Download PDF: [S] Conduct of the true ‘Ulama (Islamic Story)

In the Hadith Shareef, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has declared that, “Religion is kindness (or goodness).” When the blessed companions asked for who this was, he replied, “For Allah Almighty, for the Angels, for His Divine Books, for His Messengers, for the leaders of Muslims and for the common Muslims.” (Imam Muslim, Imam Tirmidhi, Imam Abu Daud and Imam Nisaa’i).

 

This advice is firstly for me and then for all the rightly guided ‘Ulama out there. It is Waajib for a learned Islamic scholar that he should be sincere in his knowledge. He should also bear in mind that this knowledge is Fard upon him to acquire so that he fulfils the Ibadah of Allah Almighty not according to his wishes, but according to the Divine Command of Allah Almighty. He should not feel that this knowledge is because of his own personal being or because he is someone great. He should believe that this knowledge which he possesses has been given to him through the Infinite Mercy of Allah Almighty. And this knowledge has been given to him so that he will understand how to fulfil the rights of Allah Almighty in matters of Ibadah. He will be able to understand how to fulfil the Faraa’id and how to protect himself from those things which are prohibited.

When it  becomes famous among the people that he is a person who has sound Islamic knowledge and when his teachers also inform him that he can now teach others and when people start to come to him to seek Islamic knowledge, then it is important and necessary that he acts sincerely and with all due to humility. In this manner, the people will begin to respect him. People will be more attracted to him and will desire his closeness. When they are in his presence they will make Du’a for him and also make Du’a for him when they are not in his presence. People will continue to seek his company, they will continue to try and visit him and also seek spiritual benefit from him.

 

What is Wajib upon an Islamic scholar?

 

He should not seek to be famous among the people of power, the rich and the people of stature. Using his knowledge, he should not seek anything from the world. If however, he gets something without asking for it, then there is no harm is taking that which has been given to him. If he wishes to meet anyone in power or a rich person, he should not visit these people to seek his own benefit. He should ask them for the benefit of others. Allah Almighty is certainly aware of the hearts of people. Everything hidden and apparent, He is fully aware of. It is seen that the rich and powerful only favour the ‘Ulama when they are able to help these ‘Ulama for their own personal gain. We have seen many ‘Ulama who have slipped into oblivion on this path and have become misled.

 

One should have that intent, which profits the Muslim Ummah more than anything else. The best of knowledge is that knowledge in which there is practise and through whose fruits there is more benefit. It is said that the worst of scholars are those through whose knowledge there is no benefit. Therefore, the first is acquiring knowledge, the second is practising on this and the third is sincerity and honesty which pleases Allah Almighty.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has stated that, “On the Day of Judgement, the worst punishment will be given to that scholar whose knowledge did not benefit (him or anyone else).” (Imam Suyuti from Ibn Adi, Ibn Maja, Imam Tabarani who have indicated towards its weakness. However, Imam Munaawi has mentioned that its basis is certainly strong.)

 

It is has been recorded by Imam Hakim from the Mustadrak from Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas – may Allah be pleased with him – who narrates that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has stated that, “Among the people on the Day of Judgement, the worst of punishment will be given to that person who is a scholar and through whose knowledge, there was no advantage (in other words, his knowledge did not prove beneficial to him or anyone else).

 

Advice for the ‘Ulama

 

One should display patience at the unfairness sometimes of the public because at times, they are completely oblivious of the status of knowledge which is possessed by the ‘Ulama. One should display kindness towards them and forgive their mistakes. When one is angry, one should swallow one’s anger and he who troubles you, you should pardon him. Do not give stupid answers to someone who is stupid but adopt silence. One should rather walk away from them and protect one’s respect. When you rest, remove all bad thoughts from your mind about these people. Those who backbite about you, turn a blind eye to them. Hadrat Sayyiduna Sufyan Thouri – may Allah be pleased with him – has stated that, “Allah Almighty must protect us from the ignorant Sufi and the scholar who performs bad deeds.” (Al Khulud)