The Scholars and Spiritual Masters are Held to a Higher Standard

[ImamGhazzaali]

Imam an-Nawawi {May Allah have mercy upon him} said:

“Everyone is keen to give a Fatwa and they rush to give it, they will not be correct in giving Fatwa and will be confused. If they disliked giving Fatwa but there was no other way but to give a Fatwa, they shall be supported by Allah and their Fatwa will be correct...A Mufti must be pious, religious and knowledgeable.

[Imam] Malik {May Allah have mercy upon him} used to do what other people cannot stand and used to say:

“A Mufti will not be characterized by knowledge until he does things of piety which other people can not do. “

The same saying was reported from his Shaykh, Rabi'atur-Ra'i.

[Adab al-Mufti wal-Mustafti]

قال الحسين بن إسماعيل سمعت أبي يقول كان يجتمع في مجلس أحمد زهاء على خمسة آلاف ، أو يزيدون ، أقل من خمسمائة يكتبون ، والباقي يتعلمون منه حسن الأدب

“More than 5,000 people used to attend the Majālis [lectures] of Imām Ahmad. Less than 500 used to write, and the rest learned themselves good character from him”.

["Ādāb Shar'iyyah", 2/97]

[Malangi]

My Shaikh,while he was extremely old ie above Ninety years of age,partially blind,could not hear properly,and had to be taken to masjid by two,because of his arthritis,....and the masjid was about fifteen minutes of walk away........,once told me: "Look,in the eyes of Sharia I might be considered 'Mazoor' if I don,t go to masjid for Salah,but as I am considered a 'Muqtada', I can,t risk praying at home,fearing you all might take it easy and stop going to masjid,so I drag myself to masjid and don,t act upon Rukhsa".RAHEMAHULLAH..

That is how a Sufi Shaikh,who is looked upon for guidance,should be !

[SeekerOfGuidance]

My Shaikh,while he was extremely old ie above Ninety years of age,partially blind,could not hear properly,and had to be taken to masjid by two,because of his arthritis,....and the masjid was about fifteen minutes of walk away........,once told me: "Look,in the eyes of Sharia I might be considered 'Mazoor' if I don,t go to masjid for Salah,but as I am considered a 'Muqtada', I can,t risk praying at home,fearing you all might take it easy and stop going to masjid,so I drag myself to masjid and don,t act upon Rukhsa".RAHEMAHULLAH..

That is how a Sufi Shaikh,who is looked upon for guidance,should be !

!

Any chance you could tell us who your noble Shaykh is?

[ImamGhazzaali]

Al-Baraa' said: ''I met 300 from the warriors of Badr. There is not one of them, except that he wishes that his companion would suffice him with Fatwa.''

(Al-Faqih al-Mutafaqqih, 2/349)

The 'ulama must beware of fame, for it shall bring about destruction in this life and the next if one falls victim to it.

Abdullah ibn Al-Mubarak said:
Sufyan ath-Thawri said to me:

"Beware of fame. Everyone I met warned me about fame. "

(Siyar A'lam an-Nubala', The Lives of the Noble Figures, Volume 7 pg. 260)

The Shaykh avoids argumentation and does not look down upon people:

[Say (O Muhammad) to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best and decent: for Satan tries to sow discord and enmity among them: For Satan is to man an avowed enemy.]

(Qur'an, Surah al-Isra’ 17:53)

Ma’ruf al-Karkhi said:

"When Allah chooses good for a person He opens the door to action for him, and closes the door to argumentation; and when Allah chooses evil for a person he opens the door of argumentation and closes the door to action."

(Hafiz Khatib Al-Baghdadi, Iqtda Al-‘Ilm Al~‘Amal)

Ibn Hurmuz said,

"When a man is appointed as Qadi, Amir or Mufti he ought to ask one whom he trusts about himself and if he thinks that he is worthy of it he should do it, and if not he should not do it."

~

Sufyan b. 'Uyainah said: ''The most daring of the people to issue verdicts are the least of them in knowledge.''

(Jami' bayan al-'ilm)

Sufyan b. 'Uyainah also said: ''The most knowledgeable with regards to Fatwa are the most silent of them; and the most ignorant with respect to Fatwa are the most outspoken of them.''

(al-Mawsu'ah, 2/350)

[One of the teachers of Imam Bukhari] Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir said:

"A scholar is the medium between Allah and His Servants, so he should be careful about how to convey the message."

Shaykh Ahmad az-Zarruq said:

The conditions of the teaching Shaykh to whom the student must give his nafs over to are five:

[1] Sound knowledge (‘ilm saheeh);
[2] Sound perceptivity or tasting (dhawq saheeh);
[3] Exalted resolution (himmat ‘aaliyaat);
[4] Pleasing spiritual states (haalatun mardiyyat); and
[5] Penetrating inner discernment (baseeratun nafidhatun).

(Umdat as-Salik; Related by Shehu Uthman ibn Fodio, Usul at-Tariqah)

Imam al-Shatibi al-Maliki (May Allah have mercy upon him) mentions three signs and characteristics of an expert qualified teacher:

1) He practices what he teaches,

2) He himself has been trained by a qualified scholar,

3) His students follow and pursue in his footsteps, for if his students generally tend to not follow him, then this is a sign that there is something inherently wrong with him.

(Al-Muwafaqat fi Usul ash-Shari'ah)

[SeekerOfGuidance]

The Worst Under the Canopy of the Heaven

The state of the Ummah is vividly described in the following Hadith:

"Soon will there dawn an age over the people when there will remain nothing of Islam but its name, and nothing of the Qur'aan but its text. Their Masaajid will be beautiful structures while bereft of hidayaat (guidance).

Their Ulama (scholars) will be their worst enemies under the canopy of the Heaven. From them will emerge corruption, and the corruption will rebound on them" (Mishkaat)

[SeekerOfGuidance]

http://alhaadi.org.za/articles-publi...true-love.html

Faqihul Ummah, Mufti Mahmoodul Hasan stated:

"Hazrat Umar (R.A.) once came to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) while wearing a silk garment. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) remarked that silken garments are not permissible for men to wear. Hazrat Umar (R.A.) left the gathering and immediately threw the garment into the furnace and burnt it. The next day when Hazrat Umar (R.A.) returned, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) enquired as to what he had done with the garment. Hazrat Umar (R.A.) replied that he had burnt it. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) explained to him that the garment was not permissible for men. The cloth could have been cut up and used to sew something for his daughters.

The point to understand here is that the one who has true love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) does he have the time to think about what permissible use can be found for this garment. All he considers at that moment is that "my beloved is displeased with this." Hence in his eyes such a thing can only be worthy of being burnt to ashes.

Thus it does not behove of one who takes the name of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and regards himself as being his follower to adopt those ways that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) disliked. Such an attitude is completely wrong.

WHAT IS THE PROOF?
Every claim must be substantiated with proof. A person claims to be a Muslim. He claims to love Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). What is the proof of this claim? The proof should be one's entire life. One's entire life should conform to what Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) desired. Such a person's claim will be justified. However, if one's life is against the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), how can such a person's claim be acceptable? …

Therefore, in order to rectify our lives, we have to adopt the way of life of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Nowadays, Muslims look at the West and see what is their way of living, building homes, dressing, etc., and then prefer to adopt that way. In such an instance who is one imitating? The enemies of Allah and His Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)! Yet the claim is of love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Had this claim been true, we would have searched for the way of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and adopted that way."
(Mawaaiz, Vol. 4)

[SeekerOfGuidance]

NASEEHAT FOR THE ULAMA
BY HADHRAT MAULANA ASHRAF ALI THANVI

"Nowadays gifts and donations are necessarily accompanied by some corruption. If the Ulama prevent their tongues from soliciting funds, Allah Ta’ala will have the means delivered in ways which baffle the mind. Will Allah Ta’ala forget the Ulama if they truly engage in His services?

The attribute of independence should be cultivated only for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. The world will then come forward itself. Stretch your hands to beg from only Allah Ta’ala, not to anyone else. The Ulama have abandoned this way (of independence), hence there is no effect in their words. Keep the gaze focussed on only Allah Ta’ala. He will ensure the accomplishment of His works.

SALF-E-SAALIHEEN
Repose trust on only Allah Ta’ala. Insha’Allah, there will be no starvation. Be active in the service of the Deen. The service itself attracts people. But the intention should never be to attract people.
Embark on only such service which you are able to manage yourself. If there are no funds, never be perturbed. If our hearts become reformed, we shall emulate the ways of the Salf-e-Saaliheen in rendering service to the Deen. They had no need for big structures to execute service for Allah Ta’ala. Every Aalim would teach at his home.

While I am not advocating the suspension of the Madaaris, I emphasise the observance of the limits. (In other words, the Ulama should not disgrace themselves by hankering after the wealth of people even if it is for Deeni causes.) I take oath by Allah and say: If the Ulama execute their duties with sincerity, people will of their own accord come forward to assist. If due to lack of funds the Madrasah has to close down, let it close down. I say to the Ulama: In such a state, sit at home, work and earn your living. If someone comes for lessons, teach him.

If there is no food, rather die in a corner of your home, but do not stretch your hands to others. o¬n the Day of Qiyaamah, tell Allah Ta’ala: ‘I have done whatever was in my power. For doing more, funds were needed, but which I lacked. Those who had funds had refused to give.’ At that time, the necks of people will hang in shame and fear.

What is the aim of service (of the Deen)? It is the radha (pleasure) of Allah. When there were the means to render service to 100 students, this was done. Now (due to lack of funds) if there is o¬nly means to accommodate and teach five students, the thawaab is the same, and along with this the burden is lightened.

Even if the collection of funds is for a noble Deeni purpose, then too it involves some disgrace. This to me is evil. The common evil is that it is a disgrace to the Deen. As for the Ulama, their asking for funds brings disgrace to them, and within a short while all shame is eliminated. Such Ulama become denuded of the effects of Ilm."

[SeekerOfGuidance]

The Advice Of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani To The Ulama
{By Shaykh Hakim Akhtar DB}

Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani addresses the Ulama saying, “O Ulama who are qualifying from Deeni institutions! Before you take the responsibility of preaching from the mimbar, go and sit in the company of an Allah-Wala for 6 months to one year”. Go and serve them with humility so that the Maula of the books you studied may become manifest in your heart. Then your heart will become the possessor of Noor (Divine Light) and thereafter you will be a different person altogether. You will spread the sweet fragrance of Dard-e-Dil wherever you go; whether it is by the riverside, in the jungles, or by the mountainsides, even in the condition where your clothes are tattered out of poverty. The people of wealth and luxury will salute you and search for you saying, “Where is the one who was dispensing the tonic of Dard-e-Dil? Where has he set up his shop?”

I have composed a couplet about this:

In the lap of my poverty, the crown of Caesar is hidden,
A small amount of Dard-e-Dil is no less than attaining both worlds.

[SeekerOfGuidance]

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi states the reason why a true faqeeh is also a Soofi whose purified heart can detect and avoid the deceptions of Shaytaan who seeks to manipulate him:

Without Ma'rifat, a "Faqeeh of Kitaabs" Will Be Manipulated By Shaytaan At Will

"Fiqh would not be defined as the mere superficial perusing of kitaabs. Fiqh is a celestial light (noor) which subsists in the heart. It is the blessing of this that the holder thereof gains an understanding of the Deen. It is this very noor which Allah Ta'ala sometimes snatches away. This is something which is not in the control of man. Now, you can read and study thousands of kitaabs, but because you have no understanding of the Deen, you will never become a Faqeeh.

This noor of fiqh increases with obedience and wanes with sin. That 'Faqeeh' who is not obedient or pious, is a Faqeeh of the kitaabs (and not of the Deen). He is not a haqeeqi (real) Faqeeh and is not included in the class of fuqaha regarding whom Nabi (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) gave glad tidings.

And since we are aware that fiqh is the understanding of the Deen, what doubt can there now be that a Faqeeh is also a soofi. All our Fuqaha, as many as they were, were all Sahib-e-Nisbat and Sahib-e-Ma'rifat (i.e. Walis who followed the Path of Tareeqat). The proper and total understanding of the Deen cannot be acquired without nisbat and ma'rifat. This is the reason why it has been mentioned regarding the Fuqaha, "One Faqeeh is harder on shaitaan than a thousand 'aabids." The person who understands the Deen well, will be privy to the deceptions and ploys of shaitaan. He will not allow a single trick to entrap him. As for the unlearned 'aabid, shaitaan can manoeuvre and manipulate him as he pleases."

[at-Tableeghul Hajil Mabroor, page 138, volume 2]

[SeekerOfGuidance]

The Lifestyles of the Ulama Have to be Distinguished From The Awaam

Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi gave the following naseehat:

“Muhtaram Ulama-e-Kiraam (Mudda Zillukum)

Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh

The lifestyles of the Ulama have to be distinguished from the awaam (general masses). Our lives have to be distinguished from the awaam. Onlookers should be able to fully understand that these people are not seekers of the world, and wealth and riches are not their goal in life. Our work should be mainly for the sake of Allah Ta`ala as was the way of our aslaaf (pious predecessors). As long as a marked difference does not appear in the akhlaaq of our Ulama fraternity and they do not instil within themselves the quality of serving others, they will not be able to influence others neither will they be respected. They will not be able to implant within the minds of others the respect and honour for Deen. The respect of Ulama will never be created by reporting the size of the madrasahs they run and the large number of students studying under them. Rather, the honour for Ulama is created by the way they portray themselves. When the awaam will notice that these Ulama consider it as taboo to lay their hands on that which they (awaam) will sacrifice their lives for (i.e. the material possessions etc.), nor do they show any concern for it, they will eventually say to themselves that we thought that riches were the ultimate in life but, in the eyes of the Ulama riches hold no weight.” (Tuhfatul-A’immah, p. 77)