Note:
The following summary has been generated using AI. It may contain errors or inaccuracies.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. And peace and blessings be upon the servant of Allah and His Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions.
To proceed:
I would like to welcome all of our brothers and sisters to this gathering from our Majalis Ilmiyyah. Today we have a very special sitting.
First of all, I have with me Shaykh Abu Bakr Al-Khalafi to assist in asking the questions. And most importantly, we have our honoured guest, our Shaykh Dr. Asim Al-Qaryooti.
The Shaykh is with us to answer specific questions and to give advice regarding the barriers to seeking knowledge and the difficulties that students of knowledge face.
With that, إن شاء الله تعالى, we will begin.
This sitting will be in Arabic. There will be subtitles for you, إن شاء الله, but to keep the conversation flowing and to maximise the benefit, we will keep the discussion in Arabic with subtitles.
With that, إن شاء الله تعالى, we begin.
Shaykh, we would first like to sincerely thank you for your valuable time. We ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى to place this in your scale of good deeds.
Shaykh, many students of knowledge, and students in general, speak about the obstacles they face when seeking knowledge. We asked some of our students to describe these challenges in their own words, and they mentioned a number of barriers.
We wanted to benefit from your advice, Shaykh.
Among the barriers they mentioned is weakness in determination and motivation. So I wanted to begin by asking: what motivated you, Shaykh, to seek knowledge? And how did you begin your journey?
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, we seek His help and His forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of ourselves and from the evil of our deeds.
Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide him, and whomsoever He leaves astray, none can guide him.
I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
First of all, I thank you for this meeting. I ask Allah عز وجل to make me better than what you think of me and to forgive me for what you do not know.
I welcome our two brothers, Shaykh Muhammad Tim Humble and Shaykh Abu Bakr Al-Khalafi. Welcome to all of you, and to those watching and following. I ask Allah to grant success to all of you.
First, I remind myself and those listening and reading about the importance of seeking knowledge and its status.
This is something known, but as a reminder, Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله mentioned that blessings are of three types.
- A blessing that has already been given, such as provision, a child, marriage, or a job. A person feels this clearly because it is visible in his life.
- A blessing that is expected, such as waiting for marriage, provision, building a home, or buying a car.
- And a continuous blessing.
This continuous blessing is the one people are most heedless about. A person lives with it constantly but does not realise it is a blessing unless it is taken away.
From these blessings is health. How much a person benefits from it, safety, ease of digestion, the ability to see, smell, hear, and the strength he enjoys. These are continuous blessings.
A person is unaware of them until he is tested.
As it is said, health is a crown on the heads of the healthy that only the sick can see.
We saw this during Covid. People lost their sense of smell and taste, and only then did they realise the blessing of these things.
The point is that continuous blessings are often overlooked.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى reminds us frequently to be grateful.
From these blessings is the blessing of seeking knowledge. It is a great and continuous blessing. A person seeks knowledge, learns, and teaches. It remains with him.
So a person should remember this blessing. Remembering it leads to gratitude. Gratitude is worship, and through gratitude, blessings remain. This helps a person remain firm.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ
"The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it."
And he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ
"Whoever Allah wants good for, He gives him understanding of the religion."
These are great hadith. We memorise them and hear them, but we are often heedless of their importance.
Reflect on the words “the best of you.” Who said it? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
And “whoever Allah wants good for…” This is a clear path to goodness. Every person seeks good, but may not know the right path. This is a guaranteed path.
So a person must strive with sincerity for Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
Remembering this blessing is one of the greatest things that helps a person remain firm in seeking knowledge and in the religion.
As for how I began:
In the beginning, Alhamdulillah, I grew up in a household that preserved the religion and avoided what is forbidden.
When I was around sixteen or seventeen, we had a teacher who was keen to guide us. He brought us the book:
صفة صلاة النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم
by Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله and distributed it among us.
He told us to read it and revise it.
I read the book, and we were a group of young people who would meet, read, and discuss matters of the religion.
When I read the introduction, it affected me deeply. It stirred something within me and pushed me towards seeking hadith and following the evidence.
SubhanAllah, one of my friends noticed this and told me that Shaykh al-Albani had a lecture.
At that time, we were in Jordan. I had never seen the Shaykh or even heard of him before.
We went to him, got to know him, and benefited from him.
This was a real turning point in my life. It defined my path, love for the Sunnah, and love for hadith. And this was the greatest motivation in that transition.
For this reason, Allah سبحانه وتعالى mentioned among the qualities of the servants of the Most Merciful in their supplication:
وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
Our Lord, grant us from among our spouses and offspring comfort to our eyes and
make us leaders for the righteous. [Al-Furqan 25:74]
This is not just a supplication that our spouses and children are righteous, although that itself is a great supplication. Rather, it is a supplication to be leaders for the righteous.
There is a difference between a person who is righteous himself and a person who is a role model for others. A person may fear Allah, worship Him, and stay away from what is forbidden. This is righteousness for himself. But to be an example for others in righteousness, in his actions, his speech, even in his appearance, this is something greater.
This kind of example must be seen in action.
We have knowledge, what we might call theoretical knowledge, and we have knowledge through example. The impact of learning through example and imitation is often stronger and deeper than learning through instruction alone, even though both are required.
But when a person focuses only on knowledge and neglects being an example, this is a great loss, especially if there is contradiction between what he knows and how he lives. This makes the matter even more serious.
We ask Allah for success and correctness.
Shaykh, as you mentioned your studies in engineering, many students today are unable to dedicate themselves fully to seeking knowledge. They have responsibilities such as study, work, and family. We often hear that knowledge cannot be attained without giving it time. So how can a student balance his time in such a situation?
Firstly, it seems important to clarify that the student of knowledge can be divided into levels. We can summarise them into two.
The first level is obligatory knowledge. There is a minimum that every Muslim must know regarding his religion. He must know what is required of him towards his Lord in belief, in Tawheed, and in Aqeedah. He must know what a Muslim is required to believe.
He must also know what is required in his actions, such as Salah, Siyam, Zakat, hajj and other obligations. He must learn good manners and avoid bad character.
These are the essentials that every Muslim must learn, in whatever way possible. This is the minimum requirement.
Beyond this comes the second level, which is expanding in the Islamic sciences, such as Aqeedah, Fiqh, Tafsir, Hadith, and other disciplines. This is a communal obligation. If some people fulfil it, the burden is lifted from others.
So if a person is busy and cannot fully dedicate himself to seeking knowledge at this higher level, then after fulfilling what is obligatory, he should organise his time as best as he can.
He should not overwhelm himself by studying everything at once. Instead, he should begin with one subject and progress gradually, or take short summaries in different subjects until he completes them, then expand further according to his ability, interest, or the needs of his community.
Time passes quickly, but a person can organise his time, no matter how busy he is. Whether he is an engineer, a doctor, a worker, or anything else, he can still arrange his time.
For example, the time between the adhan and Iqamah, sometimes fifteen or twenty minutes, can be used. While travelling in the car, a person can listen to lessons. A woman in the kitchen can listen while she cooks.
Today, Allah has made things very easy. So many lessons in hadith, tafsir, and Fiqh are recorded and available. This is a great blessing.
In the past, people would travel for the sake of a single hadith. Now, the entire world of knowledge is available to us. Books of tafsir, hadith, fiqh, everything is accessible.
This is a proof against us.
So even with busy lives, a person can benefit. But it requires organising time.
The most important thing is to start. Begin with what is small and manageable. Do not begin with what is long and difficult.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.”
So a person should begin with a small amount and remain consistent. He should not belittle small efforts. What matters is consistency.
This will gradually lead him to increase.
We used to sit once a week when I was in Madinah at the Islamic University. By the permission of Allah, we read several books together. We studied books like those of al-Shafi‘i, “As-Sunnah” by Ibn Abi ‘Asim, and others. Then we eventually went our separate ways, and the circle stopped.
The point is that even one session a week has great benefit.
Even now, we have a weekly gathering in tafsir and another in Seerah. By the grace of Allah, we have continued regularly. We completed “Al-Arba‘in an-Nawawiyyah” with additional benefits, and other texts as well.
Consistency, even if small, brings great benefit.
The problem is that sometimes a student wants to rush. He wants to finish large books quickly or reach a high level fast. This often leads to frustration and prevents growth.
What is important is consistency and choosing what is suitable and manageable.
This requires organising time and seeking reward from Allah, knowing that this path is a means of drawing closer to Him.
Shaykh, you mentioned that modern technology has made seeking knowledge easier. Yet we see that it has also led to laziness and delay, because people rely on the fact that everything is available anytime. How can a person deal with this?
There is no doubt that modern technology is a great blessing. It saves time and makes access to knowledge easier, especially in searching and gathering information.
But the problem is procrastination.
A person says, “Why attend this lesson? I will listen to it later.” In reality, many people delay and never return to it.
Even if he listens later, there is a big difference between listening to a recording and sitting with a scholar.
Sitting with a scholar brings benefit from his character, his experience, his teaching style, and how he answers questions. This cannot be gained from recordings alone.
Gatherings of knowledge are also gatherings of remembrance. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
مَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلَّا نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ، وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ، وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ، وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ
"No people gather in a house from the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it together, except that tranquillity descends upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them among those with Him."
This is a great virtue that a person misses by only relying on recordings.
So these means should not become a barrier to attending gatherings of knowledge or sitting with scholars.
Also, Allah سبحانه وتعالى said:
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.[An-Nahl 16:43]
The reference is always the people of knowledge.
We must be very careful with modern tools. We should only take from reliable, known sources. Not everything found online can be trusted.
And the most dangerous matter is making artificial intelligence a reference in religion.
This is extremely dangerous.
We tested it, and it gave completely incorrect answers, even attributing false statements to scholars and books.
So a person must not rely on it in matters of halal and haram.
Technology can help in organising, searching, and gathering information. But religious rulings must be taken from trustworthy scholars.
Finally, we live in a time full of distractions, especially with phones and devices. Many students waste long hours on them.
The first thing a person must do is realise the blessing and responsibility of being a student of knowledge.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
الْعُلَمَاءُ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ
"The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets."
This is a heavy responsibility.
A student of knowledge must value his time and not waste it. He must remember that he is expected to learn, act, and teach.
These distractions are a real test. They have taken over people’s time without them realising.
But people differ in how they deal with them.
The key is awareness, discipline, and remembering the responsibility before Allah.
But a person must strive against himself. He should feel that sense of responsibility and reflect on the statement of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:
احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ
"Be keen on what benefits you."
We all know this hadith, but we need to reflect on it properly. Seeking help from Allah, being keen on what benefits us, and making use of our time are all factors that push a person to benefit from his time and not waste it through these devices.
Time, as you know, is either spent in something beneficial, whether worldly or religious, and that is Khair, or it is spent in something permissible, which is lighter. But the real danger is when time is spent in disobedience to Allah, in following what He has forbidden, in looking at what is unlawful, whether from men or women, and in chasing after people’s faults.
This is the real danger. It corrupts the student of knowledge and affects him deeply. It is one of the greatest causes that distances a person from seeking knowledge. It corrupts his character and his steadfastness, because it first corrupts hisIman and his relationship with Allah.
If time were only spent in permissible matters, the issue would be lighter. But the greatest danger is when it is spent in sin, in backbiting, gossip, and what does not benefit.
So being keen on what benefits you brings great good for a person, whether a student of knowledge or not. We ask Allah for success.
Following on from this, many brothers and sisters who are students of knowledge tend to choose religious content, but from it they select things like debates and similar material. So instead of general distractions, they move to distractions that carry doubts or confusion.
Because of this, a student may neglect what is obligatory upon him, like learning the rulings of salah, and instead spends time listening to debates, and perhaps hears doubts that affect him.
So is there any advice regarding this?
The topic of debates is a serious one and needs detailed discussion, but briefly:
Debates should only take place when there is a real necessity. And no one should engage in them except those who are qualified and firmly grounded in knowledge, both in the religion and in the specific matter being debated.
As for attending debates, even if a person from Ahl al-Sunnah is debating others, whether from other religions or deviant groups, then for someone who is not firmly grounded in knowledge, there is a real danger.
He may be affected by the doubts raised, and he may not be able to grasp the response properly. So the doubt may remain in his heart.
For this reason, staying away from such debates and not following them is safer and better for a person.
Also, becoming absorbed in debates and constantly following them takes a person away from what he truly needs, which is to focus on himself, his knowledge, and his rectification.
Even constantly following refutations between scholars or students of knowledge, “this one refuted that one,” this is not knowledge in itself. Yes, some refutations contain great benefit, especially against people of deviation, but becoming absorbed in this and neglecting what is obligatory is harmful.
A beginner, or someone not firmly grounded, may even be new to guidance, and this will distract him from what he must first learn and act upon.
So focusing on what benefits you and rectifying yourself is more important.
Many students begin a course or join an institute, but then move on before completing it. They go from one course to another, from one teacher to another. You mentioned the importance of consistency, so what helps a student remain firm and consistent?
Shaytan has many ways of distracting a student of knowledge.
From them is moving between acts. A person may leave something better for something he thinks is better, but ends up leaving both.
For example, he may leave praying in the masjid to pray at home, thinking it is better, but then ends up praying neither here nor there.
Similarly, in seeking knowledge, he starts a book, then leaves it, then starts another, then leaves it. This constant switching weakens a person.
If a student completes a programme or finishes a book, then moves on to another teacher or a more advanced book, this is fine. But moving without a reason weakens him, and often he does not continue anywhere.
Unless there is a valid reason, such as timing issues or difficulty level, constant switching is from the tricks of Shaytan.
Even some scholars began many books but did not complete them due to such distractions.
So a person must strive against himself and make use of his time.
Another form of switching is the changing of intention. A person may begin seeking knowledge sincerely, then later gains recognition or becomes an imam or a speaker, and his intention begins to shift.
How can a student maintain sincerity?
Sincerity is the foundation of everything.
A student of knowledge must always see himself as a student, from the beginning of his life until the end, no matter what level he reaches.
The more a person learns, the more he realises how much he still needs knowledge.
Knowledge has no limit.
So a person must strive against himself to keep his intention purely for Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
One of the greatest things that helps in this is reflecting deeply on the Qur’an, not just reciting it, but pondering over it.
Neglect in reflecting on the Qur’an is a major shortcoming.
Also, a person must be aware of dangers like love of popularity, fame, pride, and self-admiration because of knowledge or status. These are serious diseases that can corrupt a person’s Religion.
There is a small treatise by Ibn Rajab رحمه الله on this topic, but its benefit is immense. Every student should read it.
A person should also keep good company, sincere brothers who advise one another, and constantly ask Allah for steadfastness.
Many students also face obstacles from their families. For example, parents may prevent them from seeking knowledge. How should a student deal with this?
Seeking knowledge can be of two types:
i. Obligatory
ii. Recommended.
If it is obligatory knowledge, meaning what a person must know about his belief and practice, then he must find a way to learn it, even if it means using whatever time he can.
But if it is recommended knowledge, then he must consider his parents. If they are in need, due to age, illness, or weakness, then serving them takes priority.
Honouring parents is obligatory, while extra knowledge is recommended. And what is obligatory takes precedence over what is recommended.
A person seeks reward from Allah through both.
If a person shows kindness and good conduct, often parents will become more lenient, and he may find a way to balance both.
If parents prevent even attending lessons or studying, then the same principle applies.
Even if a person is at home and listening to lessons, if parents dislike it, he should avoid doing it openly and find a way without upsetting them.
If parents hold incorrect beliefs and prevent their child from learning from reliable scholars, then he should try to learn quietly without causing conflict.
Especially in what is obligatory, he must ensure he learns it.
At the same time, he should not provoke or upset his parents, but balance carefully.
A student studying alone may also feel isolated, with no one around to motivate him. How can he deal with this?
The answer returns to what we mentioned before.
A person must feel the blessing of seeking knowledge. It is a gift from Allah.
When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ
"Whoever Allah wants good for, He gives him understanding of the religion."
This means Allah has chosen good for you.
Whether people support you or not, whether you are alone or not, this is a sign of Khair.
And remember the Prophets. Some came on the Day of Judgement with only one or two followers, and some with none.
This teaches us that a person may be alone, but this should not lead to despair.
Rather, it should motivate him to continue, to remain firm, and not feel disheartened.
Feeling alone in this path is not a weakness. It can be a sign that Allah has chosen you for something good.
So hold on, continue, and do not lose hope.
A person may even be far from this path, so the fact that you are guided to it is itself a blessing. So he should thank Allah and ask Him for steadfastness.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ
Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. [Ibrahim 14:27]
This is a great ayah. We read it, but it needs reflection. Allah promises that those who truly believe in Him, in His Names and Attributes, and in what is required of them, He will keep them firm in this life and in the next.
Any weakness, hesitation, or slipping back in knowledge or practice comes from a weakness in Iman. This is certain. The stronger a person’s Iman, the more Allah will keep him firm.
The more a person reflects on Allah’s Names, His greatness, and the value of knowledge, and is sincere for His sake, the more Allah will aid him and grant him firmness.
A question related to the psychological state of students: many compare themselves to others. They begin seeking knowledge at the same time, but see others progressing faster, memorising more, or advancing further. This leads to discouragement.
How should this be treated?
People differ in their abilities. Understanding, memory, and talents vary.
Even among siblings, or students in the same class, there is a difference in ability. This is natural.
Even among the companions رضي الله عنهم, there were those who narrated many hadith, like Abu Hurayrah and Aishah, and others who narrated very little.
So this difference is natural.
What matters is sincerity.
If someone progresses faster because Allah gave him a strong memory or understanding, this is a blessing from Allah.
But if you are unable to match him, this should not lead to despair.
The real measure is not how much you memorise or how many books you complete, but whether your deeds are accepted.
Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, said, when speaking about prayer, that if he could have just two Rak‘ahs accepted, that would be enough for him.
Acceptance is what matters, not quantity.
A person may do little, but Allah accepts it. Another may do much, but it is not accepted.
So a person should focus on sincerity and doing what he is able.
There are many doors of Khair. Acts of worship, voluntary deeds, maintaining family ties, caring for one’s family, remembering Allah, reading the Qur’an, reflecting upon it.
If a person struggles in one area, he should not give up. There are many other ways to draw closer to Allah.
So this should never lead to despair.
Another question is about the hadith of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:
إِنَّ لِكُلِّ عَمَلٍ شِرَّةً، وَلِكُلِّ شِرَّةٍ فَتْرَةً
"Every action has a period of enthusiasm, and every enthusiasm has a period of decline."
What does this mean for the student of knowledge?
The path of seeking knowledge is a noble path, but what matters is that a person remains safe and steady upon it.
If a person is guided to the correct understanding of the Qur’an and Sunnah, upon the way of the Salaf, then this leads him to goodness.
But if he is not guided correctly, it can lead to extremism or deviation.
This is why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم warned about people who recite the Qur’an but it does not go beyond their throats.
This shows that knowledge alone is not enough without correct understanding and sound belief.
So a student must focus on understanding the Qur’an and Sunnah properly and following the way of the Salaf.
This is the safest and most correct path.
Remaining connected to scholars is essential. When doubts arise, a person should return to the people of knowledge.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know. [An-Nahl 16:43]
Distance from scholars is one of the main causes of deviation.
Those who remain close to scholars are generally safe, by the permission of Allah.
When a person feels weakness, or falls into sin, or feels a decline, he must strive to correct himself, seek advice, and not ignore the problem.
Weakness can come from many causes, such as lack of patience, starting with difficult books, distractions, or sins.
Among the greatest cures are making Du‘a for steadfastness, keeping good company, staying away from sins, and reflecting deeply on the Qur’an.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life. [An-Nahl 16:97]
A good life is a life of peace, contentment, and closeness to Allah.
As a final word regarding the obstacles of the student of knowledge:
A person must strive for sincerity, realise the honour of seeking knowledge, and remember that scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets.
He must combine knowledge with action.
He should remember the Hereafter, visit the graves, and reflect on death.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
زُورُوا الْقُبُورَ فَإِنَّهَا تُذَكِّرُكُمُ الْآخِرَةَ
"Visit the graves, for they remind you of the Hereafter."
A person should also hold himself accountable. What has he done with this knowledge? Has he fulfilled this trust?
Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَىٰ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّاهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِي الْكِتَابِ
Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture… [Al-Baqarah 2:159]
This shows the responsibility of conveying knowledge.
A student of knowledge must realise this trust and responsibility.
He must balance between seeking knowledge and fulfilling the rights of others, such as parents, spouse, and children.
Seeking knowledge should not come at the expense of these obligations.
Balance is essential.
We ask Allah to grant us sincerity, steadfastness, and acceptance.
And Allah knows best.
