Dealing with the lack of interest in seeking knowledge

Lack of interest in seeking Islamic knowledge is a major calamity. There are a number of things which we must do, including the following: 

1 – sincerity of intention towards Allaah in seeking knowledge. If a person is sincere towards Allaah in his pursuit of knowledge, and knows that he will be rewarded for his efforts and that he will be in the third level of the ummah, then his interest will be increased. 

“And whoso obey Allaah and the Messenger (Muhammad), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allaah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqoon (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!”

[al-Nisaa’ 4:69 – interpretation of the meaning]

2 – keeping company with friends who will encourage you to seek knowledge and will help you to discuss and research, and you will not got bored of their company so long as they help you to gain knowledge. 

3 – Being patient with yourself, by disciplining yourself when you want to turn away. Allaah said to His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):  

“And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face; and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world”

[al-Kahf 18:28 – interpretation of the meaning]

So be patient, for if you are patient and get used to seeking knowledge, that will become a characteristic of yours. Then a day when you have no opportunity for seeking knowledge becomes a long (i.e., boring) day. But if you give yourself free rein in following your whims and desires, this is wrong, because the soul is inclined towards evil, and the Shaytaan encourages people to be lazy and not to learn.