The recent tragedy of Gaza and concurrent events as well as subsequent reactions unveiled the importance of each constituent of the Ummah performing their duties. However, we would like to stress here the importance of the role to be played by scholars being of paramount importance.

Status of scholars

Scholars are as important to the Ummah as a safety valve that can save people from destruction and can breath into them new life, if Allah so wills. Moreover, only scholars can clearly view the truth unmasked and unearth long lost shaggy obscurities.

In fact, Allah held scholars in a high esteem that is vehemently aspired for by all Muslims. Allah said, "Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." [Al-Mujadalah, 11]

To the same effect, the Prophet (peace be upon him) considered scholars and knowledgeable people to be of higher degree than sincere worshippers and stated that everything in this world asks for forgiveness for the true scholar, even the fish in the sea. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The superiority of a scholar over a devoted worshipper is like my superiority over the lowest in rank of you." In the same respect, he also said, "Verily, Allah, His angels, inhabitants of heavens and the earth and even the ant in its hole and fishes in the sea pray for one who teaches people good (beneficial knowledge)."

Because of this high esteem scholars are held in by Allah and His Messenger, Muslims always resort to them in distresses seeking guidance and safety in their advices. Here a question arises: what role should be played by scholars as to Gaza events? Another question is: did they play such a role?

Advising rulers: Historical narratives

The foremost role to be played by scholars in my opinion is advising rulers to behave properly and duly and guiding them to serve the interest of the Ummah. In fact, Allah deters with the Sultan (ruler) that which he does not deter with the Qur'an. Moreover, a ruler is held accountable before Allah on the Day of Judgment for his subordinates. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "All of you are guardians and all of you are responsible for things under your guardianship; the ruler is a guardian (managing his state’s affairs) and he is responsible for things under his care…"

Moreover, a scholar should not fear evil consequences of saying out the truth loudly, for all people have to undergo affliction. I wonder who should say out truth loudly when scholars do no do so!

We need not mention the heavy price paid by Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal in view of saying out the truth loudly regarding the dilemma of the creation of the Qur'an. Although he has born torture for about 17 years, truth has been demonstrated at the end thanks to him.

Feeling grateful to him for his stance, the Ummah gave him the title of the Imam of Ahlul-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim community). No doubt, Allah's reward is more bountiful and ever-remaining. Likewise, the Ummah also so proudly keeps in memory the stances adopted by the Sultan of Scholars Al-'Izz bin Abdul-Salam regarding king As-Salih Ismail in Damascus and later Al-Malik As-Salih Najm Al-Din Ayyub in Egypt.

Guiding Muslims through unearthing truths

An important role to be played by scholars during such distresses is to guide Muslims to their duties toward their Muslim brethren. Undoubtedly, Islamic brotherhood is a religious fundamental in the sense that a Muslim may not forsake his Muslim brother who is in need of help. Thus, scholars have to take part in showing mechanisms required to reactivate brotherhood in such situations.

Moreover, scholars are to unearth truths for the Muslim masses. In fact, internal enemies of the Muslim Ummah, i.e. hypocrites, speak now in a louder tone claiming that it was owing to a great conspiracy that the people of Gaza crossed the Egyptian borders and thus violated Egypt's sovereignty. Reechoing the claims of their allies, i.e. the enemies of the Ummah, such hypocrites, in addition, utter other silly allegations.

Actually, it is inevitable that scholars clarify to Muslim masses how such allegations are false and cunningly purposeful. They also have to call the Muslim Ummah to show practical rather than verbal cooperation. Moreover, they are to explain to people the true dimensions of the issue and the roots of the problem. In this regard, they should narrate the story of the occupation of Palestine, distinguish between friends and enemies in this regard, predict future events and put forth the action required.

Scholars set the example and should avoid disagreement

Scholars are worthier of being pioneers in sacrificing their souls and property to help their brethren and thus set an example to Muslims. Otherwise, people will lack in idealistic symbols and, consequently, human and jinni devils will inspire them not to trust their scholars as the latter do not act in accordance with what they say and thus set them back from helping their brothers and obeying Allah.

If scholars are to be influential, they have to join forces and unite. However, this may not take place unless they set aside their differences and reciprocate mutual love.

Furthermore, they must avoid past disagreements that had a devastating effect during the periods of declination of the Muslim Ummah. History recorded that a disagreement took place among some Hanbali sheikhs regarding the explanation of a certain Qur'anic verse, which lead to partisanship and later to fight and deaths. Meanwhile, Qaramitah, a seceding Islamic sect, broke into the Sacred Mosque, killed hajjis, stole the Black Stone and kept it in their capital Hajar in Bahrain for 20 years.

In fact, Muslims internal disputes, in which scholars of the time took part, led to disuniting the Ummah. Thus, scholars have to be fully aware of the danger of disunity and seek to reunite the Ummah.

On the islamstory.com website, we have run a poll requesting the evaluation of the scholar's role toward Gaza crisis. The choices given were excellent, good or ineffective. Pull results showed that 12.3% voted for excellent, 23.9% voted for good and 63% voted for ineffective. The result clearly revealed dissatisfaction with the efforts exerted by scholars regarding this ordeal and with their performance in general. Accordingly, our scholars have to be more active in playing the roles with which Allah entrusted them and the Ummah expect them to play.

I ask Allah to guide our scholars to do that which is good and to bless their efforts, for indeed only He is capable of doing so.

Dr. Ragheb ElSergany

Related links:

People of Gaza, Remain Patient!

God Help You, Gaza

Al-Aqsa: Wrecking Likely?

Palestine

https://islamstory.com/en/artical/3407516