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

Imam Sufyan ath-Thawree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “It is said: Seek refuge in Allah from the fitna of the ignorant devout worshipper and the fitna of the sinful (wayward, wicked, corrupt etc) scholar, for their Fitna is a trial for every Maf’toon.” (1)

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “For indeed the people emulate their scholars and devout worshippers, so, if the scholars are sinful and the devout worshippers are ignorant, then the calamity will become widespread through them (i.e. these two types of people) and severe for both the prominent (influential people) and the commoners.” (2)

(1) Akhlaq al-Ulamaa by p. 63 by Imam Al-Aajurree, may Allah have mercy upon him.

(2) Miftaaḥ Daar As-Sa‘aadah 1/160