Ever felt like knowledge is slipping through your fingers no matter how hard you try? You spend hours studying but come away feeling lost. The frustration can be overwhelming, making you wonder, Is this path really for me?
You’re not alone.
Even the brightest minds in Islamic history faced similar challenges. Some struggled with specific subjects for years before achieving clarity. The key lies in persistence, humility, and reliance on Allah ﷻ.
In this blog, we’ll explore practical advice based on Islamic principles to help you overcome obstacles and stay motivated in your pursuit of knowledge.
1. Don’t Despair – Reward Lies in Effort, Not Mastery
Islam teaches that the reward for seeking knowledge comes from effort, even if you don’t achieve immediate mastery.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
"احرص على ما ينفعك واستعن بالله ولا تعجز"
"Be keen for what benefits you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless." (Sahih Muslim 2664)
The message is clear: Allah ﷻ rewards you for striving, not just succeeding. Even when subjects feel overwhelming, your perseverance is seen and rewarded. The effort itself becomes an act of worship.
2. Struggling is Normal – Even Scholars Faced Challenges
Some of the most renowned figures in Islamic history admitted that certain sciences were incredibly challenging for them. Their experiences, as recorded in their biographies, remind us that struggle is part of the journey toward mastery. Here are detailed examples based on the transcript:
- Al-Asma’i, whose full name is Abu Sa'id ‘Abdul Malik ibn Qurayb ibn Abdul Malik, died in 231 AH. He was a renowned linguist but struggled with ʿarood (Arabic prosody), one of the branches of the Arabic language.
- Abu al-Husayn Ahmad ibn Sulaiman ibn ‘Abdul Malik, a scholar of hadith, died in 261 AH. He faced difficulties with al-khat (the art of writing).
- Ibn Salah, the eminent hadith scholar known for his Muqaddimah on hadith sciences, admitted that he struggled with the science of logic (mantiq).
- Abu Muslim Mu'adh ibn Muslim al-Kufi, who died in 187 AH, admitted his struggles with ilm al-tasreef. This likely refers to ilm al-sarf (morphology), a key science of the Arabic language. Morphology governs the structure and derivation of words, and even experts in grammar can find it challenging.
- As-Suyuti, رحمه الله, struggled with hisab (mathematics and accounting). Although he excelled in multiple Islamic sciences, numbers and calculations proved difficult for him.
- Abu ‘Ubaidah Ma’mar ibn al-Muthanna, who died in 209 AH, was another scholar who found certain linguistic fields difficult. There is also another Abu ‘Ubaidah, Ubais ibn Maymoon, but the famous mention refers to Ma’mar ibn al-Muthanna.
- Muhammad ibn Abdul Baqi al-Ansari: He passed away in 535 AH, and alongside others, struggled with mastering grammar.
- Abu al-Hassan al-Qati’i: His full name is Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Umar ibn Hussain, and he died in 634 AH.
- Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Ziyad al-Farra’: Al-Farra’, who passed away in 207 AH, also found Arabic grammar (Nahw) challenging.
- Abu Hamid al-Ghazali: Known for his spiritual and intellectual legacy, Al-Ghazali, who died in 505 AH, was among those who found Nahw (grammar) hard to master.
All five of these scholars—Muhammad ibn Abdul Baqi al-Ansari, Abu al-Hassan al-Qati’i, Yahya al-Farra’, Ma’mar ibn al-Muthanna, and Abu Hamid al-Ghazali—faced persistent difficulties with Arabic grammar.
The Ant and the Power of Persistence
To inspire students facing similar struggles, Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, رحمه الله, narrated the story of an Imam struggling with his studies in Nahw. He saw an ant carrying food, trying to climb a wall. Each time the ant made progress, it would fall back. Yet the ant persisted, trying repeatedly until it succeeded.
Similarly, some Sahabah, رضي الله عنهم, found memorisation hard. One companion said it took him years to memorise Surah al-Baqarah.
- All of this goes back to the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
"احرص على ما ينفعك واستعن بالله ولا تعجز"
"Be keen for what benefits you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless." [Sahih Muslim 2664]
These examples show that even the greatest scholars of Islam faced immense challenges in their studies. They didn’t give up; instead, they persevered, sought Allah’s help, and moved forward despite the difficulties. Their stories are a powerful reminder that struggle is normal, and persistence—coupled with du’a and humility—leads to success.
3. Trust in Allah and Persist in Du’a
When a science or its Masā’il feel impossible to understand, turn to Allah ﷻ with humility. Regular du’a softens the heart and opens pathways to knowledge.
- A short and effective du’a that Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ to make is as follows:
"رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا"
"My Lord, increase me in knowledge." [Surah Taha 20:114]
- A du’a that Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله, would use when struggling is:
"اللهم يا معلم آدم وإبراهيم علمني، ويا مفهم سليمان فهمني"
"O Allah, O the one who taught Adam and Ibrahim, teach me. O the one who gave understanding to Sulayman, grant me understanding."
Humility in front of Allah is essential.
- Present yourself as spiritually broken, fully acknowledging your need for His help, just as the Prophet Ya’qub, عليه السلام, said:
"إِنَّمَا أَشْكُوا بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّهِ"
"I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah." [Surah Yusuf 12:8]
This sincere reliance on Allah brings relief and clarity.
4. Pause but Don’t Stop – Focus on What You Can Understand
When a subject becomes overwhelming, it’s okay to pause and focus on other topics for the time being. Progress is not always linear, and it’s better to build momentum in other areas than to stop entirely.
Imam Ahmad, رحمه الله, spent nearly a decade trying to grasp one topic, teaching us the importance of patience.
Just as the ant repeatedly climbs a wall, falling each time but eventually succeeding, we must continue our journey. Setbacks are inevitable, but persistence ensures progress over time.
5. Seek Guidance from Scholars and Explore Different Resources
Islam encourages consulting scholars when you feel stuck. Scholars have different areas of expertise—some excel in Fiqh, others in ‘Aqeedah, Nahw, or Tafseer. Create a list of your questions, organised by topic, and consult knowledgeable teachers through study sessions, conferences, or online Q&As.
Books also vary in style and clarity. If one explanation doesn’t resonate with you, try another resource. Scholars often explain the same concept in multiple ways, and finding the right one can unlock your understanding.
6. Practical Steps to Stay Motivated When Knowledge Feels Difficult
Here are some actionable steps to help you push through challenges:
- Make Du’a Frequently: Use powerful du’as. One of the du’as the Prophet ﷺ used to begin his night prayers with was as follows:
" اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ " .
(O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You judge between Your slaves concerning wherein they differ. O Allah, guide me to the disputed matters of truth for You are the One Who guides to the Straight Path)." [Sunan an-Nasa'i 1625]
- Compile a List of Questions: Keep a list of difficult concepts and ask scholars for clarification. Engage in study circles or online sessions where you can seek guidance.
- Explore Multiple Resources: If one explanation doesn’t help, try others. The variety of explanations often brings clarity.
- Maintain Consistency: Study regularly, even if only in small portions. Consistency builds momentum and strengthens understanding over time.
- Engage with Fellow Students: Discussing your challenges with other students can provide motivation, insights, and new study techniques.
- Remember the Reward: Your effort in seeking knowledge is always rewarded by Allah, even if progress feels slow. Every attempt counts in His eyes.
Conclusion: Trust the Process and Keep Moving Forward
Seeking knowledge is a noble but challenging journey. Every student faces moments of doubt, frustration, and difficulty. However, the key to success lies in persistence, reliance on Allah, and seeking help when needed. If the greatest scholars in history could struggle and overcome, so can you.
- Always remember the statement of the Prophet ﷺ:
"احرص على ما ينفعك واستعن بالله ولا تعجز"
"Be keen for what benefits you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless." [Sahih Muslim 2664]
Keep going, even when the path feels steep. With every step forward—no matter how small—you are drawing closer to the light of knowledge and the pleasure of Allah. Trust that your struggles are not wasted. They are shaping you, refining your understanding, and bringing you closer to your goal. You are closer to success than you think.
This blog post is inspired by a lesson from Hilyatu Ṭālib al-ʿIlm by Sheikh Bakr Abu Zayd, a book taught in the Islamic Etiquette and Personal Development pathway at AMAU Academy.
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