Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim
1. Introduction
Friends whom Allah has blessed, in this digital age, information is so easy to get. Just type one keyword, and millions of articles appear. But why does it feel like inner peace and blessing in life are harder to attain? The answer lies in one word that is becoming rare: _adab_—good manners and respect—toward the teacher and the source of knowledge.Knowledge is not merely a pile of data in the head; it is nūr, a light that guides the soul. And that light only flows through the pleasure of a teacher.Psychologically and spiritually, blessed knowledge is gained through listening with deep respect. When we humble ourselves before a teacher, our ego shrinks, and only then is the vessel of our soul ready to receive the pearls of wisdom.
Allah SWT says in the Qur’an about the importance of listening attentively when knowledge—the Qur’an or sincere advice—is conveyed:
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
“And when the Qur’an is recited, listen to it and be silent, that you may receive mercy.” (QS. Al-A‘rāf: 204)
If listening to the words of Allah alone brings mercy, then listening to the explanations of the heirs of the Prophets—our teachers—with the same adab will also bring extraordinary blessing.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also reminded us in a hadith :
تَعَلَّمُوا الْعِلْمَ وَتَعَلَّمُوا لِلْعِلْمِ السَّكِينَةَ وَالْوَقَارَ وَتَوَاضَعُوا لِمَنْ تَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُ
“Learn knowledge, and learn for that knowledge tranquility and dignity, and be humble toward the one from whom you seek knowledge.”
2. Lessons and Message
Imagine a waterfall. Water will never flow up to a high, arrogant mountain peak. Water always flows to the low-lying valley. So it is with knowledge. Knowledge will not enter a heart that is arrogant and thinks it already knows everything. Knowledge only flows and settles in a humble heart—one willing to sit and listen with reverence.Look at the story of Imām ash-Shāfi‘ī, one of the greatest scholars in history. He was extremely intelligent, yet his manners toward his teacher were extraordinarily beautiful. Imām ash-Shāfi‘ī once said: “I would turn the pages of a book before my teacher, Imām Mālik, very slowly and gently, because I feared he would hear the rustling of the paper and be disturbed.” Māshā’Allāh. Even the movement of turning a page was guarded for the sake of his teacher’s peace. Compare that to us today, often busy playing with our gadgets while the teacher or lecturer is teaching in front of the class.Nowadays, many people feel like they’ve become “scholars” just because they have an internet subscription and often read quotes on social media. After reading one article, they dare to argue and even criticize scholars who have studied for decades. This is the “Google-Shaykh” phenomenon—learning from a search engine without sanad, without a chain of transmission. Remember, friends, Google can give you information, but Google cannot give you blessing, sincere supplication, or approval. If you argue with Google, your laptop won’t pray for you; it’ll just run out of battery! So always go to the teacher, listen to their voice, and honor their presence.
3. Conclusion and Closing
Brothers and sisters, intelligence without adab only produces arrogance. On the other hand, blessed knowledge—gained by honoring the teacher and listening well—produces wisdom and tranquility of the soul.Let us improve our manners. When the teacher speaks, put your phone down, look at their face, listen to their explanation, and reflect on its meaning. For it may be that one sincere supplication from the tongue of a teacher who is pleased with you is what will open the doors of your success in the future.Honor the one who gives you knowledge, and Allah will raise your rank in this world and the Hereafter
والله أعلم بالصواب
الحمد لله رب العالمين
Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmaullahi Wabarakatuh.
ِAbu Sultan Al-Qadrie
