ILM-e-DEEN REMOVES WORRY AND GRIEF
ILM-e-DEEN REMOVES WORRY AND GRIEF
وتحصيل العلم ينفي الهم والحزن، كما قال الشيخ نصر بن الحسن المرغينانى فى قصيدة له:
استعن نصر بن الحسن … … بكل علم يختزن
ذاك الذي ينفي الحزن … وما سواه باطل لا يؤتمن
Biography of Shaykh Nasr ibnul-Hasan Al-Margheenaani (Rahimahullah)
Before we explain the text, it is important to know the author of the poetic line quoted by Imām Zarnūjī (Rahimahullah).
Shaykh Nasr ibnul-Hasan ibnul-Qāsim Al-Margheenānī (often known as Nasr Al-Margheenānī) was a great Hanafī Faqeeh (jurist and scholar) from the region of Margheenān (in present-day Uzbekistan, near Farghanah). He lived in the 6th century AH (12th century CE) – approximately 500–550 AH.
He is known for his deep fiqh, his poetic skills, and his pious austerity.
Shaykh Nasr passed away around 593 AH (1197 CE) – some say earlier. He was a living example of the principle he teaches: that knowledge removes grief and anxiety – because despite trials in his time, he remained serene and productive.
The Text from Ta‘leemul-Muta‘allim
Imām Zarnūjī (Rahimahullah) says in his classic work on the etiquette of seeking knowledge:
وتحصيل العلم ينفي الهم والحزن، كما قال الشيخ نصر بن الحسن المرغينانى فى قصيدة له:
استعن نصر بن الحسن … بكل علم يختزن
ذاك الذي ينفي الحزن … وما سواه باطل لا يؤتمن
Translation:
“And acquiring knowledge removes anxiety and sorrow, just as Shaykh Nasr ibnul-Hasan Al-Margheenānī said in his poem:
‘Seek help, O Nasr ibnul-Hasan – with every type of knowledge that is stored (i.e., preserved in the heart and books).
That (knowledge) is the thing that removes sorrow – and anything besides it is falsehood; do not trust it.’”
Detailed Explanation for Students (Deeni Context)
- The Central Contention: Knowledge removes worry and grief
Imām Zarnūjī (Rahimahullah) is teaching a fundamental psychological and spiritual reality:
- “Al-hamm” (الهم) = deep, continuous worry about the future or about unmet needs.
- “Al-huzn” (الحزن) = grief or sadness over the past – losses, failures, or painful events.
Deeni knowledge (ʿIlmud-Dīn) – when sought with sincerity (ikhlāṣ), acted upon (‘amal), and connected to Allah – brings tranquility (sakīnah) to the heart. Allah Ta’ala says:
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (Surah Ar-Ra‘d, 13:28).
And the greatest remembrance is through knowledge of Allah’s Names, His commands, His promises, and His rulings.
- The Poetic Advice: “Istā‘in bi kulli ‘ilm yukhtazan”
- “Istā‘in” (استعن) = seek help, take as your support. It is an imperative verb. The poet addresses himself (Nasr) to remind every student.
- “Bi kulli ‘ilm” – with every kind of beneficial Deeni knowledge. This includes:
- Uṣūlud-Dīn (ʿAqīdah – correct belief) – removes the anxiety of doubt and confusion.
- Fiqh (jurisprudence) – removes the anxiety of not knowing what is halaal/haraam, and guides practical life.
- Tafsīr and Hadith – connects you to Allah’s speech and Rasulullah’s ﷺ guidance, giving clarity.
- Tazkiyah (spiritual purification) – removes the grief of spiritual emptiness and sins.
- “Yukhtazan” (يختزن) – knowledge that is stored/treasured – meaning knowledge that is preserved in reliable books, transmitted through trustworthy chains (sanad), and memorised with understanding. Not superficial or fabricated knowledge.
- “Thākallathī yanfīl-ḥazan”– That is the one that banishes sorrow
Why does Deeni knowledge remove sorrow specifically?
- Because it gives you certainty (yaqīn) about Allah’s wisdom – so you stop grieving over divine decrees.
- Because it teaches you patience (ṣabr) and reliance (tawakkul) – so you stop worrying about provision, health, and future.
- Because it fills your time with beneficial engagement – the busy mind of a student has little room for futile brooding.
- Because it brings good company – the Ulama, the Kutub, the Malaaikah who lower their wings for seekers of knowledge.
- Because it leads to action – and action wards off the devil’s whispers that cause sadness.
Rasulullah ﷺ said:
“Whoever follows a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” (Muslim)
That hope and direction dispel despair.
- “Wa mā siwāhu bāṭilun lā yu’taman”– Anything else is falsehood, not to be trusted
This is a striking statement. It means:
- Wealth, status, sports, entertainment, fame, anti-depressants, or even worldly knowledge (without Deeni purpose) – cannot ultimately remove deep existential grief.
- They are “bāṭil” in the sense of being inadequate or ephemeral – they may temporarily distract, but they do not heal the heart.
- “Lā yu’taman” = do not rely on them; they will betray you when calamity strikes.
Imām Zarnūjī (Rahmatullahi alayh) is not denying that lawful worldly pleasures are permissible – but he is saying: Do not place your trust in them as the cure for anxiety. Only Deeni knowledge, with its light and guidance, is trustworthy.
Practical Lessons for Students Today
- When you feel stressed about imtihaan, family, finances, or future – increase your study of Deen, even if just 15 minutes of Qur’an with meaning, or a page of Fiqh and Hadith. You will feel an immediate lift.
- Do not separate “academic” Deeni study from “spiritual” benefit. When you study Fiqh, intend to act upon it. When you study ʿAqīdah, intend to strengthen your Yaqīn. When you study Tafsīr, intend to find consolation.
- Memorise and reflect – because “yukhtazan” points to stored knowledge. Revise regularly. The more you internalise, the more it becomes a fortress against worry.
- Avoid sins – because sins darken the heart and bring grief. Knowledge without Taqwā does not remove sorrow; it may increase arrogance. Shaykh Nasr and Imām Zarnūjī (Rahmatullahi Alayhima) assume the student is practising.
- Trust only Allah and His revealed knowledge – not modern self-help internet gurus, not materialistic philosophies, not escapist entertainment. They are all “bāṭil” in comparison.
Final Note on the Quote’s Context
The full poem of Shaykh Nasr Al-Marghinānī is a long qaseedah on Hanafī fiqh. Imām Zarnūjī only quotes this one line because it perfectly supports his chapter. The poem was written to encourage students to seek peace of mind, contentment and joy and thus maintain and enhance their memory capabilities to retain their knowledge.
We ask Allah to make our knowledge beneficial, to remove our worries through His remembrance, and to grant us sincerity.
May Allah Ta’ala bless Imām Zarnūjī, Shaykh Nasr, and all our Asaatizah – and may He make us from those who preserve knowledge and act upon it.
Wa billāhit tawfīq.
(Munsha’ib)
