A joint struggle of every seeker of knowledge is when accomplishing what it seems impossible. Often, an individual will set hindrance in his mind prior lesson with negative sentiments of grasping the knowledge. One will also have a tendency encapsulating self from digesting gems of the teachings from his teacher.

Therefore, the first step of a student is to battle against himself. That is, to overcome his perceptions of limiting self from mastering a tough subject. Beginning with a cognitive break is like the roots of a plant. The analogy of a plant develops roots and utilising it to absorb nutrients. Relatable to a person is as if one allows himself to be receptive. For which, knowledge is then accessible to enter and process in mind.

Indeed, all of this could not possibly happen without seeking help from God. As consistently, like how every religious scholar will remind his students to supplicate du’as to increase memory.

The du’as are as such:

رَبِّ زدْنيِ عِلْماً وَ رْزُقْنيِ فَهْماً

“O’ Allah! Advance me in knowledge and true understanding.”

or

سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ

“Glory be to you, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah; 2:32)

Both du’as are the classic examples of acknowledging that human has no means to receive a piece of knowledge without the grant from the Almighty.

Nevertheless, it is also the responsibility of a seeker of knowledge to rectify himself as a measure from God to grant his help to his servants. As of the fact that with the understanding of every victory comes with an effort and mercy from God. 

With that, when one sets his foot with the right intention and mentality, he will then be able to endure struggles during his studies and beat the odds.