Manners of Seekers of ilm in the gathering of ilm

Eagerness of the Salaf upon the gatherings of knowledge

And it is fitting upon the student who is learning that he should keenly attend the gatherings of knowledge and that he should eat from its gardens, just as was encouraged by the Imaam of the pious ones, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you passes by the gardens of Paradise then take from them” The Companions said, "And what are the gardens of Paradise, O Messenger of Allaah?" So he said, “The circles of Remembrance. Because Allaah, the Most High, has Angels who travel around seeking out the gatherings of Remembrance, so when they come upon them they surround them.” 15 So when the scholar and the teacher have laid down a day for the students, it is not fitting that anyone should keep away from that appointment unless he is prevented from it with something sufficient as an excuse. Whoever knows the excellence of knowledge and its delight will never cease to seek an increase in that, he will always be keen upon that knowledge and he will be insatiable.  15 A hadeeth that is hasan due to its supports, as I have clarified in Saheeh Kitaabil-Adhkaar wa da'eefih, (4/4).

How the Taabi'een gave respect to the Scholars and their Gatherings

The Taabi'een and those after them followed this same way. Mugheerah said, "We used to have awe of Ibraaheem just as the people would have awe of their ruler." 45 Ayyoob said, "A man used to sit with al-Hasan for three years but not ask him anything out of respect and awe of him." 'Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Hurmulah al-Aslamee said, "No person would be bold enough to ask any question of Sa'eed ibn al-Musayyib until he asked permission from him." Ibnul-Khayyaat said in praise of Maalik ibn Anas, "Answers would be left and he would not be asked again out of awe and the people asking questions would lower the heads with their chins hanging down. He manifested the light of nobility and the honour of a king in piety. He was one held in awe even hough he was not a ruler." 45 And Ibraaheem was Ibraaheem ibn Yazeed ibn Qays an-Nakha'ee.

Correct Behavior of the Students

Al-Hasan said, "It used to be the case that a man would seek knowledge and would not remain for long before its effect would be seen in his humility, in his manners, upon his tongue and in his sight and in his hand." 47

It is befitting that the scholars cause their students to honour the gatherings of knowledge and cause them to have respect in the souls of their students. That they direct them and put them right if they make any mistake.

Ahmad ibn Sulaymaan al-Qattaan said, "It used to be the case with 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Mahdee that nobody would speak in his gathering, nor would anyone sharpen a pen, nor would anyone smile. If anyone spoke or sharpened a pen he would shout, put on his shoes and go to his house. Likewise with Ibn Numayr-and he was one of the strictest of the people in this. He would become angry and shout, and if he saw anyone sharpening a pen his face would alter. Also the people in the gathering of Wakee' would sit as if they were in prayer, and if he saw them doing anything he disliked he would put on his shoes and enter his house." 48

Aboo 'Aasim an-Nabeel said, "I witnessed Sufyaan ath-Thawree and a youth from the people of knowledge was present at his gathering, and he was behaving as if he were the head of the gathering, speaking out, showing his importance by the knowledge over those: older than him. So Sufyaan became angry and said, `The Salaf were not like this. One of them had not used to claim leadership, nor would he sit at the head of a gathering until he had sought this knowledge for thirty years. But you give yourself importance over those older than you. Get up and leave me, and I do not want to see you near my gathering." He said, "And I heard Sufyaan ath-Thawree say, `If you see a youth speaking out in the presence of the Shaikhs, even if he has reached a level of knowledge, then despair of his being good, because he has little shame." 49

Or the saying of Sufyaan ibn 'Uyainah, "'Ubaydullaah ibn 'Umar came to us in Koofah a long time ago. When he saw the students of knowledge and how badly the knowledge was being treated he said, `You have disgraced the knowledge and its people. If 'Umar had reached me and you he would have given us a painful beating.'" 53

47 All these reports are from Al-Jaami' li-Akhlaaqir-Raawee wa Aadaabaais Saami', (1/184~185) and Jaami Bayaan al-Ilm, (1/127). 48 Al-Jaami' li-Akhlaaqir-Raawee wa Aadaabaais Saami', (1/193) 49 Reported by al-Bayhaqee in Al-Madkhal ilas-Sunanil-Kubraa', (no. 679). 53 Al-Jaami' li-Akhlaaqir-Raawee wa Aadaabaais-Saami', (1/405).