Scholars in fact are the worthiest of enjoying such rights...

Scholars in fact are the worthiest of enjoying such rights that enable them to go on achieving their aims and carrying out their religious tasks without being distracted by any other factor. Muslims, in the past, used to volunteer openhandedly to dedicate some money as waqfs[^10] for saving the livelihoods of the scholars. Compliance with Scholars Rational individuals refer to the specialists in the various fields of life so as to benefit by their experts.

In the same manner, Muslims should refer to scholars in fields of religious teachings and rulings. It is required to imitate and yield the fruits of the scholars’ studies who devoted themselves to servicing the Islamic Sharia, propagandizing its rulings, and guiding people to uprightness. Following so, people will have full awareness of their doctrine and will be able to resist the rumors of enemies.

But if they neglect reference to scholars, people will ignore the reality of their religion, principles, and rulings and, subsequently, will be the subject of deviation. The Prophet (S) said: “To sit with the religious people is the honor of this life as well as the life to come[^11].” “To sit with scholars is a sort of worship[^12].” “Knowledge is stored in safes whose key is question.

Hence, you Allah may have mercy upon you must put questions, for your questions will bring rewards for four persons: the asker, the instructor, the listener (to the question and answer), and the one who loves those three[^13].” Imam as-Sadiq (a) said: “People perish so long as they do not put questions[^14].” Luqman the wise instructed his son: “Son, sit with the scholars and stick your knees to them, for Allah enlivens the hearts i.e.

intellects- with the illumination of wisdom in the same way as He enlivens the barren lands with heavy rain[^15].” [^1]: Quoted from al-Wafi; part 3 page 40 (as quoted from al- Kafi). [^2]: Quoted from Bihar ul-Anwar; vol. 1 page 75 (as quoted from Bassaair ud-Darajat). [^3]: Quoted from Nahj ul-Balagha [^4]: Quoted from al-Wafi; part 3 page 40 (as quoted from al- Kafi). [^5]: Quoted from al-Wafi; part 3 page 40 (as quoted from al- Faqih). [^6]: Quoted from Bihar ul-Anwar; vol.

1 page 74 (as quoted from Ilal ush-Sharayi and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan as-Saffar’s Bassaair ud-Darajat). [^7]: Quoted from Bihar ul-Anwar; 1/64 (as quoted from ar- Rawandi’s an-Nawadir). [^8]: Quoted from Bihar ul-Anwar; 1/59 (as quoted from Sheikh as-Saduq’s al-Khissal). [^9]: Quoted from Safinat ul-Bihar; vol. 1 page 81.