The obligation to verify information and respect scholars, by Sheikh Salih Ibn Fawzan Al-Fawzan

Certainly the presence of cultivated and enthusiastic preachers does not replace that of scholars in the community, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم informed us that at the end of time, there would be many reciters of the Qur'ân but that few will understand it .

These are reciters, but they are not endowed with understanding. To attribute the name of scientist to these people is to attribute it to others than those who deserve it, because it is the reality and not the title that must be considered. There are many who excel in speech and cause the common people to lean towards them, when they are not endowed with understanding.

And what reveals these individuals are the situations which arise and which require the knowledge of the Islamic judgments, when the comprehension of these preachers and enthusiasts shows its limits, and thus the role of the scholars manifests itself. We must therefore beware of this and give scholars their rights, recognize their place and virtue is placed everyone in the place that suits them.

Sheikh Salih Ibn Fawzan Al-Fawzan