Light of the Scholar: Shihab al-Din al-Qarafi al-Maliki D. 1285 A.H
The Prophet [May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him] said:
“The virtue of the scholar, in comparison to the worshiper, is like the virtue of the full moon in comparison to the stars.”
The Hadith:
This is part of a long hadith related by al-Tirmidhi on behalf of the great companion Abu Darda [May Allah be pleased with him]. Al-Tirmidhi states that the chain of this narration does not connect to the Prophet [May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him.]
Fiqh of the Hadith:
Imam al-Qarafi wrote:
“As for the comparison [of the scholar] to the full moon, then there are a number of benefits:
- The scholar’s quality is based on the extent he follows the Prophet [May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him]. This is because the Prophet [May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him] is the sun [metaphorically]. Allah says, “Indeed, We sent you as a witness, a giver of glad tidings and a warner. And [We sent you] as an illuminating torch.” The torch is the sun as Allah says, “And We made an illuminating torch.”
- Just as the moon’s light derives benefit from the sun, as they draw nearer to each other, becoming full. The likeness of the scholar is the same! Every time he turns towards the Prophet [May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him] and [gives] his attention to him [May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him], he increases his completion and perfection [as a scholar].
- When the scholar turns away from the Prophet [May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him] his state becomes gloomy and his condition becomes corrupted, just as the moon darkens when something comes between it and the sun.
- The stars that exist, in proximity to the full moon, are like lifeless bodies which are ineffective. The brightness of the moon is glorious in its benefits, spreading illumination and dispatching light through the entire world, land and sea. This is the state of a scholar. As for for the worshiper, he is like a star whose light does not leave its place, nor does its benefit reach others.”
al-Dhakhira vol. 1 pg. 44
jazakal-lahu-khayra brother suhaib for your fantastic post on light of the scholar
Subhana Allah! That was dope!
Dear Imam Suhaib,
Assalaamualayakum. I don’t have your new email address and I would like to contact you.