The Twelve Qualities of the True Ulama – Second Quality – Fazaail Sadaqaat – Taleem Series – Part Seven

2. Practising on One’s Knowledge

The second distinguishing characteristic of a true Alim is that there should be no contradiction between his knowledge and his actions. (Rather, he should practise what he preaches to others.) It should not be that he commands others with righteousness, but does not practice on it himself. Allah Ta‘ala says:

اَتَاۡمُرُوۡنَ النَّاسَ بِالۡبِرِّ وَ تَنۡسَوۡنَ اَنۡفُسَکُمۡ وَ اَنۡتُمۡ تَتۡلُوۡنَ الۡکِتٰبَ ؕ

Do you command people with good deeds while you forget yourselves (i.e. you do not practise upon what you command), while you continue to recite the kitaab? (Surah Baqarah v. 44)

In another verse, Allah Ta‘ala says:

کَبُرَ  مَقۡتًا عِنۡدَ  اللّٰہِ  اَنۡ  تَقُوۡلُوۡا مَا  لَا تَفۡعَلُوۡنَ ﴿۳﴾

It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that you preach that which you do not practice. (Surah Saff v. 3)

Hazrat Haatim Asamm (rahimahullah) says, “On the Day of Qiyaamah, no person will have more regret than the Aalim who was the means of others acquiring the knowledge of deen, which they practised upon, thereby earning eternal success, while he himself did not practise upon his knowledge and therefore failed miserably.”

Hazrat Ibnu Simaak (rahimahullah) says, “There are many people who remind others about Allah Ta‘ala, but they do not remember Him themselves; they warn others to fear Allah Ta‘ala, but they themselves boldly disobey Him; they assist others to acquire the special proximity of Allah Ta‘ala, but they themselves are far and distant from Him; they invite others to Allah, but they themselves flee from Him.”

Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Ghanam (rahimahullah) says that ten Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) related to him the following Hadith, “We were once sitting in the Musjid of Quba and learning deeni knowledge when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to us and said, ‘Acquire as much knowledge as you wish, but Allah Ta‘ala will not reward you unless you practise upon your knowledge.’”

(Fazaa’il-e-Sadaqaat [English] pg. 433, [Urdu] pg. 478-479)