Several years ago, I stumbled across this statement of Imam al-Sha’bi and ever since then, it’s almost become my motto for life! I recently used it in a course I was delivering and thought to post it up here as well for general benefit.
Imam al-Sha’bi was a scholar known for his deep ‘ilm and having a vast coverage over various fields of knowledge.
In the book ‘Uluww al-Himmah by Shaykh Muhammad Isma’il al-Muqaddam, it states that Imam al-Sha’bi was once asked, ‘How did you attain all this knowledge?’ And this was his reply. Pay close attention to it:
بنفي الاعتماد و السير في البلاد و صبر كصبر الحمار و بكور كبكور الغراب
“By independency, by travelling through cities, by having patience like that of a donkey and by rising early like the rising of crows.”
There’s so much to take away from this, but here are a few points of benefit that we can derive:
- Be independent in your studies. Don’t rely on someone or something to always motivate you and push you to learn.
- Learn how to motivate yourself! Be free from distractions and limitations.
- Do not procrastinate.
- Travel! Keep on the move! Go from A to B, then B to C! Don’t be stagnant in your life; always have a peak that you’re reaching for.
- If knowledge is not in your immediate vicinity, seek it out and go to where it is!
- Be patient. More patient than the donkey overloaded with cargo. Bear all the hardships on this path, bear the trials and tribulations.
- Get up early! The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘My Ummah has been blessed in its early portion (of the day).’ Seek out the blessings of the morning. Tips for Time Management are in this hadith! You may not have time during the day, but you’ll always have time in the mornings.
- Give yourself no excuses, because most of the time an excuse is a barrier that you place between you and your goals.
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatu Allaahi wa barakaatuh,
Excellent advice. ma sha Allaah. A few words can sometimes be more beneficial than alot of words.
As for relying on people. I learnt from experience and then knowledge that people are sometimes likely to let you down when you need them but Allaah always delivers and at the time when its best for us. Our efforts, actions and people who help us are just the means through which we receive help from Allaah.
Al Hamdulillaah I get my motivation from different sources there is no better motivation than from the words of Allaah and the ahadeeth which speak of the rewards in this world and the Hereafter for those who believe and do good deeds.
Travelling is beneficial as you get to meet all sorts like those who think they are the best people in all the Earth just because they happen to be born in a certain land and those who treat you like a member of their family regardless of which part of the world you were born in. May Allaah guide us all. Ameen.
Patience is a beneficial quality to have and practice as it helps a person come out the winner in many situations.
Jazaki Allah khayr for your efforts. May Allah bless them and increase you in goodness. Ameen.
Wa Salam
Mash’Allah, it’s so true; especially for the students of knowledge. May Allah give us tofueeq in all that we do.
Wa `alaykumusalam wa rahmatullah
Jazak’Allahu khayran for your input brother fulan.
Ameen to the du’as.
salamunalaikum.
great piece of advice for all of us especially for ilm seekers.shukran kaseeran for sharing.