Question:
Are there scholars who speak the falsehood and conceal the truth?
Answer:
Al-Hasan Al-Askari (a.) reported that Imam Ali (a.) was asked: “Who are the best creatures after the Imams of guidance and illuminating signs in the darkness?” He said: “The knowledgeable ones (ulama), if they act righteously.” He was asked: “Who are the worst creatures after the devil and Pharaoh and after those who use your names, take your titles for themselves, deprive you of your rights and manage your possessions for themselves?” He said: “The knowledgeable ones (ulama), if they act wickedly and manifest the falsehoods and hide the truths, and about them the Exalted One says: “God curses them and the cursing ones curse them as well.” (2:159) [Musnad Ali of Al-Qubanchi, Volume 1 Page 52 – 53 Hadith 158]
عن عن حسن بن علي بن حسن بن صالح عن الإمام أبي محمد العسكري عليه السلام قال: قيل لأمير المؤمنين صلوات الله عليه: من خير الخلق بعد أئمة الهدى ومصابيح الدجى؟ قال: العلماء إذا صلحوا، قيل: فمن شرار خلق الله بعد إبليس وفرعون وبعد المتسمين بأسماءكم والمتلقبين بألقابكم والآخذين لأمكنتكم والمتأمرين في ممالككم؟ قال: العلماء إذا فسدوا، وأنهم المظهرون للأباطيل، الكاتمون للحقائق، وفيهم قال الله عز وجل: اولئك يلعنهم الله ويلعنهم اللاعنون