28. ONE WHO REFORMS HIS INTERIOR, ALLAH ELEVATES HIS RANK
When the intent of a scholar is correct, then one who is under legal responsibility finds comfort in this? Many scholars disdain from saying: ‘I do not know’, allowing themselves to protect their position by issuing verdicts (fatawa), so it will not be said that they were ignorant from answering the question, although they may not be certain of their answer. This is the height of betrayal (nahdya al-khudhlari).
It is narrated that a person asked Imam Malik about a matter, and he replied: ‘I do not know”. The man said: “I have travelled the whole land to meet you for this.’ Imam Malik stated, ‘Return to your city and tell the people that I asked Imam Malik and he replied: ‘I do not know.’
Look at this person and his intelligence (‘aql), how comfortably he absolved himself of the responsibility and became safe before Allah, the Almighty. On the other hand, if their (scholars’) goal is attaining position, then their hearts are in other people’s hands.
By Allah, I have seen those who pray (salah), fast (sawm) and remain quiet isaml) abundantly. They show humility in themselves and in their clothing. However, their hearts reveal everything, and their value in the hearts of people is otherwise. I have also seen those who wear expensive clothing, they are not that devoted, nor of those committing voluntary acts (of worship) in abundance, yet the hearts of people fall in love with them.
I pondered over the reason and found none but their interior (i.e. purity of inner self).
One who has reformed his interior, the fragrance of his grace (fadl) emits everywhere, and the hearts spread his sweet smell everywhere.
Fear Allah regarding the inner feelings (sara’ir), because having a good exterior on it’s own, cannot benefit while the interior fakir) is corrupt.
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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