THE DISTINCTION OF GOOD SCHOLARS (ULAMA-UL KHAIR) -- By: Shabrun Jamil (An Ordinary Man Working as PAIF of Religious Affair Ministry of Tangerang District)

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

Al-Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil ‘Aalamiin
Wa Bihii Nasta’iin Wa ‘Alaa Umuuriddunyaa Waddiin
Wasshalaatu Wassalaamu ‘Alaa Asyrafil Anbiyaa-I Wal Mursaliin
Sayyidinaa Wa Nabiyyinaa Muhammadin
Wa ‘Alaa Aalihii Wa Shahbihii Ajma’iin.

Ammaa Ba’du.


Athii’ullaaha warrasuula la’allakum turhamuun. (Qur’an Surah Ali ‘Imron verse 132).
“And obey Allah and the Messenger so that you may be blessed.”

“The scholars (ulama) are the heirs of the Prophets,” Muhammad shallallahu ‘alahi wa sallam said in his hadits. The scholars (ulama) inherit the knowle3dge that the Prophets taught. In their communities, they succeed the Prophets in the sense of calling people to Allah and His obedience, prohibiting rebellion against Allah and defending His religion.

The Prophet Muhammad shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “May the mery of Allah be on my successor.” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who are your successors?” He said, “Those who revive and teach my Sunnah after my passing.”

From this hadits, we may jump into conclusion that Ulama occupy the position of the Prophets in a noble sation between Allah Ta’ala and humanity. Ibn Al-Munkadir has said, “Indeed Ulama are between Allah Ta’ala and humanity, therefore, be careful how you approach them.”

Concerning this hadits, Imam Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullah said, “This is from the greatest of the virtues of the scholars (ulama), since the Prophets ‘alaihimusshalaatu wassalaam are the best of Allah’s creation. So this means that their inheritors are the best of creation after them. Every one that leaves behind inheritance has his property transfer over to his heirs, since they are the ones who will take his place after him. They are the onew who have the most right to receive that inheritance. Allah Ta’ala specifies the granting of His Mercy to whom He will.”

The Ummah are guided by this hadits to obey the Good Scholars (Ulama-ul khair), respect them, have esteem for them, and honour them, since they are the inheritors and successors of those who possess these rights over the Ummah. Likewise, holding enmity for them and waging war against them is the same as holding enmity and waging war with Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger (Muhammad shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).

The Good Scholars (Ulama-ul khair) are also reminded by this hadits to raise the Ummah just as a father brings up his child. So they should raise them step by step, starting with the small forms of knowledge an then progressing onto the bigger forms of knowledge, imposing as much knowledge into them as they can, just as a father does with his infant child when he brings his meal to him. Any soul that is not cultivated by the Messengers ‘alaihihusshalaatu wassalaam wil not be made upright.

SUBHAANAKALLAAHUMMA WA BI HAMDIKA ASYHADU ALLAA ILAAHA ILLAA ANTA ASTAGFIRUKA WA ATUUBU ILAIKA.