Every student who goes down the path of knowledge finds that it is almost inseparable from financial struggles.
This common struggle often becomes a tool for Shaytan to deceive and demoralise the student. Shaytan instils fear, making the student anxious about their sustenance.
“Subhanallah, I need money; I need to pay my bills.”
“If I seek knowledge, how will I earn?”
Such thoughts overwhelm many students. They question whether they can continue their quest for knowledge.
Shaytan exacerbates this worry by increasing your attachment to the Dunya (worldly life). You get this feeling of missing out on a lot of things that people around you are enjoying. So how can a student of knowledge settle this issue?
First Step: Trust in Allah’s Provision
The first step in overcoming financial distress is understanding that sustenance (Rizq) is in Allah’s hands. Just as Allah has ordained the moment a person's soul departs, He has also decreed the sustenance they will receive in life.
- In Surah Hud (11:6), Allah says:
وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا
“And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allāh is its provision…”
This verse reminds us that no creature, no matter how big or small, walks the earth without Allah providing for it. Therefore, the student of knowledge must recognize that Allah will provide for them just as He does for all His creation.
Also, remember that Allah aids and supports the people He loves. If you are someone striving to uphold and defend Allah’s religion, Allah will not forsake you.
- Allah says in Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:22):
وَفِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ
“And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.”
Second Step: Reset Your Goal
If you make the Dunya your ultimate goal, you will find yourself constantly stressed.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught how important it is to be content.
- In a hadith narrated by Zaid ibn Thabit, the Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا هَمَّهُ فَرَّقَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرَهُ وَجَعَلَ فَقْرَهُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَأْتِهِ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ وَمَنْ كَانَتِ الآخِرَةُ نِيَّتَهُ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَمْرَهُ وَجَعَلَ غِنَاهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ وَأَتَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا وَهِيَ رَاغِمَةٌ.
“Whoever is focused only on this world, Allah will confound his affairs, make him fear poverty constantly, and he will not get anything of this world except that which has been decreed for him. Whoever is focused on the Hereafter, Allah will settle his affairs, make him feel content with his lot, and his provision and worldly gains will undoubtedly come to him.” [Sunan Ibn Majah 4105]
From this hadith, we learn the following:
- Prioritising this world causes stress, disorganisation, and a constant fear of poverty.
- Regardless of the effort, one will only receive in this Dunya what has been decreed by Allah.
- Prioritising the Hereafter leads to stability, clarity, and peace.
- Allah grants contentment to those who focus on the Hereafter, removing feelings of insufficiency.
- Worldly sustenance comes readily to those focused on the Hereafter, without excessive worry or effort.
- The hadith encourages balancing worldly efforts with a focus on the Hereafter for a fulfilling life.
Third Step: Think Well of Allah
A crucial component of overcoming financial fears is having good thoughts about Allah.
A student of knowledge, distressed about their sustenance, must remember: Allah did not forsake them when they were a piece of flesh in their mother's womb, utterly helpless and unable to provide for themselves.
Why, then, would Allah forsake them now, when they are actively striving in His path?
The One who looked after you before you were born will keep providing for you throughout your life. Allah’s mercy is abundant, and He is always with those who trust in Him.
Fourth Step: Strike a Balance
Students must trust in Allah's provision. But, they should not abandon seeking a means of livelihood. The key is balance.
- In Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:10), Allah instructs:
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ
“And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allāh”
This verse shows that, after fulfilling religious duties, we should seek sustenance. A student of knowledge should not abandon worldly duties. But, they must avoid letting the pursuit of wealth consume them.
Beg Allah for help and strive to find ways to maintain a balanced approach to seeking sustenance while pursuing knowledge. The focus should be on acquiring what is sufficient to meet one’s needs, not on luxuries.
- The great scholar Ibn al-Wardi wrote in his Laamiyyah:
مُلك كسرى تُغني عنه كسرةٌ وعن البحر اجتزاء بالوشل
"Kisra's kingdom can be replaced by a morsel of bread, and the sea’s vastness by a small trickle of water."
This line suggests that true satisfaction does not come from having excessive wealth or possessions but from being content with little.
A student of knowledge should not preoccupy themselves with seeking more than what is necessary to keep going. A simple meal, like a piece of bread, is often enough to stave off hunger. Excessive desires for more than what is needed can lead to unnecessary stress and distraction.
Interesting Story of Hārūn al-Rāshid
One day, Ibn al-Sammak visited Hārūn al-Rāshid and found him about to drink a glass of water. Ibn al-Sammak said, "I request you, by Allah, O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, to pause for a moment before drinking."
Hārūn placed the water aside, and Ibn al-Sammak asked, "If you were denied this drink, how much would you pay for it?"
Hārūn al-Rāshid replied, "Half of my kingdom."
After Hārūn had finished drinking, Ibn al-Sammak asked again, "If you were unable to expel it afterward, what would you give to relieve yourself?"
Hārūn responded, "I’d give my entire kingdom."
Ibn al-Sammak then remarked, "O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, a kingdom that holds less value than a sip of water is not worth striving after."
Fifth Step: Strive for the Soul, Not Just the Body
- The famous scholar Abu ʻAmr bin al-ʻAlāʼ expressed this in a poem:
دع الهم بالرزق يا غافلاً ... فربك منه لنا قد فرغ
فمالك منه إذا ما افتكرت ... بعقل صحيح سوى ما مضغ
وجاز التراقي بلا مانع ... وفاتك بالجوف لما بلغ
فدع ذكر دنيا تبدت لنا ... كسم الشجاع إذا ما لدغ
"Leave your worries about sustenance, O heedless one,
For your Lord has already decreed it, what’s done is done.
What use in thinking, with a mind that is clear,
Of provisions you’ve chewed and that disappear?
It passes your throat, with no delay,
And leaves your body when it finds its way.
So forget this world, so deceiving and sly,
Like the venomous bite of a snake passing by."
These lines encapsulate the concept that worrying about sustenance is futile. Allah has already decreed each person's provision, and stressing over it will not change that. Instead, focus on fulfilling your spiritual needs, trusting that Allah will take care of the rest.
Many, including students of knowledge, fall into a trap. They work tirelessly to meet their bodies' needs, neglecting their souls. This imbalance leads to dissatisfaction and distress. The reality is that while the body requires sustenance, the soul is in greater need of nourishment. Pursuing Islamic knowledge provides the soul with the spiritual food it craves. This brings about joy and tranquillity.
Conclusion
For a student of knowledge, the key to overcoming financial distress lies in maintaining a strong trust in Allah’s provision. It's important to find a balance between learning and taking care of everyday responsibilities. Contentment with what Allah has provided brings peace. Focusing on the soul's needs leads to true satisfaction. To counter Shaytan’s lies about wealth, remember this: Allah has decreed each person's provision.
Therefore, focus on your pursuit of knowledge and trust that Allah will take care of the rest.
Are you eager to seek knowledge but share concerns like those discussed in this blog?
Alhamdulillah, it’s time to stop worrying!
AMAU Academy is an online platform where you can pursue Islamic knowledge like a serious student, following an intensive and structured curriculum full of classical texts left behind by scholars of the past.
Don’t let Shaytaan stop you! Enrol in our self-paced Student of Knowledge Program NOW and tread the path of the scholars of Islam!
