Why does the questioner find happiness in reading the biographies of the Companions, while feeling sadness and frustration when reading the biographies of some of the Righteous Predecessors, sensing that their lives were devoid of public life and exaggerated in their disdain for worldly matters, which makes him feel insignificant compared to them?

The reality of the early Muslims (Salaf of the Ummah) was not limited to seeking religious knowledge and dedicating themselves to it. Rather, they had active contributions to building Islamic civilization and their societies. Knowledge did not prevent them from engaging in trade, agriculture, and various crafts, like Imam al-Layth ibn Sa'd and Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak. The biographies of the imams have shown that many of them were named after their professions, such as "al-Ajurri," "al-Anmati," "al-Bahrani," "al-Barbahari," and "al-Haddad."

Reading the biographies of these luminaries stimulates ambition and strengthens resolve to work and emulate them. It is not a cause for laziness or despair of catching up with them, for the pursuit of good is open. There are contemporary examples, such as Ibn Baz, that indicate the possibility of following the methodology of the Salaf. Their biographies inspire ambition, elevate minds, guide to emulation, and showcase their bright aspects, serving as a motivation for diligence and adopting their ethics.