Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem
Wal - Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen was-Salaatu was-Salaamu `Alaa Rasoolillaah, Wa 'ala Alihe wa As-habihe, ajma'een.
Wa Ba'ad:
As Saalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu,
Question: I would like you to give some advice to the beginning students of knowledge
Answer: My advice to the beginning students of knowledge is to seek studentship under those scholars whose creed, knowledge and sincerity are trustworthy. I advise them to start by memorizing and studying the abridged versions of the books of knowledge whilst taking their explanations from the scholars, step by step, particularly following the school cirriculums, which teach the student of knowledge gradual stages, have much good in them. If this student is not registered with one of these organized schools, he should stick to attending the gatherings of the scholars in the masjid, regardless of whether they are classes on Jurisprudence, Grammer, Creed and so on. As for what some of the youth do today, such as begin with the larger works of knowledge or buys several books and sit at home reading and researching them, this does not work. This is not studying, it is just delusion. This is what causes some people to falsely claim knowledge or give rulings on issues without knowledge or speak about Allah without knowledge, since in reality, they are not established upon a firm foundation. So one muust sit in front of the scholars in the gatherings of knowledge, and be patient and diligent, for as Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee (rahimahullah) said:
"Whoever does not taste the degradation of studying for one hour, will swollow (from) the cup of ignorance for the reminder of this life."
Note:
I say: This was at the time of Ibn Rajab may Allah have mercy on him, so what if he were to observe the fake scholars of our time who fill tapes and books with their speech to the point that people become deceived by them due to the great amount of tapes they produce every week and a great amount of books they publish every month. So they think that they are scholars! Ibn Rajab went on to say: "So it is an obligation to believe that not everyone excels in his display of speech and words on knowledge is more knowledgeable than one who is not like this." (Fadlu-'Ilm-is-Salaf 'alaa 'Ilm-il-Khalaf (pg 38-40)
From the factors that should be used to distinguish who it is proper to apply the term "scholar" to in these times, is seniority in age, and that taking knowledge from the seniors (i.e the scholars) is a condition for the acquirement of knowledge. This is especially so in these times sice the senior Scholar most likely possesses more knowledge, has more complete intellect, and is farther removed from the overwhelmingless of desires. Ibn Mas'ood Radiyallahu anhu said about this: "The people will not cease to be upon good so long as they take knowledge from their elders, trustworthy ones, the scholars. But if the take knowledge from their youth and evil ones, they will become ruined."
Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee reported in his book Mukhtasar Naseehatu Ahlil-Hadeeth that Ibn Qutaibah may Allah have mercy on him, was once asked about the meaning of this narration, so he replied: "He means, that the people will not cease to be upon good as long as their scholars are elders, and not youths. Then he gave the reason for this interpretation, saying: "This is since an elder has the playfulness, excitability, hastiness, and foolhardiness of youth come to an end in him. He has developed experience and possesses practical knowledge in him. So no misconception (or doubt) can enter into his knowledge, nor is he overtaken by desires, nor do ambitions divert him. The devil does not cause him to slip up as is the case with the youth. With elder age comes elevation, respect, and awe (on the part of the people) All of these things that an elder is safe from can easily enter a youth. So if these attributes are found in him (i.e a youth) and he issues verdicts (faywas), he becomes ruined and ruin others." (Mukhtasar Naseehatu Ahlil-Hadeeth of Al Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee pg 93) Ibn 'Abdil-Barr included a chapter in his book Jaami' Bayaan-ul 'Ilm wa Fadlihi under the heading "Who has the right to be called a Faqeeh Scholar, in reality and not figuratively?" And who is allowed to issue a fatwa (religious verdicts) according to the Scholars? The student of knowledge and seeker of truth refer to this, for it is important, and Allahu ta'alaa wa'ilm.
Taken from the book Beneficial Questions & Answers on Innovated Methodologies by Sheikh Saalih Ibn Fawzan Al-Fawzaan pg 117-119
Wal - Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen was-Salaatu was-Salaamu `Alaa Rasoolillaah, Wa 'ala Alihe wa As-habihe, ajma'een.
Wa Ba'ad:
As Saalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu,
Question: I would like you to give some advice to the beginning students of knowledge
Answer: My advice to the beginning students of knowledge is to seek studentship under those scholars whose creed, knowledge and sincerity are trustworthy. I advise them to start by memorizing and studying the abridged versions of the books of knowledge whilst taking their explanations from the scholars, step by step, particularly following the school cirriculums, which teach the student of knowledge gradual stages, have much good in them. If this student is not registered with one of these organized schools, he should stick to attending the gatherings of the scholars in the masjid, regardless of whether they are classes on Jurisprudence, Grammer, Creed and so on. As for what some of the youth do today, such as begin with the larger works of knowledge or buys several books and sit at home reading and researching them, this does not work. This is not studying, it is just delusion. This is what causes some people to falsely claim knowledge or give rulings on issues without knowledge or speak about Allah without knowledge, since in reality, they are not established upon a firm foundation. So one muust sit in front of the scholars in the gatherings of knowledge, and be patient and diligent, for as Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee (rahimahullah) said:
"Whoever does not taste the degradation of studying for one hour, will swollow (from) the cup of ignorance for the reminder of this life."
Note:
I say: This was at the time of Ibn Rajab may Allah have mercy on him, so what if he were to observe the fake scholars of our time who fill tapes and books with their speech to the point that people become deceived by them due to the great amount of tapes they produce every week and a great amount of books they publish every month. So they think that they are scholars! Ibn Rajab went on to say: "So it is an obligation to believe that not everyone excels in his display of speech and words on knowledge is more knowledgeable than one who is not like this." (Fadlu-'Ilm-is-Salaf 'alaa 'Ilm-il-Khalaf (pg 38-40)
From the factors that should be used to distinguish who it is proper to apply the term "scholar" to in these times, is seniority in age, and that taking knowledge from the seniors (i.e the scholars) is a condition for the acquirement of knowledge. This is especially so in these times sice the senior Scholar most likely possesses more knowledge, has more complete intellect, and is farther removed from the overwhelmingless of desires. Ibn Mas'ood Radiyallahu anhu said about this: "The people will not cease to be upon good so long as they take knowledge from their elders, trustworthy ones, the scholars. But if the take knowledge from their youth and evil ones, they will become ruined."
Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee reported in his book Mukhtasar Naseehatu Ahlil-Hadeeth that Ibn Qutaibah may Allah have mercy on him, was once asked about the meaning of this narration, so he replied: "He means, that the people will not cease to be upon good as long as their scholars are elders, and not youths. Then he gave the reason for this interpretation, saying: "This is since an elder has the playfulness, excitability, hastiness, and foolhardiness of youth come to an end in him. He has developed experience and possesses practical knowledge in him. So no misconception (or doubt) can enter into his knowledge, nor is he overtaken by desires, nor do ambitions divert him. The devil does not cause him to slip up as is the case with the youth. With elder age comes elevation, respect, and awe (on the part of the people) All of these things that an elder is safe from can easily enter a youth. So if these attributes are found in him (i.e a youth) and he issues verdicts (faywas), he becomes ruined and ruin others." (Mukhtasar Naseehatu Ahlil-Hadeeth of Al Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee pg 93) Ibn 'Abdil-Barr included a chapter in his book Jaami' Bayaan-ul 'Ilm wa Fadlihi under the heading "Who has the right to be called a Faqeeh Scholar, in reality and not figuratively?" And who is allowed to issue a fatwa (religious verdicts) according to the Scholars? The student of knowledge and seeker of truth refer to this, for it is important, and Allahu ta'alaa wa'ilm.
Taken from the book Beneficial Questions & Answers on Innovated Methodologies by Sheikh Saalih Ibn Fawzan Al-Fawzaan pg 117-119
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