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

In an explanation of the Hadeeth “The heaviest on the scale (i.e. the scale of good deeds on yawmul qiyaamah) is good manners”, Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also mentioned good manners between seekers of knowledge, saying, “Good manner between fellow students, whether they are together in the schools, specific gatherings, a specific lesson in the Masjid or a specific place designated for that purpose. A person should be well-mannered, and this should be manifested in good speech, good deeds, good dealings and being truthful in one’s promises, loving one another based on that love legislated in the Sharee’ah and loving one another for the sake of Allaah. This is why the virtue of this lofty deed (i.e. good manners) has been mentioned, just as it has been stated in the hadeeth, ‘The heaviest thing on the scales is good manners’ – meaning the heaviest deed on the scale of good deeds is good manners, because it leads to every virtuous deed and opposes all different types of evil”. (1)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee [may Allaah preserve him] said: 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. 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)

The Shaikh also said: 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)

The Shaikh also said: Knowledge is not merely about studying and obtaining certificates, rather the goal is to acquire sound and precise understanding – sound understanding in affairs of Aqeedah, worship, good manners, good etiquettes and everything related to the life of a believer. It is obligated on the believers to carry out everything related to their lives based on the Book of Allaah and the (authentic) sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. The believer performs acts of worship sincerely for the Sake of Allaah because Allaah commanded him to be sincere. [وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ حُنَفَآءَ وَيُقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤۡتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ‌ۚ وَذَٲلِكَ دِينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمَةِ – And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat: and that is the right religion. [Surah Al-Bayyinah’ Aayah 5] (4)

Ibraaheem Ibn Bash’shaar [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Ibraaheem Ibn Ad’ham [may Allaah have mercy upon him] watched a man who was speaking to another man; so he [i.e. the man] got very angry that he uttered an ugly statement. Ibraaheem said to him: O such and such! Fear Allaah and it is obligatory that you keep quiet, exercise forbearance and restraint; so the man kept quiet. Then Ibraaheem said to him: It has reached me that Ahnaf Ibn Qais [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: We frequently went to Qais Ibn Aasim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] to learn forbearance from him, just as we frequently went to the scholars to seek knowledge. So he [i.e. the man] said: You don’t have to repeat it [i.e. what you have said is enough as an admonition etc]. (5)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from (At-ta’leeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah). Vol 1. Pages 38-39]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm. page 86]
[Ref 3: An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ page 123]
[Ref 4: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 72 – 73]
[Ref 5: Taareekh Dimashq 26/219]