[Q]: How can one attain sincerity when seeking Islamic knowledge?

[A]: Sincerity when seeking knowledge is attained by means of the following:

1. That one intends to fulfil Allāh’s command by way of that, because Allāh commanded the pursuing of Islamic knowledge, for He said:

   فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ

   “So (be firm in your) knowledge (O’ Muḥammad) that none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh (alone). And seek forgiveness for your shortcomings…”
   (Muḥammad, 47: 19)

   He—the Most High—has encouraged seeking Islamic knowledge, stipulating that He loves, is pleased with, and commanded the pursuit of this knowledge.

2. That one intends to preserve Allāh’s sharīʿāh (legislation, law, religion). This is because conscientious learning, memorising and continual recording of Islamic knowledge are all considered means that facilitate the ultimate preservation of Allāh’s religion.
3. That one intends to protect and defend the sharīʿāh. Were it not for the scholars, there would be no protectors or defenders of the sharīʿāh. For example, Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) and other scholars combated the People of Innovation, clarifying the inherent falsehood of their claims. We perceive such scholars to have facilitated magnanimous good (through the defense of this religion based on their knowledge).
4. That one intends to follow the sharīʿah of Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), which is impossible without one first educating himself.
5. That one intends to rid himself and others of ignorance.

Source: Kitāb al-ʿIlm: 87.
Translated by: Omar ibn Bilāl