Respecting Scholarship in the Post-Prophet (pbuh) Era: A Lesson in Humility and Grace (22nd January, 2017)

Epigraph:

"If you find a Hadith attributed to me that contradicts the Qur'an and the Sunnah, then throw it against the wall."
— Imam al-Shafi'i

(Reading Time: 4.5 to 5 minutes)

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Post-Prophet Era: A Human Endeavor in Understanding Faith

After the passing of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), all scholars, no matter how revered, remain human beings engaged in the noble yet fallible endeavor of understanding and explaining the faith. Their research and opinions, however learned and pious, are fundamentally human efforts — deserving of respect but never beyond question.

In matters of religion, the ultimate authority rests solely with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is he alone whose teachings command unconditional acceptance. Everyone after him, no matter how learned or saintly, remains susceptible to human error. Therefore, while we value and benefit from scholarly efforts, we must remember that their insights can never equate to revelation.

The Prophet’s Responsibility: Conveying the Qur'an and the Sunnah

The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) divinely entrusted responsibility was twofold:

1. To convey God's message in the form of the Qur'an,
2. And to establish the religion through his practice, known as the Sunnah.

Before his passing, the Prophet meticulously ensured that both these pristine sources — the Qur'an and the Sunnah — were fully conveyed, established, and adopted by his companions. The companions received them with complete agreement (ijma') — meaning there was a unanimous consensus about their authenticity and practice.

Furthermore, these two fundamental sources have reached us through the process of tawatur — uninterrupted, continuous transmission by large groups across generations, leaving no room for doubt or fabrication.

This uninterrupted chain of living practice explains a remarkable reality: even our grandmothers and great-grandmothers in rural areas — often illiterate and unfamiliar with scholarly texts — knew how to read the Qur'an in Arabic and performed fundamental religious practices like prayer (namaz), fasting (sawm), pilgrimage (hajj and 'umrah).

How did they learn these sacred acts? Through the living tradition passed from their parents and grandparents, without formal education, without scholarly books — simply through unbroken, communal practice. Religion, therefore, has been preserved and remains with us in full vigor and clarity, like the shining sun.

A Lesson from Imam Bukhari’s Humility

Even in the most respected compilations of Hadith, such as Sahih al-Bukhari, this principle of humility and human limitation is acknowledged. Imam Bukhari himself, in his introduction, emphasized that his compilation was a historical account of the Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and practices, not a divine revelation.

Thus, out of profound respect and scholarly caution, it became the tradition for scholars, when quoting a Hadith, to add: "أو كما قال" — meaning "or as he said."

This humble phrase signals that, while the core message is faithfully preserved, the exact words of the Prophet may not always be captured perfectly in every narration. Therefore, the status accorded to any reported Hadith carries an element of careful assumption, unlike the Qur'an and Sunnah, which were transmitted with full certainty.

Such carefulness reminds us that while Hadith literature is immensely valuable, it must be engaged with responsibly and respectfully, with an understanding of human fallibility in narration.

The Art of Agreeing and Disagreeing

Muslims today must master the art of agreeing and disagreeing with scholars, and with each other, politely and constructively. Engaging with religious thought is not about blind acceptance or wholesale rejection; it is about critical engagement, carried out with dignity, compassion, and understanding.

Sincere differences in interpretation are natural and have historically enriched Islamic scholarship. What matters is the spirit with which we engage: with hearts seeking truth, minds open to discussion, and tongues restrained by respect.

Differences of opinion are not a flaw in human society — they are by divine design. God, in His infinite wisdom, created diversity of thought as a test for humanity:

"Had God pleased, He could have made you one community, but he did not do this because He wanted to try you by whatever He has blessed you with. So, try to outdo one another in good deeds. To God shall you all [one day] return. Then He will disclose upon you all the things in which you have been differing –."
(Qur'an 5:48)

This diversity invites patience, reflection, and humility. It is a reminder that in matters of faith and understanding, sincere dialogue must replace harsh judgment.

And so, when engaging with others, especially in religious matters, the Qur'an teaches us the art of beautiful dialogue:

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction and argue with them in a way that is best. Truly, your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way, and He knows best who is rightly guided."
(Qur'an 16:125)

Thus, respectful disagreement is not a sign of weakness — it is a mark of true wisdom and faith.

Conclusion: Upholding the Ethic of Mercy

In our pursuit of religious knowledge, let us remember that scholarship is a human endeavor, and humility is its crown. By listening attentively, questioning respectfully, and debating graciously, we not only honor the scholars before us but also embody the noble mercy and wisdom taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Through love for the truth and courtesy toward others, may we grow into a community that seeks knowledge with courage and practices respect with even greater strength.

— Aamir Yazdani