The learner of Islamic knowledge should cultivate within himself a sense of self-contentment — al-qanāʿah.
Whatever means of livelihood Allah has made available to him, he should be content with it, even if it is little.
As for clothing, he should make do with whatever he has, even if it is old.
For the learner, patience with limited means of livelihood opens the door to knowledge. It helps him gather his thoughts and frees his mind from distracting worldly ambitions, from which he may derive much wisdom.
Imām ash-Shāfiʿī said:
«لا يطلب أحد هذا العلم بالملك وعز النفس فيفلح، ولكن من طلبه ببذل النفس وضيق العيش وخدمة العلماء أفلح»
«“No one seeks this knowledge while living in luxury and with an attitude of self-importance and succeeds. Rather, whoever seeks it by exerting himself, enduring a restricted livelihood, and serving the scholars will succeed.”»
He also said:
«لا يصلح طلب العلم إلا لمفلس. قيل: ولا الغني المكفي. قال: ولا الغني المكفي.»
«“Seeking knowledge is only suitable for one who is without wealth.”
It was said to him, “Not even for the wealthy person whose needs are adequately met?”
He replied, “Not even for the wealthy person whose needs are adequately met.”»
Imām Mālik said:
«لا يبلغ أحد من هذا العلم ما يريد حتى يضربه الفقر ويؤثره على كل شيء.»
«“No one attains what he seeks of this knowledge until poverty strikes him and he gives this knowledge precedence over everything else.”»
Abū Ḥanīfah said:
«يستعان على الفقه بجمع الهم، ويستعان على حذف العلائق بأخذ اليسير عند الحاجة ولا يزد.»
«“One should seek assistance in acquiring understanding by gathering one's thoughts and concentrating one's attention. One should also seek assistance in cutting off distractions by taking only what is sufficient when necessary, and not going beyond that.”»
These are some of the golden words transmitted from the pious predecessors.
Al-Khaṭīb al-Baghdādī stated that it is recommended for the learner, as much as possible, to remain unmarried, lest marital responsibilities and the pursuit of livelihood distract him from completing his studies.
Imām Sufyān ath-Thawrī said:
«من تزوج فقد ركب البحر، فإن ولد له ولد فقد كسر به.»
«“Whoever gets married has embarked upon the sea; and if he has a child, he has been shipwrecked by it.”»
Therefore, if a learner has no pressing need to marry or does not have the means to do so, it may be better for him to postpone marriage for the time being, particularly if he fears that marriage and its responsibilities will cause him to lose his focus in the pursuit of knowledge.
