What is a Scholar?

[LaSorcia]

What kind of training do scholars receive? Is the training the same throughout all of Islam? Does a person become a scholar by completing certain requirements, or do they have to be recognized/appointed as one by their local mosque?

[AabiruSabeel]

Please see this thread: https://www.islamicboard.com/-ilm-kn...ib-ul-ilm.html

It lists the studies required for one to be considered as a Seeker of (Islamic) Knowledge.

[LaSorcia]

Well, I read it, but my understanding of it is a bit hampered by my lack of Arabic. Thanks for the post.

Are you saying that everyone here who has scholar under their name has met all of those requirements? That's pretty impressive! Is that post the generally accepted meaning of a scholar then?

[ardianto]

Greetings, sister.

Someone become scholar not because knowledge that he has learned, but because knowledge that he has taught to people. "Aleem" (scholar) is not academic title like MBA, but honorary title that given by people for Islamic teacher who has reached high level in teaching.

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[islamirama]

Are you saying that everyone here who has scholar under their name has met all of those requirements? That's pretty impressive! Is that post the generally accepted meaning of a scholar then?

No, not everyone who goes around calling themselves as scholars have met all those requirements. But a real scholar is the one who meets those requirements. A normal course towards Islamic studies at an Islamic institution like the one in madinah requires 2 years for arabic and passing the exam to show full fluency and mastery over the language before you can move forward, then you do 4 years of bachelors and then you can go further to do masters and phD. These will just give you qualifications as to what you could do at each level. You could go apply to be an imam at a masjid after the bachelor or go start your own institute like many have done in the west, albeit not sure if they got the approval to do so or not. Traditionally, you would study under different scholars for several years till you demonstrate you have acquired enough knowledge and understanding to teach others about Islam and then your teacher/scholar gives you his approval to teach as well

[AabiruSabeel]

Are you saying that everyone here who has scholar under their name has met all of those requirements? That's pretty impressive! Is that post the generally accepted meaning of a scholar then?

As far as I know, yes, all of them who are listed as Scholars here have studied all that. They have all studied at one of the traditional Islamic institutions.

Can they all be considered scholars? I think we might have to explain here that the English word scholar might carry different meaning or different impression than the Arabic word 'Alim. As brother Huzaifah said:

A Taalib-ul-`Ilm, once he has reached a certain level of `Ilm, is deemed to be an "`Aalim" (one who has `Ilm). `Aalim literally means "one who knows", as it is the active participle (Ism-ul-Faa`il) of the verb عَلِمَ يَعْلَمُ `Alima - Ya`lamu, which means "to know".

They are all 'Alim.

Some of them have the authority to teach and issue Fatwa. They would be more senior in rank than others.


There are other ranks that would be much higher depending on their level of knowledge, understanding and expertise in a particular field, such as Muhaddith, Mufassir, Faqeeh etc.

[AabiruSabeel]

And I need to clarify that not all of them were here in person. A brother was in contact with some of them and he used to post their messages, reminders, articles etc on their behalf.

[MuslimInshallah]

Assalaamu alaikum,


Mmm… I have read that a true person of knowledge has excellent manners and morals. Because if a person has truly understood the message of Islam, then he or she would live in harmony with this message.

When I am considering the level of knowledge of a person, I personally look at how he or she behaves. Is the person polite? Kind? Balanced? Caring? Is another person’s reputation and property safe with this person? Is the person’s language clean? Does the person restrain his or her ego? Does this person strive to bring harmony between people? Goodness to people? Is the person generous with his or her heart, time and possessions? Is the person just? Forgiving? Humble? Gentle with others, especially the vulnerable? But firm when confronted with wrongdoing…?

These are the things I consider first. Then I look at the level of studies and accomplishments. Because if a person does not have good character, then he or she is obviously unable to understand Allah’s Message. No matter how many books he or she may have read or memorized.

(smile) No one is perfect, of course. And we have to be careful as some people can fake goodness on the surface. But if we take the time to watch, listen and consider, the true character of a person becomes clear over. And a person who is generally good with others and tries hard to be better, is one that can be trusted to give sincere advice.

(smile) And if this person has certain necessary intellectual capacities, and has tried to gain knowledge of Allah's Will, through listening to and conversing with people of knowledge, reading widely, interacting with people to understand their lives and challenges, quiet contemplation... then I would listen very carefully to what this person would advise me. (smile) Though always remembering that I myself am responsible for my choices and acts before God.


May Allah, the Manifest and the Hidden, Help us to discover and do that which is Pleasing to Him.

[MazharShafiq]

normally we use word scholar for those who passed required Islamic syllabus but in fact the real scholar is one who passed the same syllabus and one thing more which is fear of Allah as Allah Tala describe in His Holy Quran (انما یخش اللہ من عبادہ العلماٰ) mean scholars are who fear of Allah Tala
للہ اعلم بالصواب

[LaSorcia]

Thank you everybody. I have a clearer understanding now.