Caution Against Despotic Behaviour In The Path of Knowledge – [By Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

“Beware of pride the disease of the despots, because indeed pride, avarice and (blameworthy) envy were the first sins through which Allaah was disobeyed”. Brief Comment: The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “Pride is to reject the truth and mock at the people”. This refers to shaytaan’s behaviour when he was commanded to prostrate to Aadam, but pride prevented him from doing so. He refused and was haughty.

“Raising yourself above your teacher is pride and being arrogant towards the one who benefits you from amongst those who are below you (in knowledge) is pride”. Brief Comment: Raising oneself can either be by way of the tongue (i.e. speech) and it can also be by way of sentiments (feelings, attitude, behaviour etc). He (i.e. the student) maybe walking with his teacher, whilst swaggering and saying, “I did this and I did this. Likewise, being arrogant towards the one who is below you in knowledge is pride. This also occurs from some of the students that if someone below him in knowledge informs him of something, you find him arrogant and does not accept.

“Falling short in acting upon knowledge is a sludge of pride and an indication of being deprived of (well-being)”. Brief Comment: We ask Allaah for wellbeing because from the types of pride is to not act upon the knowledge one knows.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 38-40 by Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah). slightly paraphrased]