What makes a Scholar?

[sabr*]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

To be part of the علماء‎ ʿUlamāʾ (Scholars) or considered a عالِم ʿĀlim (Scholar) are one,
all or a combination of the following disciplines required to be mastered?

• Quran and Sunnah
• Ijtihad (interpretation)
• Ijma (consensus)
• Minhaj (method)
• Qiyas (analogical reasoning)
• Istihlal (legalization)
• Risalah (dissertation)

If you have a view based upon Quran and Sunnah and not opinions it would
be appreciated. This question is requesting views based solely on Islam
and not the I feels or I thinks.

['Abd al-Baari]

Assalaamu 'alaykum,

First and foremost mastery is required in the sciences of the arabic language; Nahw, Sarf, Balaagah, Adab etc. Knowledge of Fiqh, both it's Usool and Furoo', Mustalaah al-Hadeeth, Usool al-Hadeeth, Hadeeth, Tafseer & it's Usools, Aqaa'id etc. To be an 'aalim one needs to give his life to knowledge, only after years and years of studying the above mentioned sciences can one be considered an 'aalim.

[sabr*]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

We are in agreement with your reply.

Having a difficult time digesting many in the Muslim World attributing the title of Shaikh, Scholar, Alim, etc to figures
that the West uses as figure heads. They have not been elected by the Muslims community and don't speak on
their behalf. One decade they are being trained and aided by the West intelligence agencies and the next
decade they are the worst enemies. Moral character is another criteria that is important.

The majority have no formal Islamic education and not qualified to pronounce Fatwa but are followed by
the uneducated. They have been born into Arabic speaking family as the only criteria.

[czgibson]

Greetings,

First and foremost mastery is required in the sciences of the arabic language; Nahw, Sarf, Balaagah, Adab etc. Knowledge of Fiqh, both it's Usool and Furoo', Mustalaah al-Hadeeth, Usool al-Hadeeth, Hadeeth, Tafseer & it's Usools, Aqaa'id etc. To be an 'aalim one needs to give his life to knowledge, only after years and years of studying the above mentioned sciences can one be considered an 'aalim.

Since I first began learning about Islam I have often wondered how scholars come to be.

Is there a formal system for quantifying the "years and years" of study required to become an 'aalim? Is there a specific set of qualifications that a candidate would need?

Peace

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[ardianto]

Is there a formal system for quantifying the "years and years" of study

required to become an 'aalim? Is there a specific set of qualifications that a candidate would

need?

Greeting, czgibson.

Someone who has been graduated from madrasa or Islamic universities is not automatically becomes an "aalim". This is not degree that anyone can get after finishing Islamic study.

"Aalim" is title that given by people, and especially by other ulama, to someone who teaches his Islamic knowledge to the people, formally like teaches in madrasa, or non-formally like give lectures outside madrasa or write books. Of course, not every person who teaches Islamic knowledge is classified as an aalim.

In Indonesia we have two titles for aalim/ulama. "Ustadz" (or "ustadzah" for female) is unofficial title that given by people to 'junior' aalim. Anyone who classified as ustadz by people can use this title in his name. Other title is "Kyai Haji" for 'senior' male aalim. This is official title that given by ulama council to ustadz who has meet certain criterias based on how long he taught, how many students who learn from him, how correct his knowledge, etc. And as official title, only those who have right to use title Kyai Haji allowed to use this title in his name. Bur recently, there is no female aalim who got title Nyai Haji.

[sabr*]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

A problem that is apparent within the Muslim World having Muslims because tribal and cultural affiliations being
considered scholars who are not even qualified or morally currupt. The system is broken or really hasn't been fixed since
the abolishment of the Khalifah. Just reflect upon the so-called respected Sheikh and Scholars in
the Arab Spring countries that have supported and condoned the suppression of the people
for over fifty years. Not speaking out against the Tyrants, Despots, Western Lackeys, etc.

[sabr*]

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Who are the current Scholars you acknowledge and use as references
for religious practice?

[Iconodule]

Social context seems to be important. A professor of mine (an American Muslim) was regarded as a scholar by local Muslims mainly because he was the only one in town who spoke fluent Arabic. He had been studying the various disciplines but not nearly as long as would be expected in areas where Islam is more established.

[sabr*]

Social context seems to be important. A professor of mine (an American Muslim) was regarded as a scholar by local Muslims mainly because he was the only one in town who spoke fluent Arabic. He had been studying the various disciplines but not nearly as long as would be expected in areas where Islam is more established.

Peace be to you Iconodule:

Appreciate the contribution to this positive thread.