Fourth Chapter: Scholars and Manners

 In the previous chapters we examined three issues which are, among others, a prerequisite for nurturing scholars, mainly observing the high status which scholars have held either in the sight of religion or in the eyes of people, sacrifice and sufferings while seeking knowledge, and thirdly observing the value of time and exploiting every minute in life for the cause of knowledge.

We have also stressed that this is not exclusively to Muslims but knowledge is available for all, regardless of their religions or manners. It is taken for granted that knowledge can be attained by either the pious scholar or the notorious one. When it comes to seeking knowledge, all humans are equal.

But, looking into the Noble Mission of Islam and its great role in reforming all humans all over the globe, the Muslim Aalem should be different from others, furnished with specific qualifications that others would not know about, let alone, act upon.

It means that the area which we are tackling now is not that commonly known and attained by all scholars worldwide, as we said of late, but the area of discussion now is related to the manners and values.

The scholars are the successors of prophets when, as far as knowledge and faith are concerned. They are also supposed to set an example to the society since they are the beacon of change and reform. Therefore, they should be distinguished with specific manners and qualities which dominate their lives at the very beginning when they are still nurtured to be scholars.

 Since the topic of manners needs ages to tackle and examine, we will content ourselves with the basics through which the Aalem becomes fit to represent manners enshrined in Islam.

 Therefore the most important qualities which the would be Aalem should observe are as follows;