dissatisfaction with the existing education system and his awareness of the urgent need for its reform. Moreover, the astonishing number of works that Said read, memorized and digested in this short period of time was to demonstrate his remarkable power of memory, and exceptional intelligence and understanding, both of which were developed to a degree far exceeding the average for boys of his age. He was fourteen years old.

During his time in Bayezid, Said completed the entire course of study then current in medreses. The works studied were heavily annotated, with commentaries, commentaries on commentaries, and even commentaries on those commentaries and further expositions, so that to complete the course under normal conditions took the average student fifteen to twenty years. The method was to completely master one book and one subject before passing onto the next.

Said began from 'Molla Jami', [^20] and completed all the works in the course in turn. This he did by ignoring all the commentaries and expositions, and by concentrating on only a certain number of sections in each work. On being asked by a displeased Shaykh Muhammad Jalali why he was studying in this way, Said answered thus:

[^20]:That is, the famous poet and scholar Nur al-Din 'Abd al-Rahman Jami, who lived in Herat 817/1414-898/1492. Of his numerous works, the one known as 'Molla Jami' was a commentary on a work on Arabic syntax called Kāfiya by Ibn Hajib, and, formed part of the medrese syllabus until recent times.

I am not able to read and understand this many books. But they are caskets of jewels, treasure chests, and the key is with you. I only implore you to show me what is in them so I can understand what these books are discussing, and then I shall study those that are suitable for me.

Said's aim in replying thus was to point out the need for reform in medrese education and to prevent time being wasted through the inclusion of so many commentaries, annotations and expositions. And in answer to his master's question: "Which subject, which of the sciences studied is suitable for you?", Said replied:

I cannot distinguish these sciences one from the other. I either know all of them or none of them.

Whichever of the books Said studied, he would understand it without seeking anyone's assistance. He was able to study and master the most difficult works of two hundred pages or more, like Jam' al-Jawami', Sharh al-Mawaqif, and Ibn Hajar in twenty-four hours. He gave himself over to studying to such a degree that all his ties with the outside world were cut.