The Noble Shaykh Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:

“As for the happiness of knowledge, nothing will allow you to inherit it except the exerting of oneself, truthfulness in one’s seeking (of it) and the soundness of the intentions. If it wasn’t for the ignorance of most of the people about the sweetness of this delight, they would have debated with one another over it with swords. However, it has been covered with a cloak (made from) the dislikes/difficulties. And they have been screened from it with a cloak from the ignorance (they have) in order that Allah specify with it those whom He wills from His servants. And Allah is the possessor of the great virtue.”

Source: Miftaah Daaris-Sa’aadah 1/167

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah
24th of Rabee’ ath-Thaani, 1436 H (02-14-2015)
Masjid Nur Allah, Queens, NYC

Original Arabic

{{سعادة العلم }}

قال العلامة ابن القيم رحمه الله تعالى :
(( وأما سعادة العلم فلا يورثك إياها إلا بَذل الوسع ، وصدق الطلب ، وصحة النية..
ولولا جهل الأكثرين بحلاوة هذه اللذة لتجالدوا عليها بالسيوف،
ولكن حُفّت بحجاب من المكاره، وحجبوا عنها بحجاب من الجهل،
ليختص الله بها من يشاء من عباده، والله ذو الفضل العظيم ))
(مفتاح دار السعادة (١٦٧/١).