What are the best ways to strive against the self in seeking knowledge?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you.
Noble Shaykh, what are the best ways to strive against the self in seeking knowledge?
The Shaykh : You have interpreted the closest way: strive against your self and be patient with it in seeking knowledge by keeping the company of scholars and memorizing the Book of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), then what is authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), such as *Umdat al-Ahkam*, then the books of jurists, while keeping the company of the Shaykhs and hoping for the reward and elevation in this world and the Hereafter. If merchants of money toil night and day to increase their wealth, then the seeker of knowledge seeks what is more noble than money, so let him toil night and day until he attains what Allah promised in His saying:[Al-Mujadila 58:11] ease.
Noble Shaykh, what are the best ways to strive against the self in seeking knowledge?
The Shaykh : You have interpreted the closest way: strive against your self and be patient with it in seeking knowledge by keeping the company of scholars and memorizing the Book of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), then what is authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), such as *Umdat al-Ahkam*, then the books of jurists, while keeping the company of the Shaykhs and hoping for the reward and elevation in this world and the Hereafter. If merchants of money toil night and day to increase their wealth, then the seeker of knowledge seeks what is more noble than money, so let him toil night and day until he attains what Allah promised in His saying: