Here is an informative article concerning the respect of ulema that is so very much needed nowadays in this environment of mutual hate and distrust that has divided this ummah.
"Respect for Learning and the Learned in Islam
In this chapter, I would make a few submissions to the Muslims in general that they may know how to respect the scholars and the preachers of Islam. Today it is a usual practice to have unfounded doubts
and objections against the preachers and the learned men of the nation. This is very harmful from the religious points of view.
In every circle and every institution of the world, there are good as well as bad people, and if there are a few bad persons among the scholars also, it is no wonder. Two important points are here noteworthy.
Firstly, you should not form any definitive opinion about the character of anyone, unless you have a solid proof about it. Says Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) in the Quran:
And do not take practical steps regarding anything about which you have no knowledge; for everyone will be questioned as to how he used his ears and eyes and the heart. (al-israa’36) And certainly it is unjust to reject the (good) advice of a preacher, simply because you have some unconfirmed doubts about him. The Jews translated their Scriptures into Arabic, and used to read them out to the Muslims, but the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi wasallam) was so careful about giving his decision on this subject that he said O Muslims! you should neither confirm what they say, nor reject them;
rather you should say; ‘Whatever Allah Taala has revealed, we believe in all that’.
In other words, he forbids denial of even an unbeliever’s narration without proper investigation. But contrary to this rule, we reject those instructions of preachers that are against our wishes, without any
arguments on our part, and attack their reputation even when we know them to be righteous.
Another thing that you must keep in mind is that even the righteous scholars and preachers of your nation are also human beings, and as such they too can have some weaknesses. The responsibility of
their good or bad deeds really rest on them and final judgement belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala); but I hope that by His mercy and great kindness He will forgive them, for, after all, they have been
serving His religion and Faith at great personal sacrifice throughout their lives.
In short, either to have doubts and objections against the religious preachers themselves, or spread them amongst others, will take people away from religion and be the cause of great anxiety for those
who participate in such activities. The Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) said:
Whoever respects the following three, he really pays respect to Allah 1. An Aged Muslim 2. One who teaches and preaches the Quran without any excesses 3. The ruler who is just to the people. Also the following sayings of the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) tell us: He is not among my followers, who does not respect our elders, is not merciful to our youngsters, and does not pay due reverence to our scholars. (Al-Targheeb)
Whoever belittles the following three persons is not a Muslim but a hypocrite: first, an aged Muslim, second, a scholar (of religion), and third, a just ruler. (Al-Targheeb) The Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) has also said I fear particularly for three shortcomings in my followers. First, due to increasing worldly benefits and achievements, they will envy one
another. Second, discussion of the Quran will become so common that even the ignorant will claim that they know the meanings of the Quran, although many meanings are such as cannot be understood by any one except the well-versed scholars of that Book. Even they say “We have a firm faith in it, and that it is from Allah,” so how much more careful should be the common people.
Third, the religious scholars will be neglected and will not be patronized
properly. (Al-Targheeb).
Many similar sayings are found in the books of Hadith. It has been pointed out in Al-fatwa al-Alamgiriyah that the sort of dishonoring words that are generally used today by the illiterate people about the scholars of Islam may seriously damage their faith. Therefore, people must be careful to avoid such words. Suppose for a moment there are no true and sincere scholars of Islam in the world (and the majority consists of corrupt people), even then nothing is gained by exposing them as evil scholars. Rather, it is the religious and moral duty of every Muslim to form such an Islamic society that would give birth to sincere servants of Islam. Only when such a body of persons is in existence should we rest satisfied. Ofcourse, there have always been some differences of opinion among Muslim scholars, mostly about minor problems, for which they cannot be defamed. There is a Hadith that says that the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) gave his shoes to Aboo Hurairah (Radhiallaho Anho) and said Take my shoes as a sign, and proclaim among the Muslims that whoever will say Laa Ilaha illaa Allah Muhammadur-Rasulullah from the bottom of his heart, he will certainly enter Jannah. Umar (Radhiallaho Anho) met Aboo Hurairah (Radhiallaho Anho) on the way and asked him Where he was going. He told him the message of the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam), yet Umar (Radhiallaho Anho)was disturbed, for he did not agree with such a suggestion. Therefore, he hit the messenger in the chest, who fell back. Yet no one raised objections against Umar (Radhiallaho Anho), nor was any demonstration arranged against him because of this difference of opinion.
Many differences of opinion existed among the Sahabah (Radhiallaho Anhum) and later the founders of the four well known
schools of Islamic law differed among themselves in numerous details. There have been many minor differences of opinion
about Salaah among scholars of the four schools of law. I myself know of about two hundred, but this does not mean that their
followers should doubt the faith of one another, and call each other nonbelievers.
The fact is that the common people are mostly unaware of the fine points on which various scholars differ in their views, these differences are a blessing in fact. As a matter of fact, good preachers and sincere servants of Islam do not attach any importance to such small things, but continue their attempt to bring people to the right path. We know that doctors differ among themselves and lawyers differ in their advice, nevertheless people continue to make use of their services. But those who are illiterate, selfish and lazy, simply use their differences of view to raise objections against religious scholars.
Any how, it has been urged on every Muslim to listen to those scholars of the Quran, whom he respects and knows to be the
followers of Sunnah, and avoid abusing those whom he does not like. Any one who has no proper knowledge of Islam and the
Quran, has no right to raise objections against the scholars.
The scholars of Islam should always keep this saying of the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi wasallam) in mind and act accordingly It is
to waste knowledge to address those who are not fit for it. In this evil age, when even the commandments of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) and sayings of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) are being criticized, I have no reason to wonder if the speeches of Muslim scholars are not heard and the Quran is not followed. Says Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) in the Quran And whoever transgresses
the limits of Allah, surely these are the unjust. (Al-Baqarah 229).
[This message has been edited by iqadeer (edited June 30, 1999).]
[This message has been edited by iqadeer (edited June 30, 1999).]