In the Name of Allāh.

Do you know that an ignorant is dead even before his death whilst a learned continues to exist even after death? Verily, knowledge makes a person be remembered forever. Since when had people like Imām Bukhārī, Imām Muslim, Imām Tirmidhī, Imām Ibn Mājah, Imām Nawawī, Imām Aḥmad, and Imam Mālik (Raḥimahumullāh) died? But, we still remember, mention, and pray for them as we colossally benefit from their blessed and popular books such as the Ṣaḥīḥayn, Sunan, Muwatta, Musnad, and others.

Contrariwise, many have gone that we can’t conveniently mention their names anymore because they have not left anything worth benefitting from (concerning knowledge). Never are they equal – the learned and the ignorant. Allāh says (in Sūrah Al-Mujadilah [58] verse 11): “Allāh will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge.”

Therefore, one should select what to die upon. Well, to die as ignorant is easy. It’s nothing other than to wake up and sleep without learning. But, to die as a learned requires a great deal of work. It takes serious striving because knowledge is not gained ordinarily. That’s why, for the students to appreciate the knowledge, some scholars inflict little discomforts and various discomfiture on them.

So, it’s not surprising when many enroll to study certain Islāmic subjects, and only a few endure to complete their studies. In this regard, a student (who is truly ready to learn) should then be patient and submissive because there is no gain without pain (or there is no pain without gain when an act is done only for Allāh). Allah says (in Sūrah Al-Inshirah [94] verse 5): “So verily, with the hardship, there is a relief.”

More so, know that learning about Islām is regardless of age. Of course, one should keep seeking it until one’s last breath.

I beseech Allah to grant us beneficial knowledge. (Aameen)