The third matter that is necessary for the seeker of knowledge is to take this knowledge… he should take it from teachers not by himself. This is one of the pillars of knowledge and religion. It is not permissible for a person to embark upon religious knowledge by himself. Rather, it is necessary for him to take it from a teacher who will teach him gradually.
In relation to this I will mention two points. The first point is that, the teachers of a student of knowledge are his fathers and grandfathers in knowledge. They are his lineage. Just like a person belongs to a family, household or clan and tribe and similar to that. Those are his genealogical fathers. While his scholars and teachers are his spiritual fathers. His fathers in religion, in knowledge. So whoever doesn’t have any lineage is considered illegitimate. Accordingly, one who does not have a teacher in knowledge is also considered illegitimate in knowledge too. This is the first point.
The second point. Goodness has changed into evil. Praise has become dispraise. Dispraise has become praise. How? These days we have come across a new phenomena. We praise an individual who has no Shaykh. We say, “He is ‘Self-Made’.” Meaning he became a scholar by himself. ‘Self-made’. Dispraise has become praise. This intelligent man. His intellect lead him to this knowledge. This is changing the true reality. I will mention two stories, briefly.
While Imam Ahmad, may Allah be please with him, was in shackles in front of the the leader of believers, the Abbasid Khalifah Mu’tasim. And on his side was the leader of the corruption of that time, Ahmad Ibn Abi Du’aad. The Abbasid Khalifah said to Imam Ahmad, “Ibn Abi Duaad is in front of you, speak to him.” Imam Ahmad said a statement that dealt a fatal blow. He said to him: “How can I speak to someone who I have never seen at the door of a scholar?” One who does not have a Shaykh for religious knowledge, and did not knock on the door of scholars, nor did he travel to them, he should not be paid any attention to nor should he be spoken to. He is deprived due to this.
The second story. Amongst the scholars of Kairouan in Tunisia there is Ja’far Ad-Dawoodi. In Tarteeb Al-Madaarik (book), Imam Al-Qadhi ‘Iyaad writes a biographical entry for him. He praised him in the sciences but he said that he did not take knowledge from one who could give him understanding of religion. The way it should be understood. Then he mentioned that this Imam Abu Ja’far Ad-Dawoodi, he left Kairouan and wrote a letter to the scholars of Kairouan calling them to leave like he left so that they would not remain under the leadership of the Fatimids. Then the scholars of Kairouan wrote this one statement back to him. They said: “Stay quiet, you have no teacher.” Qadhi ‘Iyaad noted regarding this, that it was because he did not take knowledge from a real scholar. As disapproval. They said to him, “Be quiet, you have no teachers This was also a fatal blow.
Whoever’s father is not known in knowledge who instructed him, tutored him, disciplined him and taught him knowledge and how to act upon it should not be paid any attention (Nor should he be held in regard) Never ever. (Whoever’s knowledge is from books, his mistakes will be more than the issues he is correct in). From the numerous mistakes of this Imam Ad-Dawoodi. If we use the software Ash-Shamilah. Meaning, if we searched for the name Ad-Dawoodi in Fath Al-Bari (book) We will see Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, he writes a lot from him because it a commentary of Al-Bukhari. However, he made a massive blunder. Not even a beginner would make. What was it? Abu Ja’far Ad-Dawoodi differed in an issue with Imam Ibn Jarir At-Tabari, may Allah be please with them all. He differed in the understanding of an issue. So what did Abu Ja’far Ad-Dawoodi, who didn’t take from a Shaykh, say? He declared him a disbeliever. (The Shaykh of the commentators of the Quran). Can you believe this? Could any student of knowledge or beginner even say this? No. But the example of this man, of such a status, he made such a blunder.
So whoever does not have a teacher who tutored him, educated, disciplined him in knowledge. who gradually teaches him in stages. He should not be paid any attention Regardless of who he is or what he writes or reaches whatever status.
Whoever does not have a teacher should not be paid any attention to.