Asia, such as Tengku Hasbi Ash-Shiddieqy, whose extensive writings were rooted in intensive reading practices.
In conclusion, Nur Fajri referenced the insight of Al-Muzani, who famously stated that reading one book repeatedly is more valuable than reading many books superficially.
The principle, he said, remains clear: the quality of one’s engagement with books matters far more than the quantity consumed.
Translator: Bintang Adrian
