Is it easy to become a scholar (Aalim)???

One of the signs of the Last Day is the decline in the number of Islamic scholars. You may have noticed a phenomenal increase in the number of experts in all the fields of science and knowledge, but a marked reduction in the number of people attaining the stature of Islamic scholars. You hardly find a worthy contender replacing a Scholar after his death. 

I have experienced many a time in my life that many parents are not successful in turning their children into Islamic scholars despite their tireless efforts. A lot of people cannot become scholars despite their sincere efforts, even the children of many scholars are not scholars. What could be the reason?

Firstly, the knowledge of Shari'ah is a part of Prophethood. Just as Prophethood is a special blessing of Allah, so is the knowledge of Shari'ah bestowed on the special servants of Allah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Whomsoever Allaah intends to do good to, He gives him the understanding of the religion. 

[Sahih al Bukhari: 71] 

Another important reason is that in other sciences, a person does not have to fight his desires and even if he has to, it is insignificant. But a scholar has to sacrifice all his childhood, all his youth and all his desires. 

When all the young men allow their hair to grow and style it, his head is shaved in the Madarsa. 

When people are happily flaunting their hair, he wears cap or turbans. 

During the teens, when the youth joke and laugh with the girls, the poor Scholar is left with a wretched heart. 

When all the members of the family enjoy the lawful and unlawful gatherings in the weddings, he is left alone, with nothing but his boredom to trouble him. 

Shaytan seizes this very opportunity to point out to him the many sacrifices required, and the worldly disadvantages of becoming a scholar. Inspite of these hurdles, even if he does manage to become a Scholar, the devil successfully incites him to bid farewell to the scholarly life.

That is why many Maulvi become *Mr*. They stop donning the humble attire of the Ulema. They are even relieved and reassured by this transition to 'modernity'. How to convey to them the extent of piety, asceticism and religiosity that was represented in the humble garb which they cast aside? 

Anyway, to become a Scholar, and then to maintain the glory of the knowledge by adopting the strict discipline and austerity of a scholarly life is very difficult. Who would want to be a scholar when, in spite of so many sacrifices, it is difficult to get enough bread to satisfy their hunger?

It is for this reason that the Scholars despite adopting a prophetic lifestyle, end up listening to the collective taunts of the people as well as their own wives and children. Taunts about unmet needs, unfulfilled worldly goals and dissatisfactory social ascent.

I have seen many a Maulvi distressed by the circumstances of their life, where they are trying to balance the demands of their families with the requirements of a frugal scholarly existence. Unfortunately, in many cases this continues into old-age, with the family of the Scholar feeling disappointed and let down due to the ceaseless sacrifices and continued poverty. 

Therefore, the status of religious knowledge and the status of those who gain religious knowledge in Islam can be gauged from the following verse of the Holy Qur'an:

یُوٴْتِی الْحِکْمَةَ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ وَمَنْ یُّوٴْتَ الْحِکْمَةَ فَقَدْ اُوْتِیَ خَیْرًا کَثِیْرًا.

Which means Allah bestows religious knowledge upon whom He wills and bestows great blessings upon whom He bestows this knowledge.

It is only after these and many other sacrifices that a scholar becomes a scholar. Therefore respecting the scholars and cooperation with them is compulsory for the Ummah. Without scholars, our generations will not remain Muslims, and Islam shall not prevail.

Sheikh Abdus Salam al-Madani

President, 

Jamiat Ahle Hadees Chennai