Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلاَّ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ
Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of Allah, reciting the book of Allah and studying it together, but that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near him.
[Riwayat Muslim (4867)]
Lately, the feeling and the thought of quitting my study came quite often because of some struggles along the journey. It demotivated me to finish my assignments and other work of a student. So I procrastinated many things even though I knew I needed to finish it as soon as possible because there would be more work assigned later.
Then this hadith came across my phone screen and I felt attacked when I read it. It has however, beautifully reminded and motivated me again to do the things I didn't want to do, which is to study and do my assessments.
When I felt 'attacked' by the hadith, I said to myself gently, "paradise is not cheap, it is expensive. And expensive things are hard to get. If you feel hard in this journey of seeking knowledge, studying, doing assignments.. then it might be the path to paradise. You have to do your best on this path. Find no excuses because Allah has placed you on the journey that is meant for you. You can do it and you can go through it, as Allah doesn't place you on the path you are not able to walk on."
And yes, being a university student is one of the best ways of seeking knowledge. And it is an opportunity that one should grab, do their best and make benefits out of it, because it is promised to ease the path to paradise. InsyaaAllah.
May Allah ease and guide us on this path of seeking knowledge.
