𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗵 (109)

Many Will Get Sidetracked—Stay Focused Starting is easy, but endurance is rare. Many people are enthusiastic in the beginning—seeking knowledge, attending gatherings—but few remain consistent over time. Life distractions, loss of sincerity, or falling into wrongdoing can pull a person away from what they once pursued. Scholars are few not because opportunities are lacking, but because steadfastness is rare. Yahya ibn Abi Talib said: “I heard Abu Dawud say: One day I was standing at the door of Shu‘bah while the masjid was full of people. Shu‘bah came out, leaned on me, and said, ‘O Sulayman, do you think all of these people will become scholars of hadith?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘You are right—not even five. One of them may study when he is young, but when he grows older, he leaves it or becomes busy with wrongdoing.’” He then said: “Later on, I looked, and not even five of them became scholars.” [Siyar A'lam An-Nubala' (7/218)] A similar report was transmitted by Sheikh Yahya from Sheikh Muqbil rahimahullah.