Honouring ‘Ilm and the Ulama
Hazrat Moulana Haroon Abasoomar Saheb (rahimahullah)
5-29-2024
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Rasulullah (allallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Indeed, proper conduct and manners, coupled with moderation, makes up for one portion of twenty-five portions of Nubuwwah (Prophethood).”
The meaning of the above hadith is that good manners together with moderation were traits that were found even in the Prophets.
Therefore, the ‘Ulama have mentioned:
“Shari’ah and society encourage that a person learns Islamic conduct and mannerisms, as well as modesty and good behavior.”
One hadith states:
“Learn knowledge and learn its etiquette and respect. Be humble to those from whom you acquire knowledge.”11
Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) also said:
“First acquire etiquette, then aspire for knowledge.”
Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has mentioned:
“I am the slave of whoever taught me a single letter. If he wishes, he can sell me, free me, or even keep me as a slave.”
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has reported that when Khalifah Mahdi came to Madinah, Imam Malik (rahimahullah) went out to meet him. Khalifah Mahdi then gave the order that his two sons, Hadi and Rashid, acquire hadiths from Imam Malik. When Hadi and Rashid came to Imam Malik, he did not allow them entry. When Mahdi heard about this, he expressed his disappointment and anger. At this, Imam Malik remarked:
“’Ilm is deserving to those who respect it and come to it.”
It is reported in Sunan Abi Dawud that Rasulullah (sallallahu‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“To respect our elderly ones, Scholars of Din, huffaz of the Quran, and the just and upright rulers is part of showing reverence to our Creator.”
A hadith reported by Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) states that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) named three categories of people to whom displaying reverence is considered part of displaying respect to Allah Ta’ala Himself.
They are:
1. The elderly Muslim.
2. The hafiz of the Quran.
3. A person of knowledge, whether he is young or old.
It has also been recorded in Al-Adabush Shar’iyyah, that Tawus (rahimahullah) said:
“It is from the Sunnah to revere four people:
1.The Scholar of Din
2. The Elderly
3. The Ruler
4. One’s Father.”
One hadith states:
“To disregard the people of knowledge is deemed to be from the actions of the hypocrites.”32
In another ?adith, Nabi (?allallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Whosoever does not respect the elderly, nor shows affection to our young ones, and does not give due right to the scholars of Din, is not from amongst us.”
True Love for the Teacher
Shaykh Mirza Janejana (rahimahullah) acquired his sanad of hadith from Haji Muhammad Afzal (rahimahullah). Shaykh Mirza (rahimahullah) says: “After completing my studies, haji sahib (rahimahullah) gave me his hat that he wore beneath his turban for fifteen years. That night, I soaked the hat in warm water and the next morning, the water was extremely black, but I drank it. By virtue of that water, my mind and brain opened up to such an extent, that the most difficult of books became easy for me [to understand].
Sayyiduna ‘Ali’s (rahiyallahu ‘anhu) Advice to Students
Amongst the many words of advice of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (rahiyallahu ‘anhu) concerning the rights of an ‘Alim are the following:
• If the ‘Alim has any need, you should be the first to
try and fulfill it.
• Don’t whisper amongst each other in his gathering.
• For Allah’s sake, be respectful towards the ‘Alim.
• If he errs, accept his excuse.
Leave it to the Seniors
Allamah ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullah) said:
“Do not narrate hadith in the presence of someone elder or more knowledgeable than you.”
Ibn Hubayrah (rahimahullah) says:
“We can learn from this that it is necessary for the young to honour their Shuyukh.”86
Ibn Ma’in (rahimahullah) said:
“Any person that holds a gathering of narrating hadith in a place where there is someone better than him, is a fool.”
Footnotes: Hazrat Moulana Haroon Abasoomar Saheb (rahimahullah) is the Ameer and founder of Darul Hadith Research Centre offered the following advices for those going for Hajj: - Translated by:Mawlana Muhammad ibn Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar
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