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And they [the scholars] said: “The Jaahil is Sagheer even if he is old in age, and the scholar is Kabeer even if he is young.” And they used as proofs to this [opinion] that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas used to be asked questions in regards to the religion while he was young in age, and Mu’aadh ibn Jabal and ‘Ataa ibn Aseed also used to give fatwa while they were young in age, and the messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم made them rulers while they were young, and the likes of this in the ‘ulamaah are plenty. And it may be that the meaning of this Hadeeth based upon what Ibn AlMu’taz said is: “The scholar of the shabaab (youth) is insulted [or belittled], and the ignorant amongst them is excused.” And Allaah knows best what he meant. And others said: “The meaning of this in the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar and Ibnu Mas’ood is that if knowledge does not come by way of the Sahaabah, as in the Hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood, and it doesn’t have an origin in the Quraan or the Sunnah or consensus of the umah, then this is knowledge that will destroy those who carry it, and the one who carries it cannot be an Imaam, nor be trustworthy, or approved of as Ibn Mas’ood said. And this is the opinion that Abu ‘Ubaid, may Allaah have mercy upon him, held.” And similar to this is what was narrated by As Sha’bee: “What they narrate to you by way of the companions of the messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم, grasp onto it tightly with your hands, and what they narrate to you from their opinions then urinate on it.” And like this is the saying of Al Awzaa’ee: “Knowlegde is what comes by way of the companions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم, and what doesn’t come by way of one of them, then this is not knowledge.” And it may be that what is meant by these Ahaadeeth, is that the people with the most right to knowledge and understanding, are the people of honor, Deen (adherence to the religion/piousness) and esteem/respect. Indeed if knowledge is with them, people will not dislike sitting with them, but if knowledge is with other than them, Shaytaan will find a way for them to be ridiculed, and will plant in the souls [of people] the acceptance of their state of ignorance, just because they want to be different from one who has no [adherence to the] religion, and he made that from the signs of the hour, and from the reasons that knowledge is raised, and Allaah knows best which of the reasons ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, meant. For in the past the Sagheer and the Kabeer have lead the people with knowledge, and Allaah has raised with it whom He wished.” And from what proves that what is meant by the Sagheer is the one who has no knowledge is what ‘Abdur Razaaq and others narrated on the authority of Ma’mar that Az Zuhree said: “The circles of knowledge around ‘Umar were filled with the memorizer’s of the Quraan, young and elderly, and sometimes he would consult them and say: ‘Do not let the young age of any of you stop you from mentioning his opinion, for indeed knowledge is not dependant upon how old or young one is, but Allaah places it where he wills.”
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