Author: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
The Fate of Scientific Arrogance (Part Nine)
The Duties of a Seeker of Knowledge
One of the duties of a seeker of knowledge is not to become arrogant because of their knowledge, not to give commands to their teacher, and to entrust their affairs to their instructor. In every detail and in all advice, the student should obey the teacher, just as a patient places their trust in a skilled and compassionate doctor. Likewise, the student should show humility toward the teacher and seek reward and honor through serving them.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: «لَيْسَ مِنْ أَخْلَاقِ الْمُؤْمِنِ التَّمَلُّقُ إِلَّا فِي طَلَبِ الْعِلْمِ» Translation: “Flattery is not among the traits of a believer—except in the pursuit of knowledge.” [1]
A student should not act arrogantly toward their teacher. One sign of arrogance is that if a teacher explains a lesson incorrectly, and the student who understands the subject assumes the teacher is ignorant and considers themselves superior, they may go around spreading the idea that their teacher lacks knowledge and that they are more knowledgeable. Regardless, this behavior is unacceptable, and the respect due to a teacher must be preserved, even if the teacher possesses only a little knowledge.
Imam al-Ghazali (MABH) says: “The right of the teacher surpasses even the right of one’s parents, because while parents are the cause of one’s temporal existence, the teacher is the cause of one’s eternal life. If it were not for teachers and instructors, even worldly life would face hardship, corruption, and ruin. Indeed, through teaching beneficial worldly sciences and religious knowledge, teachers bring goodness and benefit to the lives of people.” [2]
Ostentation in Knowledge
A seeker of knowledge must strive not to let pride, showing off, or pretentiousness enter their heart. They must always guard their intention so that the goal of seeking knowledge remains solely the pleasure of Allah and the reward of the Hereafter. For arrogance and ostentation are destructive diseases that nullify one’s deeds and bring shame and Hellfire on the Day of Judgment. Jabir ibn Abdullah narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Do not learn knowledge in order to boast before scholars or to argue with the ignorant, nor to seek status in gatherings. Whoever seeks knowledge for such purposes will enter the Hellfire.” [3]
From this hadith, we understand that anyone who pursues religious sciences with the goal of gaining worldly benefits—such as high academic degrees, government employment, fame, or recognition—is in reality a merchant, not a scholar. Such a person has turned knowledge into a commodity to be traded for the fleeting possessions of this world. Hence, this so-called scholar, in the eyes of Allah, will have no reward in the Hereafter, because religious learning, like other acts of worship, is only accepted with sincerity and a righteous intention.
Abdullah ibn Abbas said: “If scholars knew the true value of knowledge and acted upon it, Allah would compel the angels and the righteous to love them, and their status among people would be elevated. But they have turned knowledge into a means for worldly gain, so Allah has become displeased with them, and their dignity has been lost in the eyes of the people.”
Be mindful, for when the wind of pride blows, A thousand bundles of worship are not worth even a penny. [4]
Seeking Knowledge for Livelihood
How beautifully Saʿdi (MABH) said:
“Knowledge is for nurturing religion, not for filling the belly.” [5]
Therefore, a student who pursues religious knowledge solely for the sake of attaining wealth and material comfort has in fact brought ruin upon both his worldly life and the Hereafter. Whoever sells piety, knowledge, and asceticism for gain will gather only chaff—and it will all be consumed.
Thus, every student must first and foremost purify their intention and constantly keep it in check. Without a clear purpose and motivation, there will be no genuine passion for learning, and the student will be unable to face the challenges that naturally arise on the path of knowledge.
Some companions of Sufyan al-Thawri (MABH) criticized him, saying, “Why do you not teach the knowledge you have gained to others?” He replied: “By Allah, if I knew that they were seeking knowledge purely for the sake of Allah, I would go to their homes and teach them myself. But we know that their purpose in learning is only to argue with scholars, earn a living, and chase the paltry gains of this world.” [6]
Continues…
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[1] ـ Al-Jami’ al-Saghir fi Ahadith al-Bashir al-Nadhir, Hadith No.: 7652.
[2] ـ Maqam Elm wa Ulama, p. 457.
[3] ـ Jawahir al-Ilm, p. 41.
[4] ـ Ibid., p. 292.
[5] ـ Golestan Saadi, Chapter Eight: On the Etiquette of Conversation, Hikmat No. 4.
[6] ـ Jawahir al-Ilm, p. 157.
