In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“Is he who payeth adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (to be accounted equal with a disbeliever)? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed.” (39:9)
The Elegance of Knowledge, according to the wise.
By Dr. Hamzah Ibn Fayi' Al Fathi.
May Allah preserve him.
Engaging Books.
Voltaire said,
the French philosopher,
who passed away in the year 1778 AD,
that the most beneficial books
are those that compel the reader to finish them.
People differ in their interpretation of what makes a book beneficial and captivating.
Here, that philosopher explains it
as being those that push you forcefully to complete them,
such that boredom dissipates from you,
and you do not taste weariness.
For they possess such beauty of style and splendor of language,
such captivating subject matter and exquisite vocabulary,
that they make you cling to them, love them, and revere them.
This is the truly beneficial book.
Yet, attracting people to books
is not a skill possessed by every writer;
rather, it is a gift from Allah the Exalted, which He bestows upon certain pens.
In our era, beautiful and colorful editions
have become the primary attraction for many,
more so than true scholarship,
impactful writing,
or persuasive style.
Nevertheless,
there are groups that still seek benefit
from masters of refined prose
and brilliant pens.
There is a lesson here for writers and authors:
do not rush into authorship without training and expertise
in the nuances of influence and appeal.
Therefore, they must pay attention to two elements in their writing:
the introduction and the subject matter.
The stronger and more enchanting the introduction,
the more likely the book is to spread, be read, and gain popularity among people.
As for original, non-repetitive subject matter,
it is something that souls yearn for,
and spirits speak of to one another,
wishing they could read it,
especially if it offers a new solution,
a sound approach,
or convincing analysis.
This is why academic theses are held in high regard,
because they possess innovative topics
free from imitation or mimicry.
Peace.