Question
Can you please source this?
إن استطعت فكن عالما فإن لم تستطع فكن متعلما، وإن لم تستطع فأحبهم، وإن لم تستطع فلا تبغضهم
‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul ‘Aziz (rahimahullah) said: “[People use to say] Become a scholar if you are able to. If you are not able, then be a student. If you cannot then love them. If you are unable to do that also then [at least] do not hate them.”
Answer
Imam Ibn ‘Abdil Barr (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration. The narration is suitable to quote as reported.
(Jami’u Bayanil ‘Ilmi Wa Fadlihi, Hadith: 143)
Also see here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar