Love for Scholars Is Part of the Religion

Dear Islamic brothers! We have heard how much Amīr Ahl al-Sunnah loves Islamic scholars. We too should love the scholars and show them respect and honour, because due to this love, a person comes closer to Islam. Through love for people of knowledge, one becomes accustomed to attending their gatherings, the blessing of which appears as understanding of Islam, and a person becomes a righteous Muslim who is steadfast in offering his prayer.

The fourth Caliph of the Muslims, Sayyidunā ꜤAlī al-Murtaḍā, the Lion of Allah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, says: مَحَبَّةُ الْعَالِم دِيْنٌ يُدَانُ بِه “Love for the scholar is part of religion, and this love brings a person closer to faith.”^[1]

A Cause of Destruction

O devotees of the scholars! In loving the people of knowledge lies goodness for both religion and the world. If we love them and remain close to them, we will stay alert against Satan and his tricks. But if we abandon the company of the people of knowledge, we will be ruined, suffering loss in both our religion and our worldly life.

It is narrated from Sayyidunā Abū al-Dardāˈ رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ that he said: “Become a scholar yourself, or become a student of knowledge, or become one who loves them, or become one who follows them. Do not become the fifth type; you will be destroyed.”

When Sayyidunā Hasan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه (the narrator of this statement from Abū  al-Dardāˈ) was asked, “Who is the one who is destroyed?” he replied, “He is the innovator.”^[2]

From this, we learn that the one who does not love the people of knowledge due to hatred is an innovator, and Allah Almighty disgraces and humiliates an innovator.