Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: ... Just as there are mines of gold, silver, and other precious and base things, similarly, some families have people who are noble, high-minded, and courageous, while some tribes have people who are weak, base, and miserly. However, if those from noble families are also ignorant and unlearned, then their familial nobility is of no benefit. This means that a scholar from a lowly family is better than the ignorant ones from noble families. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is declaring the jurisprudential understanding (fiqh) and comprehension of the Islamic sciences as the sign of superiority in Islam. But it is unfortunate that in the era we are passing through, the landlords and influential people do not consider the understanding of the Qur'an and Hadith as a mark of honor. Ostentation and materialism have become so dominant that the degree which brings a higher salary is considered an honor. It is astonishing that even those who, for very little compensation, are serving Islam in mosques and madrasas, are given the same advice—to change their field so that their worldly life may improve.