“مَنْ سُئِلَ عَنْ عِلْمٍ عَلِمَہٗ ثُمَّ کَتَمَہٗ اُلْجِمَ بِلِجَامٍ مِنَ النَّارِ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامۃِ” (ترمذی، ابوداؤد)(
“He who is asked something he knows and conceals it will have a bridle of fire put on him on the Day of Resurrection.” (Tirmizi, Abu Dawood)
Explanation:
In the prophetic tradition mentioned above, there has been given a stern warning for both teachers and taught, especially for those who confine their knowledge to themselves rather than sharing their knowledge through any kind of educational activities to impart it to others.
Only if a man is sensitive and possesses a living conscience, he can never be contented with the information he comes across through his studies, rather he would feel restless unless and until he shares it with others and thus discharge his responsibility well.
It comes about Hazrat Sufyan Sauri (R.A.) that once he chanced to visit Asqalan and stayed there for three days, none came to him to ask him any question. Seeing this regrettable condition, he felt much restless and said, “Manage some conveyance for me so that I depart from here as soon as possible, since it is such a place where knowledge is subject to cease.”
How sad it is that if, by chance, there occurs any emergency, a teacher enjoys it a lot taking the advantage of this situation! On the contrary, the fact is that a sincere and affectionate teacher never fails to continue his duty. Taking for instance, it was in 1256 A.D. that when Halakukhan destroyed the Baghdad city, it caused a great shock to its dwellers. Later on, when Halakukhan came to see the destroyed city, he was taken aback to find that studies were as usual going on in Madrasa Mustansirah situated in it.
When Miya Nazeer was still engage in rendering his teaching services in Madrasa Raheemiyah, Delhi, when Freedom fight took place in 1857 A.D. Even in such dire situation, at times, even when the bombs would fall in the courtyard of the mosque, Miyaji was found still engaged in teaching his students with a rock-like resolution being according to اَلاَ اِنَّ اَوْلِیَائَ اﷲِ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَیْھِمْ وَلاَ ھُمْ یَحْزَنُوْنَ.
In fact, there had been a key role played be a well-versed scholar, Badiul Zaman Saeed Noorsi and his students. It was in 1924 A.D. that Mustufa Kamal Pasha had passed an order to close all the Madaris as soon as the Usmaniyah Caliphate came to an end. Even he imposed a ban on calling Adhan and imparting Islamic teachings. As a result, Badiul Zaman Norsi (R.A.) opened some religious institutes under the cellars. Since, on either side of the cellars, there would be some doors, on which there would be appointed some cobblers or tailors who would be engaged in their works. However, when any of them saw any police or detective approaching it, he would inform those living inside, after which, all the students and teacher would go out hither thither through different doors. The same procedure of teaching and learning continue for 30 years consecutively at the risk of their lives. In 1953 A.D, when Adnan Mundaris got an upper hand, it was then that the new government removed this ban after which they began to continue to learn and teach in public and produced such a batch that that is holding the rein of the revolution we see today. It does convey an important message to us that a teacher, provided that he is sincere, can play an effective role as a builder of nation even in such unfavourable conditions and pave a way for even a greater revolution.
In fact, how sad it is that we cease to continue our teacing and learning process just due to an ordinary excuse like that of illness and so on while the fact is that the true thirsty of knowledge never feel contented till their last breath. Taking for instance, it comes about Imam Abu Yusuf (R.A.) that when Hazrat Imam Ibrahim bin Al-Jarrah (R.A.) came to enquire after while he was in his mortal decease, it was even in such serious condition that Imam Abu Yusuf (R.A.) asked him that what was the most preferable of Rami Jimar (stoning Satan with pebbles in Hajj). He replied to him whatever he know to the best of his knowledge. Thereafter, Imam Abu Yusuf (R.A.) further explained the issue saying that as for one who intended to stay there, he could stone on the foot, but what about one who does not intend to stay there, could he stone while he is on his conveyance. Hearing it, Ibrahim (R.A.) paused for a while and came out to think on it. He had hardly took some steps forward that he heard a voice of wailing. When asked he came to know that Imam Abu Yusuf (R.A.) left for his heavenly abode.
Similarly, it comes about a well-known globe-trotter, Abu Raihan Al-beroni that when he fell seriously ill, a scholar came to visit him. Taking this opportunity, he asked him about a reply to a complicated issue of ‘عول’ in the distribution of inheritance. The scholar replied that since he was approaching his death, better if he remembered Allah, the Almighty rather than concentrating on knowing anything about this issue. It was then that Al-beroni replied that was it suitable for him that he should depart from this world unacquainted with an issue. Hence, complying with his persistent insistence, the scholar explained that issue before him and left from there. Thereafter, just after a while he came to know about his death.
In a nutshell, just to know what a burning passion a sensitive and conscientious person has to share his knowledge to others and how restless he feels to fulfil his such a wish, the whole life account and following saying of Hazrat Abu Hurairah (R.T.A.) has an important message for us. At one occasion he said, “Even if a sword is hanging on my head and before its attack is shielded and my head is detached from my body, I will not miss any chance to narrate even a Prophetic Tradition.”