He is not intelligent who is able to reach the rank of the inheritors of the prophets [the scholars], and then misses out on it. Al-Shafi`i has said in his book al-Risalah, “It is binding upon the student of knowledge to:
1) Reach the peak of his hard work in gaining as much as he can from his knowledge.
2) Have patience upon everything that distracts him from his quest for knowledge.
3) Have sincerity of intention for Allah Almighty in comprehending his knowledge textually and derivatively.
4) Incline to Allah Almighty for help upon it.”
In Sahih Muslim, Yahya bin Abi Kathir narrates from his father, who said, “Knowledge is not acquired through laxness.”
[Al-Majmu` Sharh al-Muhadhab, al-Nawawi (1/69)]
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