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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

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“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)

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The Elegance of Knowledge, according to the wise.

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By Dr. Hamzah Ibn Fayi' Al Fathi.

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May Allah preserve him.

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Engaging Books.

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Voltaire said,

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the French philosopher,

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who passed away in the year 1778 AD,

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that the most beneficial books

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are those that compel the reader to finish them.

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People differ in their interpretation of what makes a book beneficial and captivating.

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Here, that philosopher explains it

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as being those that push you forcefully to complete them,

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such that boredom dissipates from you,

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and you do not taste weariness.

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For they possess such beauty of style and splendor of language,

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such captivating subject matter and exquisite vocabulary,

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that they make you cling to them, love them, and revere them.

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This is the truly beneficial book.

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Yet, attracting people to books

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is not a skill possessed by every writer;

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rather, it is a gift from Allah the Exalted, which He bestows upon certain pens.

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In our era, beautiful and colorful editions

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have become the primary attraction for many,

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more so than true scholarship,

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impactful writing,

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or persuasive style.

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Nevertheless,

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there are groups that still seek benefit

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from masters of refined prose

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and brilliant pens.

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There is a lesson here for writers and authors:

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do not rush into authorship without training and expertise

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in the nuances of influence and appeal.

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Therefore, they must pay attention to two elements in their writing:

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the introduction and the subject matter.

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The stronger and more enchanting the introduction,

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the more likely the book is to spread, be read, and gain popularity among people.

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As for original, non-repetitive subject matter,

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it is something that souls yearn for,

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and spirits speak of to one another,

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wishing they could read it,

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especially if it offers a new solution,

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a sound approach,

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or convincing analysis.

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This is why academic theses are held in high regard,

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because they possess innovative topics

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free from imitation or mimicry.

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Peace.