 (1090 Reads)(448 total words in this text)
The Non-Practising Aalim Commenting on the evil of a non-practising Aalim, Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (rahmatullah alayh) said: <DIR>"It appears in the Hadith that on the Day of Qiyaamah a man will be seen circling his entrails which will be outside his body. People will enquire about his fate. Why he is being punished in this way? He will reply: "I did not practise in accordance with my knowledge." Of what benefit and pride can be such a knowledge which will be Allah's evidence against a man? Have you not heard that the Hadith says that for the ignoramus (jaahil) there is one 'Wail' and for the non-practising Aalim there are ten 'Wails'. (Wail is a terrible section in the dregs of Jahannum). Is there some other creation who has to act according to the knowledge of the Deen? Are these teachings not for us to follow? Although all Ulama are not in this class (of non-practising Aalims), nevertheless, even one such Aalim is a blot and a cause of complaint. The ruin which ensues is not restricted to the one non-practising Aalim. Others too are influenced by this one non-practising Aalim. The damage caused by the non-practising Aalim is twofold. one: Observing his actions, laymen gain audacity and perpetrate evil. Two: People lose confidence in all Ulama as the a result of his misdeeds." BE RESPECTFUL </DIR>Although it is permissible for every Muslim, layman or Aalim, to admonish and execute the duty of Amr Bil Ma'roof, laymen should not be disrespectful when they present naseehat to non-practising Aalims. They should bear in mind their rank and present the naseehat with sincerity and respect. They should regard the non-practising Aalim as a physician who does not observe the dietary rules necessary for health. Even if the physician does not adhere to health rules, the patient will still be bound to act according to his prescription. In all states the physician will be honoured. KEEP ALOOF "It is imperative to refrain from the Aalim who misleads people with baseless fatwas issued for the sake of nafsaani motives. He is like a fraudulent physician. He is false and a robber. on the other hand, if the non-practising Aalim presents the truth, listen to him and act according to his rulings, but refrain from his company. Sit in the company of only a practising Aalim who follows the Sunnah perfectly so that you gain enthusiasm for the Aakhirah and for practising righteousness."
(Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi) | 
