The High Status of Scholars and Their Role in Preserving the Ummah

Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah ﷻ be upon you.

“In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.”

“[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds -” (Quran 1:1-2)

The Most High, the Magnificent, Owner of vast bounty,

successive favors, abundant blessings, and conclusive proofs.

I bear witness there is no deity but Allah ﷻ alone, without partner,

Just in His decree, Wise in His actions,

He creates what He wills and chooses,

And I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His chosen Messenger and His favored Prophet,

Allah ﷻ chose him for His message and as the depository of His trust,

making him the Seal of the Prophets and the best of all His creation,

May Allah send His best and most abundant prayers, peace, and blessings upon him,

and upon his brothers among the prophets, and upon his good, pure family,

and upon his noble, blessed companions, and grant them abundant peace.

Welcome, my brothers and sisters, to the first

sessions of this program,

the biography of Imam — in which we speak about the biographies of eminent scholars,

those who made great contributions in the service of Islam and the Muslims,

and that is through the great heritage they left behind for the Ummah.

which it still shades itself under, draws from its spring, and drinks from its pools.

It is a duty upon every Muslim to recognize their value and status.

How could it not be, when Allah ﷻ has magnified the scholars' status,

elevated their standing, and made them the heirs of His prophets and messengers,

standing in their place in conveying the religion of Allah ﷻ.

For the scholars are the shining stars and the bright planets,

they preserved for the Ummah the tenets and strongholds of religion,

and protected its sources and springs from alteration and corruption,

calling those who went astray to guidance, and patiently bearing their harm,

reviving the dead with the Book of Allah ﷻ, and giving sight to the blind with the light of Allah.

How many victims of Iblis have they revived, and how many lost wanderers have they guided!

They are the adornment of the earth, and the torches of light in the depths of darkness,

they are to people like the sun to the world, and like rain to a barren land.

Their favor from Allah ﷻ over His servants

is like the favor of the full moon over all the other stars.

Sahl al-Tustari said: "Whoever wants to look at the gatherings of the Prophets,

let him look at the gatherings of scholars, so recognize this for them." End quote.

The scholars, my brothers and sisters, are like the seller of musk:

either he gives you some as a gift, or you buy from him,

Their companion is never miserable, as in the hadith:

"They are the people whose companion is never miserable."

Allah ﷻ took them as witnesses over the greatest matter to be witnessed,

He took them as witnesses to His Oneness, and He said:

“Allāh witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Quran 3:18)

and the angels, and those possessed of knowledge

“Allāh witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Quran 3:18)

So this verse was a great commendation from Allah ﷻ,

testifying that they are upright overall.

And they are the reference for people when calamities befall them and issues arise.

Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.” (Quran 16:43)

And He, Mighty and Sublime, said:

“And when there comes to them something [i.e., information] about [public] security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them,

then the ones who [can] draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it. And if not for the favor of Allāh upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few.” (Quran 4:83)

Shams al-Din Ibn al-Qayyim (RH) says,

He says: "The jurists of Islam, and those upon whose statements fatwa revolves among mankind,

who were specifically chosen to derive rulings, and concerned with establishing the rules of halal and haram,

they are on earth like the stars in the sky,

by which the confused are guided in the darkness.

The people's need for them is greater than their need for food and drink,

and obedience to them is more obligatory than obedience to parents, by the text of the Book.

Allah Almighty said: "O you...

“O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allāh and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allāh and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.” (Quran 4:59)

Abdullah ibn Abbas said—this is still the words of Ibn al-Qayyim—

Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA), in one of the two narrations from him, and Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA),

and al-Hasan al-Basri, Abu al-Aliyah (al-Riyahi), and 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah,

al-Dahhak, and Mujahid in one of the two narrations: "Those in authority are the scholars."

This is one of the two narrations from Ahmad (RH). Abu Hurayrah (RA) and Ibn Abbas (RA) said,

and in the other narration from Ibn Abbas, Zayd ibn Aslam, al-Suddi, and Muqatil: "They are the rulers."

This is also the second narration from Ahmad (RH).

He said: "The correct view is that rulers are only obeyed if they command in accordance with knowledge; thus, obedience to them is subordinate to obedience to the scholars,"

end of his quote. The scholars are among the people who fear Allah the Almighty the most.

Allah the Almighty said:

“And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allāh, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.” (Quran 35:28)

...the scholars." And He, the Almighty, said: "That is for he who has feared his Lord."

And He, the Almighty, said: "they are the best of creatures."

Ibn Jama'ah al-Kinani al-Shafi'i (RH) said:

"Thus, the two verses imply...

“And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allāh, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.” (Quran 35:28)

the scholars: "those are the best of creation,"

that the scholars are those who fear Allah ﷻ, [and they] are the best of creation,

so it follows that the scholars are "the best of creation."

And indeed, Allah ﷻ has raised the status of the scholars in this world and the Hereafter.

Allah ﷻ says:

“O you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in assemblies, then make space; Allāh will make space for you. And when you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allāh will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allāh is Aware of what you do.” (Quran 58:11)

"...by degrees." And no one can equal them in their rank and status,

He ﷻ says:

“Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.” (Quran 39:9)

...people of understanding."

And Allah ﷻ has praised them for understanding Allah's intent in ways others cannot,

and grasping what others do not.

He Almighty says: "And these examples...

“And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.” (Quran 29:43)

...the knowledgeable.' And He ﷻ says: 'And those firmly grounded...

“It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allāh. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.” (Quran 3:7)

And He ﷻ says: "But those firm...

“But those firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what was revealed before you. And the establishers of prayer [especially] and the givers of zakāh and the believers in Allāh and the Last Day - those We will give a great reward.” (Quran 4:162)

And He ﷻ said:

“And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allāh the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path.” (Quran 22:54)

And He ﷻ says:

“And those who have been given knowledge see that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, and it guides to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.” (Quran 34:6)

And He ﷻ says: "Rather, it is clear verses..."

“Rather, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.” (Quran 29:49)

My brothers and sisters, the scholars

are the most insightful of people regarding evil and its pathways,

and regarding falsehood, its entry and exit points.

For they look with the light of Allah ﷻ.

Allah ﷻ said:

“Then on the Day of Resurrection He will disgrace them and say, "Where are My 'partners' for whom you used to oppose [the believers]?" Those who were given knowledge will say, "Indeed disgrace, this Day, and evil are upon the disbelievers" -” (Quran 16:27)

...the disbelievers."

And He ﷻ said:

“But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allāh is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."” (Quran 28:80)

Shams al-Din Ibn al-Qayyim (RH) said:

"The one firmly grounded in knowledge, even if doubts as numerous as the waves of the sea

were to come upon him, they would not shake his certainty nor instil any doubt,

because he is firmly grounded in knowledge, so doubts do not unsettle him.

Rather, when they come to him, the guard and army of knowledge repel them, shackled and defeated.

End of his words (RH).

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, scholars are a blessing from the blessings of Allah ﷻ,

and it is obligatory upon people to preserve His blessings, Glorified and Exalted be He ﷻ,

and it is obligatory upon them to thank Allah ﷻ for His blessings.

Al-Biqa'i says that rejecting the scholars' knowledge and not following them is altering the blessing of Allah ﷻ,

Therefore, people must show gratitude for this blessing—the blessing of the presence of scholars in the Ummah.

My brothers and sisters, scholars...

They are known for their firmness and steadfastness in times of trials and doubts,

when understandings go astray and feet slip.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) said:

"Do not take the living as examples; take those who have died as examples,

for the living are not safe from fitnah."

Scholars, my brothers and sisters, are also known for their fear

and awe of Allah, and their mindfulness of Allah ﷻ.

Allah ﷻ says: "[Those] who convey the messages...

“[Allāh praises] those who convey the messages of Allāh and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Accountant.” (Quran 33:39)

And He, Glorious and Exalted, says:

“And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allāh, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.” (Quran 35:28)

The scholars are the allies of Allah ﷻ.

The scholars are the allies of Allah ﷻ. He ﷻ said:

“Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allāh there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve -”

“Those who believed and were fearing Allāh.” (Quran 10:62-63)

And the Prophet ﷺ says that Allah ﷻ said, meaning in the Hadith Qudsi:

"Whoever shows enmity to a Wali of Mine, I have declared war against him."

"Whoever shows enmity to a Wali of Mine, I have declared war against him."

Al-Shafi'i, Muhammad ibn Idris, the well-known Imam, says:

“If the scholars are not the Awliya of Allah, then I do not know any Wali of Allah.”

Thus says Al-Shafi'i (RH).

It is enough of a status for the scholars that the angels lower their wings for them, in approval of what they do,

and that those in the heavens and those on the earth, even the fish in the sea,

and even the ant in its hole, pray for forgiveness for the people of knowledge. Why?

Because they teach people what is good.

In reality, the presence of scholars in the Ummah is a great gain,

and their death is a loss and a calamity.

The Prophet ﷺ says:

"Indeed, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people,

but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars,

until when no scholar remains, people will take ignorant leaders as guides.

They will be asked and give fatwas without knowledge, straying and leading others astray.

My brothers and sisters, scholars remain among the people

through their beautiful memory and great impact, even if they are dead in their graves.

The Prophet ﷺ says:

"When the son of Adam dies, his deeds end except for three: a continuous charity,

or knowledge benefited from, or a righteous child who prays for him."

And there is no doubt that the scholars...

...have a legacy and left behind benefit for this Ummah.

There are those who died centuries ago, and their memory still remains,

and their heritage is still present through these compilations and books.

"Pride is only for the people of knowledge; they guide to guidance those who seek it."

And the value of every person is what they do well,"

And the ignorant are enemies to the people of knowledge.

So gain knowledge, you will live forever by it.

People are dead, and the people of knowledge are alive.

Indeed, scholars have a special right over people that must be observed,

which is to love and respect them, unite hearts around them, and speak well of them.

They are the heirs of the Prophets (AS).

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“He is not of us who does not respect our elders, show mercy to our young,

and recognize the right of our scholar.”

And Imam al-Tahawi (RH) said:

"And the scholars of the Salaf — the predecessors and the Successors after them,

the people of goodness and Hadith, and the people of fiqh and insight,

are not to be mentioned except with goodness.

And whoever mentions them with evil is on other than the right path."

And Al-Hafiz Ibn Asakir al-Dimashqi said:

“Know, my brother—may Allah grant us success—”

and you to His pleasure,

and make us among those who fear Him and guard against Him as He deserves,

that the flesh of the scholars (RH) is poisonous,

and Allah's custom in exposing those who disparage them is well-known,

for slandering them with what they are innocent of is a grave matter,

and attacking their honor with falsehood and fabrication is a dangerous pasture,

and opposing those whom Allah chose from among them to spread knowledge is a vile trait.

End of his quote.

Allah ﷻ says:

“And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned [i.e., deserved] have certainly borne upon themselves a slander and manifest sin.” (Quran 33:58)

If harming the generality of believing men and women makes one bear a great slander,

then what about harming the godly scholars?

Taqi al-Din Abu al-Abbas, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (RH), says:

“It is obligatory upon Muslims, after loyalty to Allah and His Messenger, to be loyal to the believers, as stated in the Quran,

especially the scholars, who are the inheritors of the Prophets,

whom Allah has made like the stars by which people are guided in the darkness of land and sea.

The Muslims have agreed upon their guidance and knowledge.

For in every nation before the sending of Muhammad ﷺ,

their scholars were the worst of them, except for the Muslims.

For their scholars are the best of them, as they are the successors of the Messenger in his Ummah,

and the revivers of what had died of his Sunnah.

Through them the Book stood, and by it they stood; through them the Book spoke, and by it they spoke.”

End of his quote, may Allah have mercy on him.

And there is no doubt, my brothers and sisters,

that wandering in the gardens of knowledge and scholars, and in their lush orchards,

has many benefits, precious returns, and diverse, numerous blessings.

"So emulate them if you are not like them,

for emulating the noble is success."

This is indeed what I aimed for and intended by these gatherings,

which is to recount the biographies of these scholars, to fulfill their right and to remind people

of their true role models, who are a source of pride and honor, and to follow their path.

I ask Allah ﷻ for help, support, guidance, success, and protection from error,

and correctness in speech and action.

And, by the permission of Allah ﷻ, from the next gathering, I will begin by mentioning the first figure among these scholars,

to discover something of their biographies, their lives, and their works,

and the services they rendered to the Islamic Ummah.

So stay tuned for the next gathering, by the permission of Allah ﷻ.

And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah ﷻ and His blessings.