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

One of the obstacles that prevents people from [acquiring] knowledge is [when they] turn to the knowledge of the Asaaghir [the small ones] – and Allaah’s refuge is sought. And from the [minor] signs of the hour [i.e. the day of judgement] is that knowledge will be acquired from the young in age, who learn very little and thus considers himself an Aalim!

This person is young and a Miskeen [i.e. one lacking strength in the field of knowledge], but considers himself as one who has reached the highest level; so the ignoramuses come to him, gather around him and cut off from the scholars – and Allaah’s refuge is sought. This is one of the [minor] signs and portents of the hour, when the people abandon the senior scholars and embark upon acquiring knowledge from the ignorant young ones – those who pretend to be scholars. This is a calamity. Ibn Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they acquire knowledge from their elder, trustworthy ones and scholars.”

Contemplate on this statement, “And if they acquire knowledge from their young ones, they will be destroyed.”

This is one of the obstacles and barriers to acquiring knowledge. It may be that some people desire knowledge, but he [i.e. an individual] becomes deceived by that young person and considers him to be the most knowledgeable of people. And had he gone to other than that young person, he would find that it is obligated on that young person to seek knowledge together with him, and sit down in the presence of the scholars.

Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ – pages 227 – 228. slightly paraphrased.

Who Are The Asaaghir?

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Obstacles In The Path of Knowledge

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