However, Sayyiduna Thaabit رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ wanted to sit next to the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. So, he advanced forward, moving people and telling them to make space until there was only one person between himself and the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He then asked that person to move, to which that person replied: ‘Sit down, you have found some space.’ Sayyiduna Thaabit رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ then sat behind him in anger. Later on in the day, Sayyiduna Thaabit رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ squeezed his body and said: ‘Who are you?’ He replied: ‘I am so-and-so person.’ Sayyiduna Thaabit رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ mentioned his mother’s name and said: ‘Son of so-and-so.’ Upon this, the man lowered his head in embarrassment, because in that era, such words were used to bring shame. Then the above Ayah was revealed.”^[1]

Imam Ahmad bin Hajar Makki Shaf’i رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states regarding this Ayah: “The purport of this Divine command is to not belittle anyone, for it is possible that they are better, superior and closer to Allah Almighty than you are.” ^[2]

Allamah Abdul-Mustafa A’zami رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states: In this age, a sinful and criminal tradition has emerged that the so-called “Shaykhs” and “Pathaans” have made it a norm to mock sincere and pious Muslims by mentioning their occupations like weavers, butchers, barbers etc. In fact, they even humiliate and disparage the scholars just because they belong to a certain caste. They laugh and make fun of them in their gatherings. There are those who were the students of scholars from those castes for years but still belittle and mock their teachers, on the basis of their caste, despite having only become Shaykhs of Tariqah and scholars because of them. They are prideful and arrogant of their lineage and degrade others. By Allah! Tell me, in light of the Quran, how great criminals they are! [He further states:] The Quran has mentioned these rulings and warnings: