Question
Please provide the incident in which Imam Sufyan (rahimahullah) rebuked a young student of knowledge who sat at the front of his gathering and acted arrogantly towards those older than him. Imam Sufyan then told him to leave and not attend his gathering again.
Answer
You are probably referring to the following incident recorded by Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) in Al Madkhal.
A young student of knowledge once attended the gathering of Imam Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah). He was putting himself forward, speaking, and acting arrogantly because of his knowledge towards those older than him.
Imam Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah) became angry and said:
“The pious predecessors were not like this. They would not claim leadership, nor would they sit at the front of the gathering, until they had sought knowledge for thirty years. Yet you act arrogantly towards those older than you? Get away from me, and do not let me see you coming near my gathering again.”
(Al Madkhal ila Kitabis Sunan: 1776)
Also see here
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
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التخريج من المصادر العربية:
المدخل إلى كتاب السنن للبيهقي:
(١٧٧٦) – أخبرنا أبو عبد الله الحافظ، أخبرني علي بن محمد المروزي، حدثنا أبو بكر محمد بن سليمان قال: سمعت أبا عاصم يقول: سمعت سفيان الثوري، وقد حضر مجلسه شاب من أهل العلم، وهو يترأس، ويتكلم، ويتكبر بالعلم على من هو أكبر منه، قال: فغضب سفيان وقال: لم يكن السلف هكذا، كان أحدهم لا يدعي الإمامة، ولا يجلس في الصدر حتى يطلب هذا العلم ثلاثين سنة، وأنت تتكبر على من هو أسن منك؟ ! قم عني ولا أراك تدنو من مجلسي! .