Imam Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said in the commentary of this verse: «﴿لَوْلَايَنْهَاهُمُالرَّبَّانِيُّونَوَالْأَحْبَارُ ....﴾»[المائدة: 63/5] "Why do not their devout and learned men forbid them" that by «الربانيون» is meant the wise and the scholars.