The Best Way to Read a Book with Dr Shoaib Ahmed Malik

@DrShoaibAM

[@saifmaher3429]

0:05 : introducing the honor guest. 0:10 introducing the guest's best academic book of science and religion titled: Islam and evolution. 0:48 the new academic appointment of the Dr Shoaib and his future goals. 3:42 the subject of the podcast. 5:32 what was Paul 's relationship with books when he was young, his interests and memories. 9:30 Dr Shoaib childhood memories , skills ,best experience as a young student and interests. 14:21 the biggest mistake made by Dr Shoaib. 15:38 Dr Shoaib developing reading curiosity at the University. 17:15 what motivated Paul Williams to read. 19:32 Dr Shoaib background and working ethics. 27:00 the impact of becoming a bookish person for Dr Shoaib. 28:22 the writers and books that influenced brother Paul Williams. 31:45 Dr Shoaib intereste in poetry (Rumi poetry) 33:40 Paul Williams intereste in T S Eliot poetry , Plato and Kant 37:38 how Dr Shoaib was introduced to philosophy. 40:10 types of geniuses according to Paul Williams and Dr Shoaib. 46:24 how can parents develop inquisitiveness in their children. 52:10 Paul Williams express his worries on social media negative impact (in terms of time consuming) on reading books, and Dr Shoaib excellent point of view on that . 59:13 Paul Williams discover his "second naivety" after reading many biblical scholarships on the Gospels of Mathew, Mark , Luck and John .

[@saifmaher3429]

1:01:10 how Al Ghazali's books change Dr Shoaib way of thinking. 1:02:12 the movie production culture and Dr Shihab + Paul Williams advices for movie lovers. 1:04:05 reading strategies : before , during ,and after reading books and recommendations. 1:16:00 the different type of books and how to read them 1:22:15 what to do during reading a book. 1:26:53 Dr shoaib advice on how to be a specialist in a field. 1:28:43 distractions during reading . 1:30:50 modern tools that helps the reading and the teaching process. 1:34:22 ideas on what to do if books pile up at home. 1:37:09 benefits from writing notes on books during reading. 1:40:48 what to do after the reading. 1:47:23 tips on the right way to recommend books to other. 1:51:23 final important advices for reading books . 1:59:53 general advice for people having difficulties in reading books. 2:02:00 Paul Williams recommends Dante. 2:04:10 important advice from Dr Shoaib. 2:07:50 conclusion. May Allah bless you both❤.

[@wafaaabusadah863]

@@saifmaher3429 Thank you

[@JohnnieWalkerGreen]

Thank you both!

[@saifmaher3429]

@@JohnnieWalkerGreen you are welcome.

[@saifmaher3429]

@@wafaaabusadah863 you are welcome.

[@bas6628]

That's why i love this channel. .it hugely encourages reading

[@BeardedGuy_Tawhid]

Quran best book to read

[@hellinkiller]

After looking at so many Sheikhs online, i have successfully stopped believing that there are no muslim thinkers, but still muslim intellectuals who discuss natural world are rare. My Allah bless you Dr Shoaib Ahmed Malik. Ameen.

[@aljahidlaskar7513]

Alhamdulillah!Finally this video coming out ❤

[@khomol]

There’s always a problem with populism and mass media. Online sheikhs are therefore problematic in that they’re less about difficult messages rather more popular. Pray to Allah for guidance and be ready for a life long journey. Look at the heartsee movement

[@fallasleep9472]

One of your most informal videos, brother. May Allah bless you and Dr Shoaib.

[@AuraDawn_Health]

I had to laugh when Paul spoke of being "monogomous" to a book, i.e. one book at a time. I always have multiple books with bookmarks in them. I used to feel frustrated with myself, why can't I just read one at a time? Then I heard someone mention how some people who watch tv will flip through different channels on any given night and don't think anything of it . Well, for us bookworms, our books are our tv programs. Now I just happily pick up the book that suits my mood at a given time, and feel no shame lol 😊

[@JunaidKhan-vw3dx]

I used to read 2 books at my Samsung Z fold from my Google drive, + Hard copy of Hadith books + Serah, Sufism & another from various subjects, but Islam cetered.

[@sp-files82]

Paul I’ve had my differences with you but I have to commend you for your channel and the work you’re doing. It’s an amazing channel May Allah bless you !

[@BloggingTheology]

Alhamdulillah

[@hebakhalifa5672]

Mashaa Allah, congratulations Dt. Sohaib for your new position, and thank you Paul for your great videos, May Allah bless you both

[@aafsterlife9647]

What an absolute sweetheart. Love the humility, optimism, and the way he seems to seek a connection.

[@mie4204]

I am in the right place of KZbin alhamdullilah. This channel, Paul, your guests, the conversations and inspiration, such a blessing. JazakAllah Khayr makes me so happy

[@shaheerabdulwahab4585]

Currently, living in the isolation period of mine but sometimes, I think, if I don't discuss to anyone, how my knowledge will be increased or how my thoughts will be improved, but you're video was reallt encouraging, you all experienced that and Allah has made a way for you all, and HE will make for me too, In Sha Allah.

[@saifmaher3429]

i've just finished the first 45 minutes of the video. I enjoyed listening to you brothers talking about your memories of elementary school and so on . I thought reading skills for you guys were something taught in your schools at very young age and not out of curiosity , i'm glade it's never too late ! finishing the rest of the video to know your reading strategies ,inshaAllah ! Thank you for sharing.

[@HarrySmart]

He was my first guide back when I was attending uni of Nottingham , while he was pursuing PhD there. Great to see him back again! Thanks Paul for an interesting discussion.

[@CineRanter]

Always wanted to see a video like this in the channel. Looking forward to this!

[@alkhalilquranmedia7337]

1:04:40 How to read a book

[@justsaying444]

Shykh hamza yusuf also has a great lecture on "How to read a book" in two parts. Amazing lectures as well.

[@kscherk]

I realized that, while reading can feel isolating and make it hard to relate to the masses, it allows me to connect and engage with amazing minds through time and space.

[@Solaceinsolitudee]

Jazakhallah khair Paul for this informative podcast also have realised you always take the convo back to Islam and the Quran and always using example thereof which is indicative of your high imaan. May Allah bless you

[@hellinkiller]

I remember reading Gai Eaton based on your recommendation Brother Paul. I really tried to read it completely, but after reading one-fourth of the book, I just could not proceed, I had to look at the dictionary ten times per page :) I just didn't understand what he wrote fully. Maybe in the future I will read it again, after my understanding of english language increases. Inshallah.

[@VanoinRussia-hj5sf]

Great speech by Paul at the end about the divine comedy. Inspired me to read it, cool wording with "don't miss out on the journey". Last attemped read lasted 5 pages, KZbin and chat gpt have dulled the interest and even mental ability to read books, maybe Dante can change that

[@ashaqhussain6902]

Very important and yet underrated topic on reading. Thank you for this Paul. This has to be my favourite discussion on this channel.

[@user-kj8yl6sn2z]

My brother Paul, in books on Orientalism, you can read the books of Dr. Mazen Mutababani د.مازن مطبقاني, who is one of the most important critics of Orientalism in the Arab world, as well as Dr. Ali Al-Namlah, regarding Orientalism related to Christianization.

[@abubakr2981]

Part 2 needed for this discussion of book reviews and recommendations.

[@johnbrzykcy3076]

"I never fully applied myself". That was my problem too. By the way, Shoaib Malik is a good speaker. Thanks for inviting him.

[@brotheryosef3066]

My take aways: Vetting a book😊, polygamous reading, highlighting key sentences, checking references, Google searching obscure words, WhatsApping with colleagues for fact check, writing on the book side and back like kinda replying & interacting with author, After reading, make summary of book, perhaps slides, Advice: read primary source material about a subject first, not intermediary authors.

[@aafsterlife9647]

7:57 Thank you so much for sharing this part of your journey with us, Paul. Truly touched and also inspired.

[@chinny_reckon]

When you read a great book, you don’t escape from life, you plunge deeper into it. There may be a superficial escape - into different countries, mores, speech patterns - but what you are essentially doing is furthering your understanding of life’s subtleties, paradoxes, joys, pains and truths. Reading and life are not separate but symbiotic. JULIAN BARNES

[@abrarhameem1000]

41:18 The happiest moment for a thinker😂 can absolutely relate to the joy when you find someone else thinking the same as you.

[@GabrielA-mw4in]

Read "How to Read a Book" by van Doren and Adler. Its a classic text.

[@odeebob7826]

Jazakallah khair Brothers

[@PenangNorthamRd.]

So funny Paul mentioned polygamy and monogamy. I giggled loudly seeing those highlighters. Same yellow 💛 Salam from Penang

[@user-le4qp2ck7k]

Such a great show you have here.

[@abrarhameem1000]

55:32 Every post of Shoaib Malik goes directly to my reading list❤

[@imammamunu9537]

Very excited about your appointment. Congratulations ❤❤❤❤

[@suleimanbakari7940]

I am yet to overcome my aesthetic relationship with books. Writing in a book feels like a violation of its sanctity. But I agree with Dr. Shoaib, it may be an effective way to engage with the author.

[@dazealex]

Enjoyed the episode. More like this please!

[@jacobim94]

Paul you definitely should get Coach Firas Zahabi on here to talk about philosophy

[@BloggingTheology]

already have!

[@kscherk]

I was an obsessive reader as a child. I used to put books in ziplock bags to take them into the shower with me. When I was bored at home, I'd read encyclopedia volumes cover-to-cover and started studying German with my father's 1960s textbook on the bookshelf. My mother would take us to the library and I would check out piles of books, especially on herbal medicine; after reading Margaret Mead's _Coming of Age in Samoa_, I started telling people I wanted to be an anthropologist.

[@AyshaA-ml2rd]

Cute ماشاء الله

[@victorquebec5929]

Great conversation this one, thank you, Paul! As to books, it's funny that I've been having a thing for the Reformation recently, currently reading Charles Taylor's The Secular Age, which, unlike I thought about it before getting it, is more philosophical than historical. Yet very interesting! But I pinned your The Unintended Reformation to my wishlist as well, thank you!

[@BloggingTheology]

Thanks!

[@brotheryosef3066]

I watched Dante's inferno anime. Appreciate the genius.

[@MM-ts8lz]

I would recommend to anyone first read very brief introductions on the topics you like, Oxford University Press has a series called “Very Short Introductions”. Has many different topics on Politics, History, Philosophy, Economics, Law etc

[@cumacemi]

I always watching/listening your videos while doing mundane things such as driving, cleaning, etc. So no Paul, your contents don't deter me from reading books. Keep it up!

[@TheNamdar1]

The best book that I have come across regarding book reading is entitled “How to Read a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren.

[@JohnnieWalkerGreen]

It is an excellent "Classic" book. However, how relevant is "reading" when nowadays we can listen to "audiobooks" while driving?

[@knw-seeker6836]

1:05:00 selecting the right book is so hard but yet so important and it literally pays of later

[@MW-qt1ml]

Salam Paul! I would love it it you did more casual non scripted discussions like this. They are very enjoyable, and can provide people with beneficial entertainment!

[@harharharharharharharharha240]

I see a bright future in front of this brother. Thank you for bringing him in in this video brother Paul. Just one thing there is bot in your comments which has many comments that are also bots which are promoting some money thing probably a scam. Be careful :(

[@iMANTlS]

Subhanallah, you look like brothers/close relatives

[@user-tz5hq1og8o]

Mashahallah 🌹 brother

[@alib7489]

This should be good. I love reading, but sometimes I wonder how I can retain the knowledge gaines from the books I read.

[@michp571]

Book journaling! There are many prompts & layouts people use. You can try “book themed bullet journal.”

[@fatimaabdalla1774]

I’m with you, I read a lot but struggle with the retention part! If anyone has any tips, I’m all ears

[@michp571]

@@fatimaabdalla1774 actually I think my advice may sound a bit counterintuitive but it is to read faster, don’t focus so much on each & every word because your brain can sometimes stick to each word, gets overwhelmed, & then needs to re-read each part… but if you skim, you’ll be surprised how much you actually retain; if you really need to go back to re-read something then you are likely just looking for a detail but you got the overall message. This helped me a lot & now I read faster than before & retain more because I don’t get hung up on each word or sentence. Think of it like when an artist paints, they paint the big splotches first to get the canvas covered, then they do details; however, once in a while, they step back & look at the big picture so they don’t get sucked into doing the details. Zoom in & out (via speed & attention), it helps to keep the mind from getting tired &/or bored when reading which is also a big struggle many people have, they don’t want to sit still to read… many think reading is a sport only for the patient & highly disciplined. Once I realized that my mind was able to navigate a book like a lawless vehicle, I spent much more time reading; you can thumb through the contents to see which chapter to read first, you can skip over some, you can come up with nicknames for the hard to pronounce names… whatever it takes but what matters is your goal: what are you trying to get out of it? It might look like, “I want to learn about XYZ,” “I want to gain memory retention,” “I want to read faster/slower,” once you know your goal then you can adjust the reading style. If your goal is retention, definitely try the skimming especially because your mind is probably wanting to wonder & by reading faster it has less of a chance of dozing away from the focus. Another way I like to keep focus is reading out loud, it helps me a lot with my focus as well. Give it a try!

[@user-nt9ic2dm6d]

جزاكم الله خيرا

[@erikkhan]

plz do a video on ibn arabi with a scholar

[@Ahmad-mc5hn]

He was a prominent "Sufi" and was concidered as a kafir by Islamic scholars. You can read about him on islamqa. Just search for "Who was Ibn ‘Arabi?" on the same website

[@bas6628]

Wow my interest in books came from comic books to .. notably marvel and DC in the 80's... then came the fighting fantasy gamebooks by Ian Livingstone that were popular....I always found the school library a magical place

[@sashalilly5093]

Brother please do more conversational videos like this! Immensely enjoyable

[@s3youtubevids156]

If you enjoy Blogging Theology, which books to read?! I have unmet intellectual interest but i dont know where to go to read to satisfy it (I am a scientist so not sure is it philiosphy or theology or history).... I am a slow reader and this channel has made a lot of scholarship on disparate topics accessible to me, and ultimately added more conviction to my belief Alhamdulilah. Maybe reading is not the answer for me in my circumstances. I also feel guilt that I shouldn't invest in reading anything whilst I have not read enough of the Quran

[@assalaamu-alaykum]

Great to hear that mr. Malik got the position at university with his background. Islam and science as a course is interesting for many, nowadays even more than ever I believe. Also this session about reading books is very welcome. Reading is like breathing for some♡.

[@bas6628]

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body

[@md.anikmahmud4269]

Enjoyed every moment

[@michp571]

52:25 it’s actually a funny how you asked this question, Paul, when you mentioned Plato, I was wondering what book you might recommend and then your guest, Shoaib Ahmed Malik, brought up a book on Plato‘s collective works as that is how he was introduced and now I can’t wait to get my hands on a book like that! so I don’t think that podcasts will necessarily kill off the interest in reading, in some cases it might encourage it!

[@evilmelez]

Library tour pls uncle Paul :)

[@AuraDawn_Health]

oh yes! I love when people do library tours 😊

[@kscherk]

I can totally relate to the isolation of not having anyone to talk about these heavy readings.

[@zk9961]

I can relate about not havibg knowledge beyond maths and sciences for the longest time.. im above 30 and now iv started learning about philosophy etc

[@faisalniazi1899]

Dreamteam🥰

[@lubnasaira3130]

I share your experience reading Dickens.

[@AyshaA-ml2rd]

Dr Shoaib: I don’t usually like to write on books. I’m visually connected to pristine aesthetic of a book Brother Paul: Sometimes I desecrate the book by crossing out the words Rebel.

[@B1ackC3t]

I wish i have this passion. Gathering information was my hobby, but i can't get my self to read a book. Everytime i try, i got this allergic reaction of closing my eyes and fell asleep. I have settle my self just by consuming multiple points of short knowledge from the internet, and video such as this channel to satisfy my hunger of knowledge.

[@user-zq1cm5ce2v]

Yellow highlighters make the reading more serious, somehow.

[@michp571]

I also struggled with reading when I was younger, and I think part of the reason why had to do with my attention span being affected by events that were going on in my life, I won’t get into all of it, but the brain doesn’t want to remember things that are not Survival skills at that point in time and what is perceived as survival skills are not the same thing as survival skills themselves when you are young and do not understand the longevity of life nor it’s various facets. I would frequently get pulled out of my class away from the other students learning to practice reading, and they would always give me the most boring books which did not grasp my attention so my attention span was not being Encouraged either. I remember they would have me read things like Amelia Earhart in fifth grade, of course it was for a younger level and not an academic read, but my interest was not at the time. However, as I grew up, I realized that I did not actually find much enjoyment in fantasy novels with very few exception, and I would rather spend my time with historical, philosophical, political, or even books that felt more like real life, even if they were technically Fantasy so maybe they were inspired by historical events. It’s funny how my preference shifted over the years. I think a big factor of that was finding a lot of interest in psychology and now spirituality. Something that really helped according to my mom was allowing me to pick out teen magazines and comic books just to get me reading in general. My interest in reading actually ended up coming after school when I realized how much reading I was doing virtually and though my attention span needed to be challenged due to the, fast-paced scrolling media, I eventually found myself appreciating a physical copy of a book which I often find myself on my shelf to use for later as it is usually marked up a bit with sticky notes (the clear ones are amazing) or I will gift them to another person or if they are spiritual books, I will put them in my work prayer room for other people to use.

[@juliusnovachrono4370]

Hello Paul. You still do look like my old ethics teacher and on a side note, this video is really good, especially for someone like myself as a young university student.

[@farisjc1]

Gai Eaton ❤

[@aafsterlife9647]

5:36 Hahaha watch poor Shoaib's expression change as what he thought was a harmless icebreaker question goes in a direction he absolutely did not expect 😂 I have to say, though, cannot be more pleased that he asked and that Paul answered so candidly. I often worry about whether my children will be able to find their calling, and whether they'll truly seek and find excellence in any field. Paul's answer gave me so much hope!

[@ibniftikhar]

Read "How to Read A Book" by Mortimer Adler. It's an excellent work.

[@HussainFahmy]

💯👍

[@Ahmad-mc5hn]

Mr. Paul, Dr Shoaib Malik is deviant. There is a video,a critical analysis, on KZbin of Mufti Zameelur Rahman where he highlights the problems in Dr Shoaib's aqeedah. You can search "Is the Idea of “Adamic Exceptionalism” Compatible with Islam?". Dr Shoaib Malik's views can make a person a disbeliever.

[@sabirali7704]

❤

[@fatality153]

Important to note that the guest is the same guest that said previously on this same channel in defense of evolution that Adam had children with non human humanoids.

[@kscherk]

In my experience and observations, girls and women are often not allowed the "leisure" of reading. It's seen as "doing nothing." I think there's a strong gender component that's not being discussed; it shapes why there are so many male philosophers historically and today, and how most of the authors (all) you are citing are men. Wondering if there are long lost ancient female philosophers and authors. Read women, read the margins. Colonial/global South scholars and scholarship are absolutely insightful.

[@user-zq1cm5ce2v]

Brain works by association. If we see a person,the brain starts to assimilate information, and we say this person looks like my friend or my boss etc.

[@learnenglish6789]

Assalamualaikum brother Paul, please give me all of your books ❤ not all of it, at least some of it.

[@lethalfunn]

Great Channel.Hello Brother Paul...Do you have A Plan To write a Book ?

[@HarrySmart]

One request to Paul , could you please get the videos edited and have a crispier and shorter version of the videos so that people could actually make the most out of it in some defined time length. Coming from a perspective of human psychology.

[@moojza]

Paul has a clips channel where he breaks down the longer videos into shorter videos.

[@hassanmirza2392]

There is a book on this topic, by Mortimer J Adler.

[@RoyanGem]

22:26

[@adnanabdull4h]

What are good books of Ibn Taymiyyah available in English?

[@mirbenz9532]

Brother Paul. In which sequence should I read Plato's books?

[@Queen_of_the_south_]

It’s funny how so many Muslims have converted to Christianity ✝️ and how many Christians have converted to Islam ☪️…. I guess it’s all down to discernment and how everyone has different testimonies. I have experienced it first hand. The only name that chases demons away is the name of Jesus. 🙏🏻

[@zk9961]

Dr shoaib how did u answer: why are you a muslim - what answer satisfied you? Just curious

[@viveloumma2195]

Salam 'aleykoum Sidi, I have tried to reach your website many times to know if it is possible to follow your courses remotely and no one respond to me 😢

[@BloggingTheology]

wa alaikum assalam I'm sorry but I didn't see your messages.

[@viveloumma2195]

​@@BloggingTheologythe object of the mail was :" Course on Metaphysics and Logics Online version" I have just sent it to you again

[@BloggingTheology]

@@viveloumma2195 Thanks.

[@colinpaulturner]

"Islam and Evolution" contains some very contentious material and needs a strong and definitive critique by someone who has not sold out to evolutionary biology and who does not argue that natural selection is acceptable so long as we excluse Adam (a.s.) from the process. Which is bizarre, to say the least. Heaven only knows what evolutionary biologists think of such a 'compromise'.

[@dazealex]

Quite the bromance there. Seemed like Shoaib was overly and weirdly impressed by Paul.

[@abdullah19_m]

Brother Paul, how do you retain the information that you read in books

[@rezakarampour6286]

👍✌

[@user-bb8qz6nr2d]

Paul you should have phd degrais

[@turan_kaya]

There's no sound

[@keekl6870]

Back in school, academic books didn't interest me. I fall asleep easily studying. I read more books unrelated to academics. And oh I read lots more fiction than facts.

[@Truth4peace2024]

Assalamu alaikum. Are you married Paul?

[@user-zq1cm5ce2v]

Wow,to read Lord of the Rings,3 times,is not a joke. Prolific reader.

[@reww21]

This time I'm not particularly allured about your choice of this invitee brother Paul, although the topic sounds very interesting, the invitee seemed very ludic and did not give the topic the depth and consideration it truly deserved.

[@edwardsmith1060]

Start with a biology book. 😂

[@36cmbr]

2 hours on how to read a book! U losing it Paul. I’ll go 10 minutes before thumbing you down. 4:58 am.. Ten minutes have passed & it’s 5:10 am. Time wasted. Fast forward to 45 minute point . Time wasted. Later, Paul and outhouse guy.

[@sleeping12345]

Correction to my original comment: Shoaib A. Malik is uncertain of whether or not he's an ape. He thinks Nabi Adam's descendants could've mixed with other creatures. He also endorses Yasir Qadhi, a reformist, and believes in Ash'ari Aqeedah. Definitely not someone you'd wanna learn from.

[@reww21]

I'd have liked you not deleting the discussion thread about this issue, that is not what I'd call fair and ethical

[@sleeping12345]

@@reww21 Sorry about that. I understand your concern; however, I don't think if I were to edit my original comment, those who've already seen it would be inclined to read it again expecting a significant change.

[@reww21]

@@sleeping12345 You could just make your point in another primary comment, so far KZbin allow us to do that for free, so

[@sleeping12345]

@@reww21 I don't know what a "primary comment" is.

[@Ahmad-mc5hn]

Mr. Paul, Dr Shoaib Malik is deviant. There is a video,a critical analysis, on KZbin of Mufti Zameelur Rahman where he highlights the problems in Dr Shoaib's aqeedah. You can search "Is the Idea of “Adamic Exceptionalism” Compatible with Islam?". Dr Shoaib Malik's views can make a person a disbeliever.

[@komrij1944]

His book 'Islam and Evolution' must be hilarious. "Islam and science" 😄 Repeating it 30 times doesn't help. Classical music BT? That became history as soon as you turned into a muslim.

[@ninaaden8338]

What do you know? You're a typical uncultured colonizer with an iq of 20. 😉