Question:-
I am a youngster from the U.S.A that intends studying Deen. However, my family keep telling me that the Ulama earn very little, hence how will I be able to support my family with such a meager salary? How do I respond to them? Please assist!
Answer:-
Firstly, students of Deen do not acquire the knowledge of Deen and propagate Deen to earn money. Mufti Muhammad Shafi Saheb Rahimahullah and other Ulama have recorded an incident wherein it is stated that the Madrasahs of Baghdad were at one stage run and sponsored by the Muslim government. Inspectors would regularly visit the Madrasahs to inspect the progress of the students. The king’s inspector once visited Madrasah Nizaamiyyah in Baghdad and questioned the students as to what their reason was for studying the knowledge of Deen. One student said that he wanted to be a Muslim judge like his father, whilst another stated that he wanted to be a Mufti, etc. The inspector thought to himself that, in such a case it will be better for him to close down the institute since the students are not studying with the correct intention. Thousands are being wasted on the institute as the objective of the students was to acquire position and nothing more.
As he was leaving the institute he notices a student deeply engrossed in his studies in one corner. Having some hope, he went up to him and asked him his reason for studying in the Madrasah. The student replied, “We have understood through our intelligence that Allah Ta’ala is our Creator and Rabb, but we don’t know how to please Allah Ta’ala and refrain from His disobedience. I have therefore come to the Madrasah to learn how to please Allah Ta’ala and refrain from His disobedience. On hearing this he was extremely pleased and said, “I intended to close this institute but I will keep this institute running just for this one student.” This student later turned out to be Imaam Ghazaali Rahimahullah. Our objective of acquiring the knowledge of Deen is to learn how to worship and obey Allah Ta’ala and refrain from things that draw His displeasure. This incident is recorded in the Malfoozaat of Mufti Muhammad Shafi Saheb Rahimahullah as well as Tuhfatul Ulama on Page.161 vol.1.
After acquiring the knowledge of Deen, one is required to practice upon that knowledge, and then propagate the knowledge of Deen. This should have been the concern of every Alim. Our objective has never been money, and will never be money. If money was the motive and objective, then another profession such as business would have been adopted.
When the Ulama-e-Haqq served the Deen of Allah Ta’ala with sincerity and with the correct intention, then Dunya fell at their feet! A leather coat worth 150 Rupees (which was considered to be an expensive garment at the time) was once sent to Hadrat Gangohi Rahimahullah. A Nawaab visited Hadrat Rahimahullah shortly after receiving this gift and he gave him the leather coat saying, that it is of no benefit to him. On another occasion, a king sent 10 000 Rupees to Hadrat Gangohi Rahimahullah. Hadrat returned the money stating that he has funds, so what should he do with these funds! Allah Ta’ala made Dunya fall at their feet yet they paid no attention to the material possession of this world. [Re:- Tuhfatul Ulama Pg.292 Vol.1] There are many other such incidents in regards to our pious predecessors. Once a person offered a bag of money to Hadrat Nanotwi Rahimahullah and when he refused to accept it, the money was left in Hadrat Nanotwi’s shoes. Hadrat instructed his Khaadim to distribute the funds amongst the poor.
Do you think that Allah Ta’ala will feed the world except those involved in the work of Deen? Never! Allah Ta’ala will provide for them with respect and honour from unimaginable sources. In fact, Dunya will fall at their feet as understood from the above incidents, with the proviso that they serve the Deen of Allah with Ikhlaas and sincerity. However, Dunya falling at our feet should never be our objective nor should we desire it.
Hadrat Maulana Abrar-ul-Haqq Saheb Rahimahullah, a senior Khalifa of Hadrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Rahimahullah states, “People say that Ulama earn peanuts, yet they also comment by saying that the Ulama are living it up.” How is that Ulama are living it up when they earn so little? This is the result of the Barakah and blessings that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala puts in their wealth.
The Ulama of Deen have always existed in every era and at all times. Are there any incidents recorded in the books of history stating that Ulama in particular suffered hunger, or didn’t get married and have children, or were unable to travel because of their occupation? No! Rather, it is the Ulama that enjoy good food and receive invitations from the worldly people; it is the Ulama that generally have more kids than others which is obviously an additional expense to their budget, it is the Ulama that are frequently out in the path of Allah travelling to various parts of the world, etc. Allah Ta’ala also affords them the opportunity of performing Hajj and Umrah yet their resources are limited. How is it possible? This is Allah’s way of providing and sustaining for His servants from the unseen.
In conclusion, the Ulama shouldn’t be concerned over their livelihood. Their concern should be to serve the Deen of Allah Ta’ala, and Allah Ta’ala will provide for them in return from unimaginable sources. We do hope that the above explanation answers your question.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
24 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1434 / 29 November 2021
