Do the legal texts that speak of the virtue of scholars and people of knowledge—such as His Almighty's saying: "Allah bears witness that there is no god but He—and so do the angels and those of knowledge—upholding justice," and "Only those who have knowledge fear Allah among His servants," and the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying: "The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets"—in addition to the sayings of the Salaf, include only the great scholars, or do they include students of knowledge at various levels?

Scholars vary in their ranks and stations according to the knowledge Allah has bestowed upon them concerning Himself and His Law. The Messengers of Allah are the most knowledgeable of creation concerning Allah, and then people vary after them in this regard. The extent of a person's share in the texts regarding the virtue of knowledge and its people depends on their eagerness for knowledge. The more a person increases in knowledge, in fear of Allah, and in firm understanding of Allah and His Law, the higher their status becomes. Allah has used people of knowledge as witnesses to His Oneness, and He has informed us that they are the ones who truly and perfectly fear Him, as in His Almighty saying: {Allah bears witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge, standing firm in justice. There is no god worthy of worship except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise}, and His Almighty saying: {Only those who have knowledge fear Allah among His servants}. The complete fear of Allah belongs to the people of knowledge, foremost among them the Messengers, and then those who follow them. Therefore, discouraging the seeking of knowledge is a satanic ploy aimed at depriving a person of good, so one must beware of the devil's machinations, strive against evil whispers, and pay no attention to them.