Question:

Should one beware of scholars who follow the worldly leaders?

Answer:

Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (s.) said: “The understanders ones (Fuqaha’) are the trustees of the messengers as long as they do not involve themselves in the worldly affairs.” They said: “O Messenger of God, what is their involvement in the worldly affairs?” He said: “In following the ruler. So if they do that, be warned of them because of your religion!” [Bihar-ul-Anwar of Al-Majlisi, Volume 2 page 36 Hadith 38]

نوادر الراوندي: بإسناده عن موسى بن جعفر، عن آبائه عليهم السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: الفقهاء امناء الرسل ما لم يدخلوا في الدنيا. قيل: يا رسول الله ما دخولهم في الدنيا؟ قال: اتباع السلطان، فإذا فعلوا ذلك فاحذروهم على أديانكم

 

Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (s.) said: “The understanding ones (Fuqaha’) are the trustees of the messengers as long as they do not involve themselves with the worldly affairs. They said: “O Messenger of God, what is the involvement in the worldly affairs?” He said: “In following the ruler. So if they do that, beware of them because of your religion!” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 1 Page 46 Hadith 5]

علي، عن أبيه، عن النوفلي، عن السكوني، عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: الفقهاء امناء الرسل ما لم يدخلوا في الدنيا قيل يا رسول الله: وما دخولهم في الدنيا؟ قال: اتباع السلطان فإذا فعلوا ذلك فاحذروهم على دينكم

The followers of Umar mention similar things.

Evidence:

Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (s.) said: “The understanding ones (Fuqaha’) are the trustees of the messengers as long as they do not involve themselves in the worldly affairs and do not follow the ruler. But if they do so, beware of them!” [Kanz-ul-Ummal of Al-Muttaqi Al-Hindi, Hadith 28953]

عن علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: الفقهاء أمناء الرسل ما لم يدخلوا في الدنيا ويتبعوا السلطان فإذا فعلوا ذلك فاحذروهم

Anas Ibn Malik reported that the Prophet Muhammad (s.) said: “The knowing ones are the trustees of the messengers as long as they do not get themselves involved with the ruler and do not interfere with the worldly affairs. But if they involve themselves with the ruler and are involved in the worldly affairs, then they have betrayed the messengers. Beware of them and be afraid because of them!” [At-Tadwin Fi Akhbar Qazwin of Ar-Rafi’i, Hadith 848]

أنبأ أبو الحسن القطان ثنا أبو حاتم الرازي ثنا إسحاق بن خالد ثنا إبراهيم بن رستم المروزي ثنا أبو حفص الأبار عن إسماعيل بن سميع عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: العلماء أمناء الرسل ما لم يخالطوا السلطان ويداخلوا الدنيا فإذا خالطوا السلطان وداخلوا الدنيا فقد خانوا الرسل فاحذروهم واخشوهم