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

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee [may Allaah preserve him] said: “Abdullaah Ibn Al-Mubaarak [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, ‘ Whoever belittles the scholars will ruin his religion; whoever belittles the rulers will ruin his worldly affairs and whoever belittles his brothers will ruin his sense of honour’. O my brothers! Therefore, let us behave in a good manner, especially the students of knowledge. O my brothers! At present the connection between a student and his teacher is limited to the classroom. He listens to the lesson and after it finishes, he leaves in a hurry. It is as if he does not know anything about the teacher- neither in a house nor in any other place. And they say, ‘The scholars run away from the students!’ It is obligated on the students to behave well towards the scholars and to come to their houses. Do they want the scholars to run behind the students?! The Salaf did not know this behaviour. When we became deprived of good manners, we expect the scholars to be our followers. Many people want the scholars to be their followers – giving directions to the scholars like they would give directions to a senile old person. A particular scholar can meet thousands of people and benefit them, but as for going to the house of every person and knocking at his door, this is neither legislated by Allaah nor is it obligated on the scholars. (1)

We have been commanded to learn; therefore, it is obligated on us to learn, act and call to the religion based upon the path which Allaah has ordained and clarified for us- the path which the Messenger clarified for us and applied, and which was applied by his companions after him. They spread Islam in the entire world – in different nations. And this knowledge goodness was spread mostly through (praiseworthy) manners – through patience, forbearance, firm fulfilment of obligations and responsibilities, truthfulness, honourable behaviour, nobility, noble mindedness, fulfilling promises and what is similar to that. These manners became manifest to the people, so the hearts, ears and eyes of the nations accepted this guidance, which the companions of Muhammad carried”. (2)

Good manners is a necessity in the path of seeking knowledge, and (when dealing with) scholars and elders. It was said to king Abdul Azeez [may have mercy upon him], “How do you view the people?” He said, “The people in my view are three types: a man who is older than me, so he is placed in my father’s position; a man who is in my age group, so he is placed in my brother’s position, and a man who is younger than me, so he is like my son”.’ Therefore, a Muslim behaves towards his brothers in this manner- he places the people in these different categories. The student of knowledge should respect the elders, honour his contemporaries and show mercy to those below his age. The one who is old in age is like his father, the one in his age group is like his brother and the one below him in age is like his son. (3)

[Ref 1: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 123-124]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm. page 86]
[Ref 3: An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ page 123]