The Purpose of Acquiring Ilm
By Hadrat Maulana Muhammad Salim Dhorat
First of all , Congratulations on the Greatest Bounty
It is among the greatest favours of Allah that He places in a person’s heart the love of sacred knowledge. Many pass through life never feeling its pull. Many begin but do not continue. Many return home for holidays and never return to the path.
When a student comes back to the madrasah after weeks away — despite comfort, family attachment, distraction, and the whisperings of Shaytan — this is not a small matter. It is a divine selection.
Shaytan whispers:
- The food is not good.
- The boarding is difficult.
- The timetable is too hard.
- Arabic is difficult.
- Teachers do not understand me.
- My family needs me at home.
Yet Allah grants tawfiq to return. This return is a sign of divine care.
The first step, therefore, is gratitude. Gratitude for being attached to the knowledge of Prophethood. Gratitude for being placed again in the company of teachers. Gratitude for being allowed to continue the journey.
This path is not a course — it is a lifelong attachment to serving Dīn until one’s final breath.
Sincerity Is the Foundation
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Actions are judged by intentions.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Imam al-Bukhari began his Sahih with this hadith. Scholars explain that he was addressing himself, the teacher, and the student: writing, teaching, and learning are only beneficial when intention is correct.
Without sincerity, knowledge becomes a burden. With sincerity, knowledge becomes light.
What Should the Intention Be?
The intention must be singular:
To acquire the pleasure of Allah.
More specifically:
- I seek knowledge to learn what pleases Allah.
- I seek knowledge to know what displeases Him.
- I will act upon what pleases Him.
- I will abstain from what displeases Him.
- I will convey this knowledge to others.
The first stage: learning.
The second stage: practising.
The third stage: teaching and reforming.
The Prophet ﷺ did not merely teach; he purified hearts. Allah says:
“He teaches them the Book and wisdom and purifies them.” (Qur’an 2:129)
Thus, knowledge must transform the self before it transforms others.
The More the Sincerity, the Greater the Progress
A student must constantly check his intention.
Not:
- I will become famous.
- I will become a great scholar.
- People will praise me.
- I will deliver speeches and lead conferences.
All of this is dangerous.
Instead:
“O Allah, accept me for Your service. Purify my intention.”
The purer the intention, the greater the progress.
Mufti Muhammad Shafi said that if a person studies and serves Dīn with sincerity, no worldly work can overpower him. But without sincerity, the same knowledge becomes the most disgraceful thing.
When sincerity exists, Allah’s help accompanies it.
Sincerity Must Be Accompanied by Hard Work
There is a famous Arabic saying:
Whoever seeks something and strives for it will find it.
Whoever continues knocking at a door will eventually enter.
Striving includes:
- Punctuality
- Revision
- Preparation
- Respect
- Adhering to rules
- Guarding one’s time
Knowledge does not open itself to the lazy.
The Example of Qari Fath Muhammad Panipatti
He was not merely a regional qārī — he was internationally recognised. An Arab scholar once praised him as the “conqueror of the reciters.” Yet despite such mastery, his humility remained intact.
His excellence came from:
- Sincerity
- Rectification of the heart
- Relentless effort
His student, Qari Rahim Bakhsh, was so punctual that he would begin lessons half an hour before the appointed time and continue after it ended. Even when returning from Hajj, he would go directly from the airport to class before going home.
This is what striving looks like.
The Sacrifice of Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
When he travelled to Baghdad to seek knowledge, he endured hunger so severe that he ate discarded vegetable leaves from the riverbank.
One day he found others already gathering those leaves. Out of selflessness, he returned without taking anything.
Later, when offered food, he restrained himself despite extreme hunger.
Today his name is honoured across the Muslim world. But greatness was built upon hunger, patience, and self-control.
Sacrifice precedes elevation.
Obliterate Your Desires
Modern students rarely face starvation. Our struggle is different:
- Comfort
- Laziness
- Attachment to entertainment
- Love of games
- Excessive social interaction
A student must control his nafs. Madrasah rules are not restrictions; they are protection.
Breaking rules weakens barakah.
True discipline means being present:
- In body
- In heart
- In mind
Abstain From Academic Independence
Even senior scholars would sit humbly to learn.
Maulana Qasim Nanautawi once taught tafsir to scholars who were themselves masters in various sciences. After class, those scholars stayed behind to revise the lesson among themselves.
Imam Mujahid said:
A shy person and a proud person cannot acquire knowledge.
Preparation (mutala‘ah) before class and revision (takrar) after class are essential.
Striving Encompasses Everything
Striving means:
- Respecting teachers
- Respecting classmates
- Respecting books
- Respecting time
- Respecting rules
Knowledge is granted by Allah — but it is granted to those who strive.
Reflection
The purpose of acquiring knowledge is not status. Not title. Not leadership.
It is to learn what pleases Allah, act upon it, and guide others toward it.
Sincerity without effort is incomplete. Effort without sincerity is dangerous.
Combine the two — and Allah opens doors beyond imagination.
Knowledge is either a ladder to closeness or a weight of accountability.
Choose wisely.
Part Two
Living the Purpose: Discipline, Sacrifice, and Lifelong Commitment
Adhering to Madrasah Rules
When a student takes admission, he makes a silent covenant: to honour the system.
Breaking rules under small excuses weakens discipline. Discipline protects barakah.
A great scholar once said: the one who breaks madrasah rules will not succeed.
Why? Because obedience in small matters trains the soul for greater responsibilities.
A King Who Memorised Hidāyah
History records that Sultan Muhammad Tughluq memorised the entire Hidāyah — a monumental work of Hanafi jurisprudence.
If a king could memorise it while ruling, what prevents us?
The difference is not capacity. It is resolve.
The Unique Memory of Qari Fath Muhammad Panipatti
He memorised thousands of poetic couplets on tajwid and qira’ah. He could explain any verse or couplet instantly.
His memory remained sharp even in old age.
Why?
Because sincerity strengthens memory.
Hard work preserves it.
Turning to Allah refines it.
Knowledge is light — and light settles where there is purity.
Guard Your Time
Time wasted in:
- Games
- Idle talk
- Unnecessary outings
- Excessive leave
Gradually erodes focus.
If knowledge could be acquired by wishes alone, no one would remain ignorant.
Strive. Do not be lazy.
The one who wastes his student days regrets for life.
A Life of Service Until Death
The aim is not graduation. The aim is lifelong service.
Even after qualifying:
- Continue learning.
- Continue teaching.
- Continue serving.
May Allah grant that our souls leave this world while we are engaged in serving His Dīn — as happened to Imam Muhammad and Imam Abu Yusuf.
Final Reflection
The purpose of acquiring knowledge is :
To please Allah.
To live by what we learn.
To convey it faithfully.
To remain sincere.
To strive relentlessly.
May Allah grant us sincerity that never fades, effort that never weakens, humility that never leaves us, and death upon service to His Dīn.
Āmīn.
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