HADHRAT WAHAB BIN Munabbah (rahmatullah alayh) said: “A man who searches for this world (its wealth and for fame) with deeds of the Aakhirah, Allah Ta’ala makes his heart blind. His name is written in the record of the inmates of Jahannum.”

The pursuit of the Knowledge of the Deen and Ibaadat are for the acquisition of the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and the rewards of Jannat. Those who make the Knowledge of the Deen their means for obtaining worldly benefit and for attainment of nafsaani desires are the most despicable specimens of humanity according to the Hadith.

A man asked Hadhrat Ibn Mubaarak (rahmatullah alayh): “Who is a pious man?”

Hadhrat Ibn Mubaarak: “A sincere practising Aalim.”

The Man: “Who is a king?”

Ibn Mubaarak: “A Zaahid (i.e. a man who has renounced this world).”

The Man: “Who is a contemptible man?”

Ibn Mubaarak: “A man who earns the world (wealth, name and fame) with his knowledge and acts of worship.”

In this naseehat there is adequate admonition for those learned men who sell their ‘fatwas’ to riba banks in exchange of the miserable monetary perks the banks offer. The muftis sitting on the ‘shariah’ boards of banks should beware.