𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵: “𝗜 𝗔𝗺 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲” One of the growing diseases among today’s Muslim youth is the premature and self-proclaimed title: "I am a student of knowledge" (Talib al-Ilm). Attend two or three Islamic classes, watch a few YouTube videos, maybe take a short online course—and suddenly, you think you’ve become a Talib al-Ilm? What is this? Ignorance? Or self-amazement Imam Ibn al-Mubarak رحمه الله said: "When a man assumes he has knowledge, he has become ignorant." -- Al-Majālisah wa Jawāhir al-ʿIlm (p. 312) It’s honestly both funny and tragic to see some youth sitting in the comfort of their homes, watching a few videos online, and thinking they've ascended into the ranks of the true seekers of knowledge. Worse still, the performance begins—Instagram stories, WhatsApp statuses, captions like: "In my era of seeking knowledge", "Talib al-Ilm", "Currently reading this book", "Just completed this course." Kiske liye kar rahe ho? Allah ke liye na? Toh Allah ko maloom hai. Tumhe chillane ki zarurat nahi hai social media pe. Kiske validation chahiye tumhe? If it’s sincerely for Allah, then keep it between you and Allah. Real sincerity doesn’t seek a stage or followers. Imam Al-Aajurri رحمه الله said: "Some people don't seek knowledge in order to worship Allah. They want to be known as students of knowledge." (Akhlaq al-ʿUlamaa, p. 116) This is riyaa’ (show-off), self-deception, and spiritual destruction. And here’s the contrast: The greatest scholars from the salaf—those who memorized the Qur’an, mastered hadith, tafsir, fiqh, and the Arabic language—used to say, "We are only beginners; mere students of knowledge." These were men whose footsteps we aren't even worthy to walk in, yet their humility was deeper than their knowledge. Meanwhile, today’s youth take a weekend course or finish a single book and start calling themselves “Talib al-Ilm.” Learn to humble yourself. Know your place. This path is sacred, heavy, and lifelong—it isn’t an identity badge you wear on Instagram. May Allah protect us from riyaa’, self-delusion, and this spiritual disease of fake status and show-off. Ameen.