A FULL MOON over the rest of the stars.

The Messenger of Allāh, (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 

“The virtue of a scholar over a worshiper is like the virtue of a FULL MOON over the rest of the stars.” ⁽¹⁾

 

 [The Worth of a Scholar]

Here are some beautiful words by al-Imām Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal [d. 241 AH]², may Allāh have mercy on him, highlighting the value of the scholars:

All praise belongs to Allāh, He who has allowed people of knowledge to remain in times when there are no messengers. They invite those who have strayed back to guidance. They are patient with those who harm them. They bring back to life, with the Book of Allāh, the lifeless. And they give sight, with the light of Allāh, to the blind.

Keep Only a Few Friends

 

Source: ‘Biography of Imaam Sufyaan ath-Thawri'

       Bismillaah wa-Hamdulillaah was-salaatu was-salaamu 'alaa rasoolilaah

Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawri (rahimahullaah), a true mountain of knowledge & the leader of believers in Hadeeth said that one foolishly compromised one’s religion when one kept too many friends. Having too many acquaintances diverts one from one’s duty towards one’s Lord, for a person who has many friends is always busy socializing with them and fulfilling their rights over him; so he becomes preoccupied with people when he really should be preoccupied with his religious duties. The ill-effects of being too gregarious can last well beyond a social gathering.

If you find yourself LAZY upon obedience to Allaah

 ...then be afraid that Allaah is averse to your obedience 

 

Translated by Rasheed Barbee

Sheikh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn al-Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) said in his explanation of the book, Aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah wa Jamaat in tape number seven:

وَلَكِن كَرِهَ اللهُ انبِعاثَهُمْ فَثَبَّطَهُمْ وَقيلَ اقْعُدوا مَعَ القاعِدينَ
“…but Allaah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)."

(At-Tawbah 9:46)

Oh Allaah save us…this verse is extremely dangerous & the scale is in His saying,

Truly in the heart there is a void.....

 

"Truly in the heart there is a void that cannot be removed except with the company of Allaah. And in it there is a sadness that cannot be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allaah & being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that cannot be filled except with love for Him & by turning to Him & always remembering Him. And if a person were given all of the world & what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness." 

-- Ibnul-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (Rahimahullaah)