It is advised to such parents that whenever a Muslim does something, his purpose should be to attain the pleasure of Allah Almighty instead of getting (only) this world; and especially when acquiring ‘ilm-e-Deen, the sole intention should be to attain the pleasure of Allah Almighty. As far as wealth is concerned, it is beyond the mercy of Allah Almighty that He leaves the one acquiring religious education alone. How is it possible? It is stated in a Hadees: ‘The one who acquires ‘ilm-e-Deen, Allah Almighty will ease off his difficulties and grant him sustenance from where he wouldn’t even imagine of.’ (Jami’ Bayan-il-‘Ilm, pp. 66, Hadees 198)

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, those who acquire ‘ilm-e-Deen with sincerity and hard work often spend a better life than a lot of worldly people. Various rulers, officers and senior dignitaries consider it to be a privilege to kiss ‘Ulama’s hands, serve them and carry their shoes. Whereas, this status and rank is not even given to the richest and wealthiest people of this world. Let’s listen to a parable in this relation.

The king who respected knowledge

It is narrated: Once, Khalifah Haroon Rasheed invited Abu Mu’awiyah ‘Azeez رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was deprived of the eyesight. At the time of food, when the vessel to wash hands and bowl to wash mouth was brought, then Khalifah Haroon Rasheed handed the bowl over to the servant and took the vessel himself and made Sayyiduna Abu Mu’awiyah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه wash his hands himself.

He said: ‘Do you know who is pouring water over your hands?’ He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه replied: ‘No’. The king then said: ‘Haroon’. Then (Sayyiduna Abu Mu’awiyah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه gave him Du’a and) said: ‘The way you revered knowledge, may Allah Almighty also revere you in the same manner.’ Haroon Rasheed said: ‘I did all this just to get this Du’a.’ (Malfuzaat-e-A’la Hazrat, pp. 145 summarised) 

The spiritual insight of Imam-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه

Similarly, it has been reported for Sayyiduna Qadi Abu Yusuf Ya’qoob Bin Ibraheem رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه that his father passed away when he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was young. In order to run the house, his mother sent him to a launderer.