The Responsibility of the Ulama – to Pass on Deen to the Ummah

Hazrat Moulana Inaamul Hasan Kaandhelwi (rahimahullah) once mentioned the following:

The knowledge of deen can be compared to a lantern, and the a’maal (righteous actions and ibaadaat of deen) are like the oil that is used to light the lantern, and ikhlaas (sincerity) and the love of Allah Ta‘ala is like the flame of the lantern which burns.

Only when all these things come together (i.e. the knowledge of deen, righteous deeds, and sincerity coupled with the love of Allah Ta‘ala), will light be found.

Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had once mentioned, “The Ulama are like lanterns of guidance (for the ummah).” A lantern is only considered to be a lantern when it contains oil and it continues burning.

The Ulama are regarded as the heirs of the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam). Therefore, just as they have been blessed with this special title and virtue of being the heirs of the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam), they are also entrusted with the responsibility of the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) (i.e. to pass on deen to the ummah).

The Ulama who are the students of deen are one rank lower than the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam).

Therefore, patiently bearing hardships and difficulties in the path of da’wat and tableegh is a duty placed upon the Ulama (as it was a duty of the Ambiyaa).

In the path of da’wat and tableegh, there are different stations that one will have to pass through.

The first station is that one should remain obedient to Allah Ta‘ala at all times. The second station is that of istiqbaal (one should meet and interact with people in a good manner when inviting them towards Allah Ta‘ala). The third station is that one should spend his wealth for the cause of deen.

If one passes through all these stations fulfilling the responsibilities of deen correctly, then he will receive every type of goodness in the Hereafter.

At present, our condition is such that we have not yet started treading this path of deen.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was the most beloved of the entire creation to Allah Ta‘ala, yet he also had to undergo difficulties and challenges in the path of deen.

From this, we understand that without undergoing difficulties for deen, one cannot traverse the path (and reach his destination).

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “I remain hungry for one day, and eat another day.” Thus, this is what is beloved to Allah Ta‘ala (to patiently persevere through hardship for the sake of deen).

The first step in this path is to tolerate difficulties and hardships, whether it is from your own people or from others. In order to do this, one will need to suppress his nafs. Therefore, continue to suppress your nafs, because the more you obey your nafs, the more it will command you to obey it further.

(Sawaanih Moulana Muhammed Inaamul Hasan [rahimahullah] 3/259)