In the Name of Allah.
Do you know that an ignorant is dead even before his death whilst a learned shall continue to exist even after death? Verily, knowledge makes a person be remembered forever. Since when had people like Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Imam Tirmidhi, Imam Ibn Majah, Imam Nawawiy, Imam Ahmad, and Imam Malik (RahimahumuLlah) died? But, we still remember, mention and pray for them as we colossally benefit from their blessed and popular books such as the Sahihayn, 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. Allah says (in Surah Al-Mujadilah [58] verse 11): “Allah 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 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 enrol to study certain Islamic 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 Allah). Allah says (in Surah Al-Inshirah [94] verse 5): “So verily, with the hardship, there is a relief.”
More so, know that learning about Islam is regardless of age. Of course, one should keep seeking it until one’s last breathes.
I beseech Allah to grant us beneficial knowledge. (Aameen)
