Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisi rahimahullaah said:
The student, at the beginning of seeking knowledge, should not occupy his mind with the differences of opinions of ulamaa in order not to perturb his mind or cause confusion to himself.
The student of knowledge should occupy his life with the best of knowledge. For verily, the span of life is short while knowledge is complex.
Therefore, the student of knowledge should turn and spend all his efforts on the praiseworthy knowledge.
And the most honourable knowledge is the knowledge that has to do with Hereafter and knowing Allah The-Almighty.
It is with this knowledge that Abubakr radiyallaahu anhu was able to attain the highest status in the side of Allah.
As for the Teacher, he should express kindness, love, patience and forbearance to the students.
He should not seek reward or thanks from the students for what he is teaching them.
Rather, he should dedicate his efforts to teaching the knowledge for the sake of Allah and he should seek rewards from Allah alone. By so doing, he will be rewarded abundantly by Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
In the past generation, the Ulamaa used to refuse gifts from students so that it will not corrupt their actions.
The teacher should hasten to guide his students to what will make them closer to Allah by teaching them the Attributes of Allah, His Signs and Actions.
The teacher should always give advice to the students on how to go about seeking knowledge and on how to direct their life to the best way.
He should warn his students against bad behaviors in the proper way not in a reprehensible manner.
Furthermore, the teacher should teach his student what he can understand and comprehend. He should not hasten to teach him what his brain cannot comprehend. Rather, he should take the student gradually from the lower level to the higher level.
More importantly, the teacher should work with his knowledge so that his deeds would not contradict his statements.
Allah says in Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 44:
“أتأمرورن الناس بالبر وتنسون أنفسكم وأنتم تتلون الكتاب..”َ
Do you enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget To practise it yourselves, and yet you study the Scripture….”
It is reported from Ali radiyallaahu anhu-who said:
” Two set of people have weakened my determination; An A’lim who transgresses the limit of Allah despite his knowledge and an ignorant person who practises religion without knowledge.”
Allaahu A’alam
Baarakallaahu feekum
