What does it take to become an Islamic scholar or a student of Islamic knowledge?

Seeking sacred knowledge is a path to success, a way to Paradise, and the inheritance of the Prophets. A student of knowledge should fear Allah, and acquire knowledge from trustworthy scholars, or from students of knowledge, or through foundational tapes and books.

The progression in seeking sacred knowledge begins with studying Creed (Aqeedah), then sciences that aid in understanding the Qur'an and Sunnah, such as grammar (Nahw), principles of jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh), and terminology of Hadith (Mustalah al-Hadith), followed by jurisprudence (Fiqh) and exegesis (Tafsir). And before all of that, one must begin by memorizing the Holy Qur'an.

Suggested books for beginners: - In Creed: "Al-Usul al-Thalatha" (The Three Fundamental Principles), "Kitab al-Tawhid" (The Book of Monotheism), and "Kashf al-Shubuhat" (Clarifying Doubts) by Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, then "Al-Aqeedah al-Wasitiyyah" by Ibn Taymiyyah. - In Grammar: "Al-Ajurrumiyyah." - In Principles of Jurisprudence and Exegesis: "Al-Usul min Ilm al-Usul" (Principles from the Science of Principles) and "Usul al-Tafsir" (Principles of Exegesis) by Sheikh Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen. - In Hadith: "Al-Arba'in al-Nawawiyyah" (An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith), then "Umdat al-Ahkam" (The Mainstay of Rulings). - In Jurisprudence: A jurisprudential text from one of the recognized schools of thought, such as "Bidayat al-Salikin," "Umdat al-Fiqh," "Matn Abi Shuja'," or "Matn Khalil," while avoiding fanaticism to a specific school. - In Exegesis: "Taysir al-Kareem al-Rahman fi Tafsir Kalam al-Mannan" by Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di, then "Tafsir Ibn Kathir."

These books should be studied through memorization and comprehension, and by seeking assistance from the explanations of specialized scholars.