The Reality of Bookish Knowledge: The Stance of Pious Predecessors
Maulana Faisal Ahmad Sahib Nadvi Bhatkali writes: Our pious predecessors (Salaf) did not give any importance to purely bookish knowledge. That is, if a person did not have teachers and mentors, and had acquired some knowledge solely from books, it was given no weight. There have been some people in Islamic history whose mention in books appears with condemnation rather than reverence. The pious predecessors were not even willing to engage in scholarly debates with someone possessing such mere bookish knowledge. What an exemplary incident Qadi Ayyad (may Allah have mercy on him) has narrated: During the time of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), there was a man named Ibn Abi Da'ud who possessed only bookish knowledge. He would stir up controversial debates here and there. The Caliph of the time, Al-Mu'tasim, said to Imam Ahmad, "Please speak to Ibn Abi Da'ud and silence him." Imam Ahmad replied, "How can I speak to a person whom I have never seen at the door of any scholar?" Reflect and take heed of how people today are causing various tribulations (fitnah) through such bookish knowledge. The Reality of Jurisprudential Differences / Pages 19-20
