In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
It is essential that one has respect in one’s heart and exhibits reverence for gatherings of knowledge. This is embodied in some of the following practices.
1) To have ritual purity and cleanliness before leaving to attend gatherings of knowledge. The Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) and their followers used to be very attentive to this matter.
It is reported that Imām Mālik used to be meticulous in his veneration of gatherings of knowledge to the point that before narrating hadiths, he would make wudu', wear his best clothes, sit upon his cushion, comb his beard, put on perfume, and sit in the most dignified and respectful posture. When asked about this he replied, “I love to exalt the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam)”
Another form of purification before attending gatherings of learning is that of the purification of the heart from traits such as backbiting, envy, grudges, and other spiritual diseases through various forms of worship and acts of obedience. This is done to exert an effort to expand one’s heart and state of mind in a way that will make the student more susceptible to absorbing knowledge and implementing it.
It is commonly said, “In the presence of scholars guard your tongue. And in the presence of the knowers of Allah, guard your heart.”
2) A student should come in a state of stillness of the heart, mind, and body (sakīna) along with a demeanor of a dignified seriousness (waqār) that is derived from an understanding of the gravity and significance of being in a circle of learning.
Ḥasan al-Baṣrī used to say,
Seek knowledge and seek in order to [attain] knowledge stillness and seriousness (sakīna wa al-waqār) as well as humility towards whom you are learning from and towards those you are teaching.
Due to the intense reverence that Imām Mālik had for the hadiths of the Prophet, it is reported that he once remained seated in the same position while teaching for four hours, eventhough he had been stung by a scorpion and his color had changed. Upon being asked about this he replied, “I did not want to interrupt the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam).”
In this is revealed the depth of Imām Mālik’s understanding of the Majesty of Allah and the rank of His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassallam). Indeed, Allah says in the Qur'an,
ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَـٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى ٱلْقُلُوبِ ﴿٣٢[Qur'an, Al-Hajj 22:32]
That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts. (32)
May Allah grant us piety of the hearts. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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