Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Trilib 349
includes properly implementing the mlings of Sharia on
people's reality. That requires precise and subtle
understanding of the realities of Muslim society. Another
aspect of wisdom is teaching this Ummah about its
religion, which requires a combination of teaching the
religion and training the Muslims to he conscious of Allah
and to observe good manners. As for deep understanding,
that means understanding religious rulings from their
Sharia sources. Hence the devoted scholars are the best of
the Ummah, because they combine two virtues, namely
the acquisition of knowledge and teaching and training
others. Hence they are the ones who are qualified to teach
and lead the ~mmah."~ Amir al-Mn'mineen 'Ali (&)
defined the devoted scholars as being the ones who teach
the people wisdom and train them on that basis."8
(b) Seekers of knowledge, whose intention is sincere, so that it
might be a means of their being absolved of responsibility
before Allah (s). 'Ali (&) referred to this type of person
when he said: "The one who seeks knowledge in order to
save himself." This applies not only to seekers of
knowledge who devote their lives to the pursuit thereof,
hut also to eveqone who shoulders the responsibility of
applying this religion to life. These are the people who are
concerned with their salvation in the hereafter, so they ask
the devoted scholars questions about religious matters in
order to worship AlJah (a) with proper understanding and
to interact with people according to the guidelines set by
Allah (s). Such people are regarded as those who seek
knowledge in order to save themselves, even if they do not
sit in study circles.'59 Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ah (A&)
showed us the importance of sincerity of intention towards