Question

Can you kindly explain the meaning of the following narration:

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Busr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “Some time ago I heard/It used to be said, ‘When you are in a group of people, who number twenty, or more or less, and you examine their faces, and you do not see any person among them who is being respected for the sake of Allah [despite his piety and knowledge], then know well that the condition has weakened [i.e., the people’s piety has decreased and their Din has become weak].”

Answer

‘Allamah Mundhiri (rahimahullah) has cited this narration under the chapter “Encouragement to honour, respect and revere the Scholars and warning against neglecting them and showing no concern towards them.”

(Targhib, vol. 1, pg. 113)

The Hadith simply explains, when you see people of knowledge and Scholars no longer being respected despite their level of knowledge, then know well that the Iman of people has become weak. Disrespecting Scholars is due to Iman being weak.

See the authenticity here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar