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

Al-Allaamah Taqiyuddeen Al-Hilaali [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated about a scholar called Al-Allaamah Ahmad Bin Sulaymaan Ash-Shanqeetee [may Allaah have mercy upon him]:

He is the Allaamah, the Salafi, the Usoolee, the Mufassir, the skillful author, the poet and one proficient in various sciences of the religion. The likes of this man is rare in his era. He is needed by the teachers of Al-Azhar, the Islamic University of Madeenah and every Arab University. I do not say that he is (only) needed by students, but he is needed by the teachers. One of the adversities that has afflicted the Arabs in this era is the sweeping ignorance and (blameworthy) blind following in their midst, and their adherence to a crooked path, because indeed they do not give consideration to knowledge, but rather they give consideration to superficial certificates that are obtained by many people. They attain the highest ranks in universities, whilst being deaf, dumb, and blind [i.e. they don’t listen to truth, speak truth and contemplate (or see) truth]. I swear by Allaah – besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped- that if the university professors in Europe were to gain access to this man, they would have indeed benefitted from his knowledge and make every conceivable sacrifice to be at his service; but as we say one of the misguided traits of the Arabs (at present) is that indeed [يتركون العين ويطلبون الأثر – they abandon something good that is witnessed or seen, then seek for it after its disappearance]. And due to their dependence on certificates, they are as the poet said: [ولو لبس الحمار ثياب خزّ *** لقال الناس يا لك من حمار – If a donkey wore fine clothes, the people will say, “Oh what a donkey (i.e. praising a donkey just because it is wearing fine clothes does not change its reality!)]. Likewise, when an ignoramus obtains a certificate from a university, the people say, “Oh! What a scholar!” And if he does not have a certificate, they say, “Oh! What an ignoramus”. (1)

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It maybe that a person come long (whilst) holding the certification of a doctorate (PhD), and take up the position of teaching in the faculties and universities, yet he is the most ignorant of people. And if a secondary grade student came, he would be better than him (in understanding and knowledge). This is witnessed. At present, there is to be found one who has a doctorate certificate, but he does not know anything of knowledge- either he succeeded by cheating or succeeded by a superficial success that did not establish knowledge in his mind (and heart), but he is employed because he has a doctorate. A person comes along – a good student of knowledge, from the best of people and better than this one with a doctoral degree a thousand times, but he is neither employed nor teaches at a faculty; why? Because he doesn’t have a doctorate”. (2) [End of quote]

Therefore, O seeker of knowledge! Pay close attention to this. Precedence will not be given to you just because you have obtained a certificate, but rather the scholars and those elders – who preceded you in seeking knowledge – and have solid recommendations from the senior scholars will determine your level. (2)

Tazkiyah (or Graduation) Required Before One Teaches & Gives Da’wah?[Brought to Our Attention By One of Our Youth (May Allaah Bless Him). Pleasing to The Heart to Know That Our Youth Are Reading Clarifications of Elder Teachers]: https://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/tags/tazkiyah.cfm

To be continued…InShaaAllaah

[1: An Except from Sabeel Ar-Rashaad Fee Hadyi Khayr Al-I’baad. 3/18-19]
[2: An Excerpt from Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen. Audio number 74a]