The Excellence and Importance of Scholars
The Excellence and Importance of Scholars: The Holy Prophet (S) said: “There are two groups of my Ummah that when they are pious, my Ummah will be upright and when they are immoral my Ummah will be corrupt.”
The Messenger of Allah (S) was asked who they were, and he answered: “The religious scholars and rulers.”
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 49
Imam al-Baqir (‘a) said: “When confronting a sage, try to be more inquisitive than talkative, and learn how to listen well as much as you learn how to speak well, and do not interrupt the statement of anyone.”
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 1, p. 222
The Holy Prophet (S) said: “O’ ‘Ali! Gabriel wished to become a human being for seven reasons, which are:
- Congregational prayer.
- Companionship with scholars.
- Establishing peace between two persons.
- Honouring the orphans.
- Visiting the sick.
- Attending a funeral procession.
- Giving of water to Pilgrims.
- Then, be desirous of these things.”
Al -’Ithna ‘Ashariyyah, p. 245
Imam Amir ul Mu’mineen ‘Ali (‘a) said: “When the utterance of the wise is to the point, it serves as a remedy, but if it is wrong it proves like an illness.”
Nahjul-Balagha, saying No. 265
Imam Hasan al-’Askari, the eleventh Imam, (‘a) said:
“The scholars of our followers (Shi’ah) are the guards of the bounds of Islam. Then, anyone of our followers who undertakes this (duty) is superior to the one who fights in the battle against the Romans, (because this one defends the theological bounds of our followers).”
Al-Ihtijaj, vol. 2, p. 155
Imam Ridha’, the eighth Imam, (‘a) said: “Beware that surely a (true religious) jurist is he who pours forth his benediction unto people, saves them from their enemies, multiplies the blessings of Heaven for them, and earns the Pleasure of Allah the Exalted, for them (through guidance).”
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 5
Imam Amir ul Mu’mineen ‘Ali (‘a) said: ” …The reward of a religious scholar is greater than the reward of a person who is fasting on days and establishes prayers during the night and fights in the Holy War for the sake of Allah. And, when a religious scholar dies, there will appear a gap in Islam which cannot be compensated except by a replacement of that (kind).”
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 43
Imam Amir ul Mu’mineen ‘Ali (‘a) told Kumayl: O’ Kumayl! Those who compile wealth are dead even though they may be living, while the sages (who are endowed with knowledge) will remain as long as the world remains. Their bodies perish but their depictions will exist in the hearts.”
Nahjul-Balagha, saying No.147
Imam Husayn (‘a) said: “…Verily, the paths to Muslims’ affairs and the religious ordinances are in the hands of the godly scholars who are the trusties of Allah in His lawful and unlawful things. …”
Tuhaful-’Uqul, p.172
