Who Should A Student Of Knowledge Befriend

Ibn Jamaa’ah said:

“The student of knowledge should not mix except with either those he can benefit, or can benefit from. And if he is offered the friendship of one who will waste his time with him, will not benefit him, will not benefit from him, and will not assist him in reaching his objective, he should politely end the relationship from the start before it progresses to something deeper, as when something becomes established, it becomes more difficult to change it. There is a phrase that is constantly on the tongues of the Fuqahaa’, “Repelling something is easier than removing it.

So, if he requires someone to befriend, let that person be righteous, religious, pious, wary, intelligent, full of benefit, having little evil, good at complying, rarely conflicting, reminding him if he forgets, cooperating with him when he is reminded, helpful if he is in need, and comforting if he is in distress.”

[Tadhkirat As-Saami’ Wal-Mutakallim, p. 83]

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The Du’aat Are Not A Substitute For The Scholars, By Sh. Saalih Al-Fawzaan

Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan said:

“The presence of ‘intellectuals’ and ‘passionate speakers’ are not a substitute for the scholars in the Ummah. Such people are only well-read individuals. They are not scholars with understanding. Therefore applying the term ‘scholars’ to them is applying a term in other than its proper place. Consideration is given to the facts and not to ascriptions. So many times you wil find people that have good speech and incite the masses, yet they do not possess (true) understanding (of the religion).

The thing that exposes these people is when an incident occurs due to which the people need to know the religious ruling for that matter, since (at this time) the speakers and zealots reveal the limitations of their understanding. It is at this point that the role of the scholars comes in.

So let us take note of this and give our scholars their right, acknowledge their status and virtue, and give everyone of them the position they deserve.”

[Wujoob At-Tathabbut Fil-Akhbaar Wa Ihtiraam Al-‘Ulamaa’, p.50]

The Importance Of Having More Than One Shaykh

Ayyoob said: “If one wants to know the mistake of his teacher he ought to frequent other teachers as well.” [Daarimee, 1/153]

Ibn Al-Mubaarak said: “To reach an authentic statement, one needs to compare the words of scholars which each other.” [Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee, Jaami, 193]

When Ibn Uyaynah delivered his lectures on hadeeth, he was questioned by students whenever he differed from his colleague (Imaam) Maalik. [Humaidee, 226, 238, 281, 934]

The Superiority Of The Understanding Of The Companions, By Ibn Al-Qayyim

Ibn Al-Qayyim said:

“If we compare our understanding to theirs (the companions), there is no doubt that they were more sincere at heart, had deeper knowledge, were more straightforward and were more likely to understand the text correctly than we can do, because Allaah (swt) blessed them with smarter minds, more eloquence, deeper knowledge, a more straightforward approach to the text, proper and quick understanding, little or no impact from other influences, good intentions and fear of the Lord.

The Arabic language came naturally to them, and the correct meanings and concepts were instilled in their hearts and minds. They had no need to examine the chains of narrations and background of the narrators to see if there were any faults in the hadeeth or to assess the quality of the narrators or to examine the fundamentals of the branches of knowledge and the different views of the experts on the principles of Islamic law. They had no need of all of that. For them there were only two steps to follow: (a) Allaah (swt) said such and such, and His Messenger said such and such. (b) What it means is such and such.

They were the most capable of people to go through these two steps easily, and they were the most qualified because all of their energy, knowledge and quality was focused on these two things only.

In comparison, the energies and focus of the later scholars were scattered. Studying the Arabic language and matters connected to it took up a great deal of their intellectual efforts. Understanding the fundamentals of different branches of knowledge took up further efforts, and knowledge of the chains of narration and the backgrounds of the narrators took up even more, as did their focus on examining the books of the shaykhs from whom they were learning, of whom there were many, and what the meant (in their books and in what they said), and so on.

When they reached the point, after all this effort, of seeing to understand the texts with hearts and minds that were exhausted from examining everything that came before they were in a position to examine the text, and after that they had expended their energy in studying things other than the text, then they would understand the text and what it meant with whatever was left of their energy.”

[I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een, 4/149]

True Knowledge Is What Leads To The Fear Of Allaah

Allaah says:

“… It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allaah…” [35:28]

Ibn Katheer said:

“The only ones who truly fear Allaah are the scholars – those who are knowledgeable about Him. This is because every time one’s knowledge and awareness of The Most Great, The All-Able, The All-Knowing, The One ascribed with Perfect Attributes and described by Perfect Names becomes complete and whole, one’s fear of Him becomes greater and increased.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/553]

Al-Bayhaqee said:

“Allaah clarifies that (true) fear of Him can only be achieved through knowledge.” [Shu’ab Al-Eemaan, 5/323]

A man said to Ash-Sha’abee:

“Who is a scholar?”

He replied:

“The scholar is the one who has fear of Allaah.”

‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood said:

“Knowledge is sufficiency for the fear of Allaah and ignorance is a sufficiency for delusion and being mislead.” [Az-Zuhd of Ibn Mubaarak, p.15]

‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood also said:

“Knowledge is not obtaining an abundance of hadeeth, but rather knowledge is obtaining khashyah (fear of Allaah).” [Al-Hilyah, 1/131]

‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood said:

“It is sufficient amount of knowledge for a person that he has fear of Allaah and it is sufficient amount of ignorance for a person that he is amazed by his knowledge.” [Ad-Daarimee, 1/346]

‘Abdul A’laa At-Taymee said:

“Whoever is given knowledge and it does not cause him to weep, then it is appropriate (to say) that he has not been given knowledge that benefits him…” [Ad-Daarimee, 299]

‘Abdullaah Ibn AhmAd Ibn Hanbal said to his father:

“Did Ma’roof have any knowledge?”

Imaam Ahmad replied:

“My son, he had the basis of all knowledge and that is the fear of Allaah.” [Siyar Al-A’laam An-Nubulaa’, 1/339]

Hudhaifah (ra) said:

It is sufficient knowledge for a man that he fears Allaah. And it is a sufficient lie that he says, ‘I seek forgiveness and repent to Him,‘ yet he goes back to doing it.” [Kitaab Al-‘Ilm, of An-Nisaa’ee #14]

Knowledge Or Voluntary Action? By Ibn Rajab

Ibn Rajab said:

“The scholars have differed concerning this issue. Which one is better, studying sacred knowledge or performing voluntary prayers and reciting the Quraan and words of remembrance? Knowledge is better for him who studies sincerely for Allaah’s sake and has a good and clear mind. However, this should still be joined with a good amount of prayers and worship. If you find him to be a serious student but notice that he’s lacking in his worship, it is a lazy and worthless person you’re dealing with, and this person is not truthful when he says his intentions are good.

As for when one studies hadeeth and fiqh simply as an intellectual pursuit, worship is better in such a case. In fact, the difference between the two is like the difference between the normative and superlative. This is a general categorization, and by Allaah, I have only seen a few who are sincere in seeking this knowledge.”

[Ibn rajabs explanation to Aboo Ad-dardaa’s hadeeth, p.96]

‘Alee (ra) Said, “From The Rights Of The Scholar Over You Are…”

‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:

“From the rights of the scholar over you are:

– Give the salaams to the generalpopulas and specifying them (i.e. the scholar) by greeting them particularly.
– Sit in front of him.
– Do not point at him with your hand.
– Do not cut your eyes at them.
– Do not say that so and so opposes your statement.
– Do not backbite anyone in front of him.
– Do not walk through his sitting.
– Do not grab him by his garment.
– Do not pester him if he is tired.
– And do not turn away from his companionship.

He is like the date palm and you are waiting for something to befall you. The believing scholar has a greater reward than the warrior in the Cause of Allaah. When the scholar dies, a void is created in Islaam that will not be filled until the Day of Resurrection.”

[Al-Jaami Li Akhlaaq Ar-Raawee Wa Aadaab As-Saami’, 1/199]