Imam ‘Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak (181H) said: “The first step towards [seeking] knowledge is the [sincerity of] intention, then it is listening, then it is understanding [this knowledge], then it is memorising [this knowledge], then it is acting [upon this knowledge], then it is spreading [this knowledge].” [Jaami’ Bayaan al-’Ilm wa Fadhlihi – Volume 1, Page 118]