Do not be chaotic in your life

One day I gathered twelve different commentaries of the Qur'an: At-Tabari, Ibn Katheer, Al-Baghawi, Az-Zamakhshari, Al-Qurtubi, A;-Zilaal, As-Shinquiti, Ar-Raazi, Fathul-Qadeer, Al-Khaazin, Abu Mas'ood, and Al-Qaasimi (some in this list are the names of the authors while others are the names of the actual books). I had intended to read every day the commentary of one verse of the Qur'an from each of these books. I planned to read the explanation of the daily verse from the first book, then the second, and so on, until I had completed them all. I tried this for a while but I quickly felt bored and exhausted. It is true that I was enthusiastic, but I had been too hasty in planning and in choosing a proper method of study.

To the student of the Islamic sciences I give this advice: do not overburden yourself with a great number of books. A better way is to plan and choose carefully what you read. It is of utmost importance to be consistent, even if you do only a little. The most favorite deed of the Prophet (bpuh) was the one that was practiced consistently, even if the deed was a small one.