Siblings of 'ilmOne of the best advice I received when I started my journey to study sacred knowledge was to be ready to tolerate the nature of different teachers.
Sometimes I see certain students who give up studying because a teacher told them off or said something to them out of anger etc. The teachers are also human and will say things sometimes which you may not like but be patient. Have sabr. Not all teachers in history were nice and calm.
Just look at what Khadir عليه السلام says to Hadhrat Mūsā عليه السلام after Mūsā عليه السلام asked very kindly, ‘Is it possible for you to teach me something from that which you’ve been taught of good knowledge.’ The teacher (Khadir عليه السلام) replies, “You will never possess the ability of tolerance with me!”
Sabr and tolerance is important especially when it was highlighted as the main theme of the incident of Hadhrat Mūsā عليه السلام when learning from Khadir عليه السلام.
Imām Shāfʿī رحمه الله says:
اصبر على مرِّ الجفا من معلمٍ فإنَّ رسوبَ العلمِ في نفراتهِ
Be patient with the bitter harsh nature of the teacher, for indeed firmness in knowledge is found in his huffing and puffing.
ومنْ لم يذق مرَّ التعلمِ ساعة ً تجرَّعَ نلَّ الجهل طولَ حياته
Whoever doesn’t taste the bitterness of studying for a short while will guzzle the humiliation of ignorance for the rest of their life.
So, do not ever give up and make lots of duʿā to Allāh ﷻ, and sometimes talking to your teacher will make them understand your situation and how you feel. I’m a teacher. It helps a lot, trust me.
SiblingsOfIlm Guest Contribution
