One of the critical challenges in the contemporary dawah landscape is the varying attitudes toward scholars. At one extreme, some individuals place excessive emphasis on their association with certain scholars, viewing their approval as a necessary affirmation of one’s religiosity. This can lead to an over-reliance on personal endorsements rather than a focus on knowledge and adherence to the truth.
On the other end, there are those who diminish the role of scholars, questioning their relevance, dismissing their insights, and at times, openly undermining their authority. This approach disregards the position scholars have been given in Islam as the inheritors of the prophets, entrusted with preserving and conveying religious knowledge.
Both perspectives present challenges to the proper transmission of knowledge and the integrity of Islamic scholarship. Striking a balanced approach—one that recognizes the value of scholars without excessive attachment or undue criticism—is essential for maintaining the correct understanding of the religion.
This discussion will examine common missteps in how scholars are regarded, their underlying causes, and the broader impact they have on dawah efforts.
Mistake 1: The Misuse and Over-Reliance on Tazkiyah
While scholarly endorsement (tazkiyah) holds value in identifying reliable individuals in dawah, an extreme reliance on it can become problematic. Some individuals view their relationship with specific scholars as a defining factor in their religiosity, seeking repeated affirmations and prioritizing personal validation over adherence to truth.
This manifests in a cycle where one feels the need to regularly be seen by a particular scholar, ensuring continued approval. This practice shifts the focus from sincerity and commitment to Islam itself toward maintaining status within a specific scholarly circle.
Tazkiyah is not the ultimate measure of righteousness. A person’s standing before Allah ﷻ is determined by their faith and deeds:
يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ
"Allah raises those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees." (Surah Al-Mujadilah 58:11)
Scholarly recommendation serves a role, but it should not be exaggerated into a requirement for one's religious identity or credibility as a practicing Muslim. The concern is not the existence of tazkiyah but rather its overuse as a personal validation tool rather than a means of ensuring trustworthiness in dawah.
Mistake 2: The Belittling of Scholars and Rejecting Their Status
On the opposite extreme, some dismiss scholars entirely, arguing that they are detached from reality and that their rulings are irrelevant in modern contexts. This perception leads to a dangerous trend of undermining scholarship and disregarding the necessity of religious authority.
This group often justifies their stance by citing past scholarly errors, attempting to discredit their wisdom. They say things like:
- "Scholars don’t understand our current reality.”
- "Their fatwas are outdated."
- "They once ruled coffee as haram, and now it’s halal—so why trust them?"
This attitude contradicts the Quranic emphasis on the elevated status of scholars:
يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ
"Allah raises those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees." (Surah Al-Mujadilah 58:11)
Imam Al-Qurtubi رحمه الله, in his tafsir, explains that scholars are raised above the general believers in status because of the knowledge Allah has granted them.
- Ibn Asakir رحمه الله warned against disrespecting scholars, stating:
لُحُومُ الْعُلَمَاءِ مَسْمُومَةٌ، وَعَادَةُ اللَّهِ فِي هَتْكِ أَسْتَارِ مُنْتَقِصِيهِمْ مَعْلُومَةٌ، فَمَنْ أَطْلَقَ لِسَانَهُ فِي الْعُلَمَاءِ بِالثَّلْبِ، ابْتَلَاهُ اللَّهُ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِمَوْتِ الْقَلْبِ
"The flesh of the scholars is poisonous, and the way Allah deals with those who slander them is well known. Whoever speaks against them unjustly, Allah will afflict him with the death of his heart before his physical death." (Tabyīn kadhib al-muftarī: 36)
This does not mean scholars are beyond critique, but rather, it warns against baseless accusations and slander that harm the integrity of Islamic scholarship.
The Proper Role of Tazkiyah in Dawah
While tazkiyah should not be misused as a status symbol, it remains essential for verifying credibility in religious discourse. Not everyone is qualified to teach or issue rulings, and tazkiyah serves as a safeguard to ensure that those who speak on religious matters do so with proper knowledge.
Islamic tradition identifies two primary ways of establishing a person’s scholarly credibility:
- Direct Endorsement from Scholars – A scholar explicitly recognizes an individual’s knowledge and reliability in teaching Islamic principles.
- Public Reputation for Knowledge and Sunnah – A person becomes well-known for their dedication to Islamic learning and adherence to the Sunnah, demonstrating their reliability over time.
This ensures that those who take on roles of religious instruction are adequately prepared.
- Imam Malik رحمه الله emphasized this principle, stating:
لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ لِلْتَّحْدِيثِ وَالْفُتْيَا جَلَسَ، حَتَّى يُشَاوِرَ فِيهِ أَهْلُ الصَّلَاحِ
"Not everyone who wishes to sit in the mosque to teach and give fatwa may do so, until the righteous people consult about him and confirm his eligibility." (Tartīb al-madārik: 1/140)
In a time when misinformation can spread easily, ensuring the credibility of those teaching Islam is a necessity. It is reasonable to ask someone:
- Who are your teachers?
- Where did you study?
- What is your background?
If no clear answer is provided, there are valid concerns about their reliability in teaching Islam.
Thus, tazkiyah is not invalid, but its role must be understood correctly. It is a way to confirm someone’s knowledge and reliability—not a status symbol or something that should be pursued more than striving to benefit the Ummah and serve the religion of Allah.
Conclusion: Striking the Balance
The correct approach lies between the two extremes. We should neither blindly follow scholars without critical thinking nor dismiss them as irrelevant. The scholars are the custodians of Islamic knowledge, chosen by Allah to preserve and transmit the religion.
- The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah said:
مَنْ عَادَىٰ لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ
"Whoever shows enmity to My wali (close servant), I have declared war against him." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6502)
Scholars deserve respect. While no individual is infallible, their collective role is indispensable.
It is crucial that we safeguard the status of scholars, seek knowledge from authentic sources, and ensure that those speaking on behalf of Islam are properly qualified. By doing so, we maintain the integrity of the dawah and preserve the sacred trust of Islamic knowledge.
May Allah ﷻ guide us to a balanced and respectful approach towards our scholars.
Understanding the role of scholars is essential for anyone engaged in dawah. Avoid common mistakes and deepen your knowledge with structured, reliable learning. Start your journey toward authentic Islamic education at AMAU Academy today.
