1. Never stop learning

According to Dr. Richard Restak in his book Older and Wiser, education is the most important factor in achieving optimum brain potential. 8 The more you learn and acquire new skills, the better the protection you are offering to your brain in the future. Our brain's cognitive functions (various brain activities such as memory, intelligence, and attention span) are much less at risk of deterioration if we continually use them. By education here, I cer.tainly do not mean college degrees or even high school diplomas, but the degree of brain stimulation achieved. The most knowledgeable and honoured human being, our dear Prophet Muhammad (~ ) was illiterate; nevertheless, he sought knowledge in all fields . He was taught by Allah the Almighty and he urged his Companions to seek knowledge and education wherever possible. «Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim.»9 In addition, Imam Shafi 'i said: "Seeking knowledge is better than a non-obligatory prayer." In the Qur' an Allah instructed Prophet Muhammad (~ ): ( \ \ t : ...:1, •_;r-) 8 Restak, 1997. 9 lbn Majah (this is a weak hadith, but Nawawi said that its meaning was true). ( .. And say, 'Allah, increase me in knowledge [rabbi zidnee 'ilman].'~ (Quran 20: 114) To urge us to seek knowledge, Prophet Muhammad (~) promised us the reward of learning in this life and in the afterlife: « When a person passes away, his or her deeds are halted except three of them: a continuous charity (sadaqah jariyah), or useful knowledge, or a pious son (or daughter) who prays for him or her.» 10 However, as with everything we do, we should always purify our intention. Seek with your learning only Allah's way to gain the benefit of that knowledge in this life, and the reward for it in Paradise. Early Muslims remembered and applied this advice properly, which led them to build a great Islamic empire that lasted for centuries and spread rays of knowledge - in all fields of the sciences - to the whole world. Adopt the habit of reading at least twenty minutes each day. Read in all fields, expand your knowledge, and apply what you learn in your everyday life. Leaming stimulates the brain to build more synaptic connections, thus the higher the level of learning - especially during early years of life - the greater the protection later in life against brain degeneration by aging, as the brain will take much longer to lose the dense neural connections acquired over the years. 11