How Can Someone Overcome the Weight or Burden of Learning and Not Practicing New ’Ilm?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question 

How can someone overcome the weight or burden of learning and not practicing new ‘Ilm (Sacred Knowledge)?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. 

May Allah guide us to that which pleases Him, forgive us for our shortcomings, and alleviate our difficulties, Amin.

Thank you for this profound question. I want to share an answer to this question that my teacher (may Allah preserve him) once shared with us.

Practice on Sacred Knowledge

My teacher (may Allah preserve him) once said: “Every time you learn something new in Sacred Knowledge, immediately make an intention to practice upon it. Then either on the same day or as soon as possible, practice upon it. If it does not become part of your life (Allah forbid), then at least you’ve practiced it once. If you didn’t get around to doing it, even once, then Allah will still reward you for the intention you made.”

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. 

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.