In The Name of Allaah, The Mist Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

In which era do we find the scholars hastening to the houses of the people? Rather, the students of knowledge travel to the scholars and the sahaabah [May Allaah be pleased with them] were the first [to do so]. Jaabir Bin Abdillaah [radiyallaahu anhu] heard that a man amongst the companions of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] in Shaam had a Hadeeth, so he bought a camel and rode on it to shaam. It took him a month to get there and a month to return, for the sake of one hadeeth.

[However] a man [i.e. a scholar or one who has been given recommendation by the scholars to teach] explains Saheeh Al-Bukhaari, Saheeh Muslim, Sunan Abu Daawud, Sunan At-Tirmidhee, Sunan An-Nasaa’ee or a book of Fiqh or something from it [i.e. very near to you either in your city or a masjid close by], but you say, “No, he must accompany me and he must come with me!” Who gave you this authority in the Sight of Allaah [i.e. that you make such a demand]? O My brothers! It is obligated on us to recognise the status of knowledge.

Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ 126-127. abridged & slightly paraphrased