Shaykh ‘Abdullāh al-Bukhārī:
He asks: "How do I balance between my worldly affairs and seeking knowledge? Especially since my work conditions sometimes distract me from seeking knowledge."
It was reported from one of the Salaf — if my memory serves me right, it was Imām Abū Ḥāzim al-A‘raj, may Allāh have mercy on him — that he said: “A little of this dunyā (worldly life) distracts from much of the Hereafter.”
So what if it is much of the dunyā that is keeping you busy? If a little of it distracts you from much of the Hereafter, what about when it is much of the dunyā that is keeping you busy? What will be left for your Hereafter? Or what have you left for it?
There is no contradiction or conflict between seeking knowledge and working to make yourself self-sufficient. This does not mean that a person should adopt monasticism and sit relying on people’s leftovers (i.e. their charity)! No! One should work but not make the dunyā his greatest concern. He works in order to use that money to achieve the acquisition of knowledge.
Just like the esteemed Imām Aḥmad, may Allāh have mercy on him, who wanted to travel to Yemen to learn from ‘Abd al-Razzāq, may Allāh have mercy on him, but didn’t have the money to make the journey. He asked how much one would need to reach Yemen. The traders told him an approximate amount, but he didn’t have it. So, he worked hard as a porter and did other jobs until he collected the amount he needed. On the day he gathered the required sum, he stopped working and left for Yemen. He didn’t say, "Just a little more, a few more days, another ten, another twenty." Understand? There’s a difference between making the dunyā your greatest concern and primary goal, and keeping the dunyā outside of your heart and desires.
The problem is that many people get busy and distracted by what Allāh created for them, being preoccupied with it instead of focusing on what they were created for. So pay attention, may Allāh bless you. There is no contradiction. If Allāh knows that you are sincere and have a good intention, He will guide you, grant you success, and inspire you.
But don’t say to me: “How?” I’m not here to give you mathematical formulas and tell you to do this and do that. Success lies in the Hand of Allāh. No good can be achieved except with His help, as Imām ash-Shāfi‘ī, may Allāh have mercy on him, said. You cannot achieve any good without Allāh's assistance. And if Allāh doesn’t assist you, how will you attain success and guidance? {And my guidance and success come only from Allāh.} (11:88)
If you are truthful towards Allāh, He will grant you success, guide you, inspire you, and open doors of goodness for you. Be truthful towards Allāh, and Allāh will be truthful towards you (by aiding you and fulfilling your wish). Truly aid Allāh (by aiding His religion), and Allāh will aid you.
As for saying: “My circumstances and my work distract me,” well, so what? What then? Is there anything preventing you from even during your work reviewing knowledge, revising memorization, or reading in a way that doesn’t conflict with your job? Nothing is stopping you.
I used to… and this is a side note, which I normally wouldn’t mention. This is the first time I’m sharing this. Look, this was more than thirty-four years ago, and beyond. I worked in the public education sector as a teacher before I went to university. The work was a lot, long, and exhausting. However, that didn’t prevent me from reading during my free time, alongside teaching and the many tasks at those schools. For example, I read the entire book "Tahdhīb al-Kamāl," by the grace of Allāh, and extracted from it treasures and benefits.
So, there’s nothing stopping you! What’s preventing you? Don’t say, “I’m tired.. I’m this.. I’m tired...” Everyone is tired! Don’t let these reasons be attached to anything. You throw yourself into every excuse. Is that clear, may Allāh bless you? Don’t be the type to make these excuses: “I’m tired, I don’t have time.” What do you mean you don’t have time? How can that be? You have time to sleep, to play on your phone, and who knows what else, but you don’t have time for seeking knowledge or learning?
This is not appropriate, may Allāh bless you. Occupy yourself with what is beneficial and seek help from Allāh. Make a lot of supplications. Make a lot of supplications that Allāh opens doors for you, grants you success, inspires you, and guides you. Be truthful towards Allāh, and Allāh will be truthful towards you.
Translation: Yasin ibn Jamal