In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“Is he who payeth adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (to be accounted equal with a disbeliever)? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed.” (39:9)
The Splendor of Knowledge according to the Sages.
By Dr. Hamzah Ibn Fayi' Al Fathi.
May Allah preserve him.
The Etiquette of Sitting with Scholars.
Al-Hasan Ibn 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, said:
He who passed away in the year fifty-one after the Hijrah.
He said to his son:
"O my son,
when you sit with scholars,
be more eager to listen than you are to speak.
Learn the art of good listening,
just as you learn the art of silence.
Do not interrupt anyone’s hadith, even if it is long,
until they conclude."
The scholars are your mentors from whom you have studied.
So, when you are in their presence,
attend with tranquility and dignity.
Do not argue or interrupt,
until they grant you permission to speak.
Master the technique of knowledge,
before speaking, debating, or correcting.
How beautiful it is for a student to be attentive, turning toward his teacher with complete politeness and reverence,
giving him his full attention,
engaging with his mind, and listening with care.
Among the etiquettes, also,
is complete and attentive listening,
which is done with intellect, appreciation, and a desire to benefit.
We learn this just as we learn the art of absolute silence,
in which there is no speech or debate.
Another is to show proper conduct toward the speaker,
even if their speech is long and their words are many,
as long as they hold the rank of a teacher
and are engaged in teaching and benefiting others.
One should listen to them without annoyance or impatience,
recording their words and noting their benefits,
because knowledge requires patience and concern,
not laziness or avoidance.
One should not leave except for a necessity.
Regarding the etiquette of the gathering in the Sunnah,
consider the hadith of the three men.
It is recorded in the two Sahih collections on the authority of Abu Waqid Al-Laythi, may Allah be pleased with him,
that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
was sitting in the mosque with people around him,
when three men approached.
Two of them came forward to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
and one went away.
He stood before the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
As for one of the two,
he saw a gap in the circle and sat in it.
As for the other, he sat behind them.
As for the third, he turned away and left.
When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, finished, he said:
"Shall I not tell you about the three men?
As for one of them,
he sought refuge with Allah, so Allah gave him refuge.
As for the other,
he was shy, so Allah was shy with him.
As for the other,
he turned away, so Allah turned away from him."
Al-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
"As for the third, he turned away, so Allah turned away from him,"
meaning He did not show him mercy.
It is also said that He was displeased with him.
This is understood to mean that he left out of aversion,
not due to an excuse or necessity.
Peace.