In this article, we are introducing to you some of the ayaat of the Quran and the narrations from the Ma’soomin (as) regarding the great position and value of the eminent scholars in this Ummah.
We ask Allah swt to guide us to follow his path by following our eminent scholars.
Nor should the Believers all go forth together: if a contingent from every expedition remained behind, they could devote themselves to studies in religion, and admonish the people when they return to them,- that thus they (may learn) to guard themselves (against evil). (9:122)
Among His servants only the scholars fear Allah (35:28)
Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Are those who know equal with those who know not? 39:9
Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks. 58:11
Ali ibn al-Hussein (a.s.) has said:
“If only people knew how much reward there is for seeking knowledge, they would have sought it even if they would have had to shed their blood for it or dive in large waves. Allah the Blessed and Most High revealed to Daniel saying, ‘The most hated among my creatures are the ignorant ones who disrespect the scholars and do not follow them.
The Most beloved to Me in My servants are the pious ones who work hard to become entitled for greater rewards, who always stay close to the scholars, follow the fore-bearing people and accept (the advise of) people of wisdom.” (Kitab Al-Kafi, Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini/ Part 2/ Chapter 4/Chapter on the reward for the scholars and those who seek knowledge/ 5th Hadith).
Abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.) has said:
“Whoever acquires knowledge and practices what he has learned and teaches it to others for the sake of Allah, among the angels of heavens he will be called a great personality. It will be said there: ‘He learned for the sake of Allah, practiced for the sake of Allah and taught it for the sake of Allah.” (Kitab Al-Kafi, Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini/ Part 2/ Chapter 4/ Chapter on the reward for the scholars and those who seek knowledge/ 6th Hadith)
Abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.) has said:
“Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘One of the rights of a scholar is that one must not ask him many questions and must not hold to his garment (excessive questioning). When one would enter in his presence while other people are there one should offer salutation to all of them and special greetings to the scholar only. One must sit before him and not behind him. One must not blink his eyes before him or make hand gestures and must not speak much in his presence such as so and so said so and so opposite to what he says. The length of his meeting must not disappoint one because the case of a scholar is like a fruit bearing tree in which case one needs to wait until the tree lets fruits to fall onto one. The reward for a scholar is greater than that for one who fasts and prays very often and those who fight for the cause of Allah.’” (Kitab Al-Kafi, Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini/ Part 2/ Chapter 6/ Chapter on the Rights of the scholars / 1st Hadith)