4 Steps to Reading 50 Books a Year
Every year at book fairs held
across most Arab capitals, parents turn out in large numbers to purchase books,
novels, and religious works—particularly those focusing on Islamic values and
ethics. Many families are keen to build home libraries, however modest, to
foster a love of reading in their children, watching these collections grow
year after year.
Some take great care in
drawing up reading plans and lists to make their way through the titles they so
thoughtfully acquired, only to watch months slip by—until the next book fair
arrives without a single book finished.
The issue arose the day
reading was reduced to a mere hobby for some. Indeed, this nation will never
truly prosper until reading becomes an ingrained daily habit once more: (Read! In the name of your Lord who created :)
(Al-Alaq: 1).
What steps can be taken to
reach a pace of 50 books a year?
Step 1: Every Great Goal Begins with a First Step
At the outset of any
undertaking, one often feels overwhelmed by the sheer length of the journey and
the arduous effort required to see it through. Yet, by looking past the
intimidating scale of the task, it becomes clear that even the longest path
begins with a single step—one where monumental undertakings and modest tasks
meet on equal ground. It is simply a first step, but it must be taken in the
right direction.
The first book in a 50-book
plan, the opening Surah of the Quran, the initial step toward any goal—it all
comes down to breaking the mission down. While the phrase '50 books' may
conjure up towering stacks in one's mind, simple arithmetic reveals it is
merely a handful of pages each day. If an average book runs about 250 pages
that amounts to reading roughly 34 pages a day.
Step 2: Rely on Planning, Not Fleeting Passion and Motivation
Anything sustained solely by
momentary enthusiasm is short-lived and accomplishes very little. It resembles
a matchstick that blazes up only to flicker out just as quickly. The Prophet
(peace be upon him) said: 'The deeds most beloved to Allah are those done consistently,
even if they are few' (Agreed upon). Giving in to sheer excitement by
binge-reading at the outset—without a structured plan for a set number of pages
to complete throughout the day—inevitably leads to burnout and a complete
standstill, often leaving even the very first book unfinished.
A set quota must be
designated each day and distributed throughout the hours rather than crammed
into the end of the evening. Read during your commute, in the doctor’s waiting
room, or in the idle pockets of time between tasks. The key is to keep reading
ever-present throughout the day. Just as you establish daily and monthly
reading goals, you must also draw up an annual plan to finish specific
titles—provided you diversify your fields of knowledge.
Step 3: Build the Habit Through Repetition
For reading to become a
habit, it demands repetition and unwavering persistence. Reading must never be
driven by mood, but embraced as a daily duty. Read 10 pages at a time
throughout the day rather than 50 in a single sitting; consistency remains one
of the single most crucial factors in anchoring a habit.
Step 4: Read with Mind and Mindful Awareness
For reading to bear real
fruit, it must transcend the mere act of scanning words with the eye. An
intelligent reader underlines lines and key insights worth returning to, jots down
margin notes, and engages in discussions with peers passionate about the same
subjects. Through this process, ideas crystallize in the mind—reshaping
convictions, consolidating knowledge, and unlocking entirely new horizons.
Likewise, a discerning reader
knows when to walk away from a book, refusing to squander further time if it
becomes clear the choice was misplaced. Starting a book is never an obligation
to finish it; quitting frees up precious time for what truly matters. After
all, the end goal is not merely hitting the benchmark of 50 books, but emerging
from each one with something that enriches one's knowledge, language, and
intellect.
Reading is by no means an
afterthought to be shelved until our children wrap up their academic studies,
leaving them to pick it up or abandon it at will. Rather, it is an
indispensable daily lifeline for the survival and vitality of this Ummah—long
shackled, and now well overdue for an awakening. After all, a rising nation is
nothing more than individuals who have elevated themselves, grasped the essence
of their faith, and through it, recognized the profound station of scholars and
their vital mission in guiding people toward the knowledge of their Lord.
