Chapter on the Qualities of the Scholars

“Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said. “Seek knowledge and beautify it with forbearance and dignity. Be humble to your students and to those from whom you learn. Do not be a tyrant scholar lest your falsehood would destroy the truth in you.”

"The meaning of the knowledgable ones (al-'Ulama) are those whose actions testify to the truthfulness of their words and whosever actions are not truthful to their words, then he is not a knowledgable one."

“Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘Do you want me to describe to you the true Faqih, person who truly has a good understanding of religion? A true Faqih is one who does not cause people to despair from the mercy of Allah and does not make them to be unconcerned about the punishment of Allah, who does not allow them to consider disobedience to Allah as permissible and who do not abandon the holy Quran because of being attracted towards other matters. You must know that there is no goodness in knowledge without good understand (Fiqh). You must know that there is nothing good in a recitation without thinking about it. You must know that there is nothing good in worship without thoughtfulness. In another Hadith it says, “ You must know that there is nothing good in a knowledge without good understanding. You must know that there is nothing good in a recitation without thinking about it. You must know that there is nothing good in worship without having a good understanding of religion. You must know that there is nothing good in performing the acts of Hajj etc. without piety.’”

“Of the signs of Fiqh, good understanding of religion is forbearance and quietness.”

“Foolishness and arrogance are not found in the hearts of the scholars.”

Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Sinan in a marfu‘ manner that Jesus son of Mary (as) has said: “O disciples, I have a need that I request you to fulfill." They said, “Your request is granted, Oh Spirit of God.” Jesus then got up and washed their feet, the disciples then said, “It was upon us to serve you, Oh Spirit of God.” So he said, “Of the people who must serve others are the scholars, I acted in this humble way so that you will act among your people in a humble way as I acted before you.” Jesus then said, “With humbleness wisdom is formed, but not with arrogance. Just like how plants only grow on plains grounds, but not on mountains.”

“Imam Ali (a.s.), would often say, ‘O seekers of knowledge, (note that) a scholar has three signs: Knowledge, forbearance and quietness. An orator has three signs: He quarrels those higher then him through disobedience. He does injustice to those lower than him in position through domination and he becomes a supporter of the unjust.’”