The Difference between a Khateeb and a Faqeeh

It is a duty to maintain the honor of the people of knowledge and classify them accordingly. That’s why it’s necessary to pay close attention to the difference between the Ulema and the Khutabah. Because if the general people see a Khateeb speak eloquently they might think that he’s a scholar. And as a result of that return their current affairs and other important issues to him. And on account of that action this is their destruction.

Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymeeyah (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned a distinct division between the Khateeb and the Faqeeh. He said at the end of the hadeeth,

“”The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is … “[ Bukhari 79]

People who call people Fuqaha intend this title for people, that understand hadeeth, memorize its meaning, and explain it. Unlike a Muhaddith, that only memorizes the hadeeth. Both of these people are like instruments, which strongly grasp and preserve something so others can benefit. However the first person understands the intended meaning of the text and the second one doesn’t.

The same thing applies to the Quran. If a person memorizes it and the other understands the tafseer, both retain it and convey it to others. They are among the second category of people in this hadeeth.

The first category is a person whose heart downs the meaning of the texts and is affected the way rain affects the earth. And as a result of that his heart tastes the sweetness of faith, love for Allah, fear of Allah and relies on Him with sincerity. There other issues of faith connected with this category of people. They are the group of people that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance…

The Salaf used to call people in that category Fuqaha and the people who speak with knowledge lacking the things a Faqeeh has a Khateeb.

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “ Verily you are living in an era where there are numerous Fuqaha and few Khutabah. A time where many give and few ask. There will come a time when there will be numerous khutabah and few Fuqaha. Many will ask and few will give.”

Taken from An-Nubathu fee Adabee Talibul Ilmee by Hamad ibn Ibrahim Al-Uthman.

Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle

Doha, Qatar 1431 ©

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