The Rights of The (Upright) Scholars and Teachers

Imam Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated: They [i.e. (the upright) scholars and teachers] are the mediators between the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and his Ummah with regards to propagation of his religion and clarification of his sharee-ah. Had it not been for these ones, the people would have been like cattle. Their rights are greater than the rights of the fathers and the mothers; for indeed they nurture the souls and hearts of the slaves upon the beneficial sciences and sound knowledge. They are the ones who guide the Ummah in the fundamental and subsidiary affairs of their Religion. They return them to the rulings pertaining to the rights and dealings that are incumbent upon a person to fulfil, just as they return them to the affairs pertaining to affairs of worship. Through them the Book and the Sunnah are established; truth is made clear truth from falsehood, guidance as opposed to misguidance, the lawful as opposed to the unlawful, good as opposed to evil, and rectification as opposed to corruption. They are of varying ranks, in accordance with what they establish of knowledge, teaching and benefit, great or small. They have great rights (to be fulfilled) by the ummah and are in possession of a sublime status. Therefore, the people must have love and respect for them. They must recognize their excellence and virtue, and thank them greatly. They are to supplicate for them in private and public, and seek nearness to Allaah by having love for them and praising them. They are to proclaim their excellence, and guard the hearts and the tongues against insulting them, which when present would tarnish their excellence. ~ [For further details, see: Noorul Basaa-ir Wal Albaab Fee Ahkaamil Ibaadaat Wal-Mu-aamalaat Wal Huqooq Wal Aadaab, page: 57-58)|Courtesy of: The Salafi Centre of Manchester]