Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Salam,
What are the best ways to retain Knowledge? Especially when studiying online…
Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
The scholars mention that of the greatest of ways of retaining knowledge is acting upon it.
Beyond that, start with what is personally obligatory for you, study step by step– don’t jump to advanced texts and material before truly understanding simpler, and usually, more practical matters– review regularly, and consult your teachers often. And don’t take too much on at once– a little understood and acted upon is far superior to much taken and forgotten.
Remember that the point is worship; knowledge is a means and not a goal in and of itself.
Please see: What is Required in Order to Become a Teacher in Islam? and: Advice Regarding Being a Student of Knowledge and Taking Notes
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.