بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The Noble Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (May Allaah have Mercy on him) on the difference between a Scholar ( ‘Aalim) and a Caller (Da‘ee)[1]
Question: What is the difference between a scholar (‘Aalim) and a caller (Da‘ee) to Islaam?
Answer: The difference between the scholar (‘Aalim) and the caller to Islaam (Da‘ee) is clear. The Da‘ee (caller) is one who strives to convey the message of the Sharee‘ah to Allaah’s servants. He calls them to it, sometimes by means of targheeb (encouragement) and tarheeb (deterring).The ‘Aalim (Scholar) is one whom Allaah has given knowledge and who may or may not be a Da‘ee (caller). However, if the ‘Aalim is not a Da‘ee, then he is extremely deficient in his knowledge and is not a complete inheritor of the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). This is because the Prophets – may Allaah’s peace be upon them all – did not bequeath the dirham or deenar as inheritance, but they bequeathed knowledge. Just as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said: “Verily, the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets and indeed the Prophets do not leave behind them the deenar or the dirham as inheritance, they only leave knowledge behind as an inheritance. So whoever acquires it, acquires a huge fortune.”[2] Consequently, whoever acquires knowledge and calls to Allaah, then such a person has truly inherited from the inheritance of the Prophets in proportion to what he establishes and implements from their prescribed laws.
As for the saying of some of the people that is permissible to become Du‘aat (callers) without knowledge, then if they mean a Da‘ee without a huge amount of knowledge; able to give fataawa (religious rulings), explain and deduce issues from their evidences then it is possible to accept this saying. However, if they mean a Da‘ee not having knowledge of what to give da‘wah to, nor having knowledge of what to give da‘wah with, then there is no doubt that this cannot be. Moreover, I warn people from calling to the truth in this manner, since the harm caused is greater than the good that will be achieved, as we have seen!
[1] From as-Sahwatul-Islaamiyyah (p. 75-76) of Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen.
[2] Hasan: Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 3461) and Ibn Maajah (no. 223) from Aboo Dardaa` (رضي الله عنه) It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in his checking upon Sharhus-Sunnah (1/276).
