Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
The auspicious work of disseminating and acquiring Islamic knowledge in a dedicated place was started by the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. Hence, Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alahi Wa Aalihi Wasallam was the first Mu'aallim (Teacher), the Sahabah (May Allah be Please with them) were the first Talib 'Ilm (Student), and Suffah was the first Madressah.
It is extremely enlightening to look at how Suffah was run. The Sahabah (May Allah be Please with them) who wanted to acquire 'Ilm (Knowledge) dedicated their lives to this task, to the exception of other activities such as earning a living. Their sustenance was provided by the Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam himself. Whenever someone brought some Sadqa (Alms), the Ashaab-e-Suffah (Fellows of Suffah) were given a share from it.
At this point, some malignant elements raise an objection that (Ma'aaaz Allah) the times of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam were different because Islam was in its infancy and such sacrifices were necessary. The fact of the matter is, we have been told very clearly what things are peculiar to the times of the Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. For example, Hazrat Ali (May Allah be Pleased with him) was forbidden to adopt the Kunniyyat of 'Abu Qasim' during the life of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam.
Since certain Companions (May Allah be Pleased with them) put such special effort in the acquisition of Islamic knowledge, the concept of specialized scholars was present even in the times of Hazrat Umar (May Allah be Pleased with him).
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From Hayaatus Sahabah Vol 3
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas May Allah be Pleased with him narrates that it was at Jaabiya that Hadhrat Umar May Allah be Pleased with him delivered a sermon to the people saying, "Whoever has any queries about the Qur'aan should go to Ubay bin Ka'b May Allah be Pleased with him, whoever has any queries about inheritance should go to Zaid bin Thaabit May Allah be Pleased with him whoever has any queries about Fiqh should go to Mu'aadh bin Jabal May Allah be Pleased with him and whoever requires money should come to me because Allah has given me authority over it and entrusted me with its distribution."
Tabraani in his Awsat. Haythami (Vol.1 Pg.135) has commented on the chain of narrators.
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Thus, the instutions of Madressah and Scholars, and the practice of seeking knowledge from them is proven and prescribed by the Sharia itself.
Some Mulhid, Zindeeq and irreligious types of people openly state that (Ma'aaaz Allah) Islamic knowledge imparted by Madressahs is superfluous and that the resulting scholars are a burden upon society and useless in earning money. Let us turn to the guidance from our Beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam
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From Hayaatus Sahabah Vol 3
Hadhrat Anas May Allah be Pleased with him reports that during the time of Rasulullaah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam there were two brothers, one of whom worked while the other was always with Rasulullaah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam to learn from him (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam). When the working brother complained about his brother to Rasulullaah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam (that he did not work), Rasulullaah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said to him, "It is perhaps because of him that you are granted sustenance."
Tirmidhi, as quoted in Jam'ul Fawaa'id (Vol.1 Pg.20). Ibn Abdul Birr has reported a similar narration in his Jaami Bayaanil Ilm (Vol.1 Pg.59), as has Haakim in his Mustadrak (Vo1.l Pg.94), reporting from reliable sources as confirmed by Dhahabi.
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At this point, malignant people point out that 'knowledge' in these times is actually scientific knowledge and (Ma'aaaz Allah) religous knowledge is unnecessary. Alhamdullillah, our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam has given us such comprehensive guidance, that these subversive elements cannot misguide Muslims however much they try.
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From Hayaatus Sahabah Vol 3
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Amr May Allah be Pleased with him reports that Rasulullaah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said, "Knowledge is of three types; explicit verses of the Qur'aan, concrete Ahadeeth (with authenticity that is beyond doubt) and injunctions of the same standing (Ijmaa [Consensus of authorities in lslaamic jurisprudence.] and Qiyaas [The sound Sharee analytical deduction of accepted Muslim jurists.] that is beyond doubt). Everything apart from this is extra (it is not compulsory to learn)."
Abu Dawood and Ibn Maajah, as quoted in Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.27). Ibn Abdul Birr has reported a similar narration in his Jaami (Vol.2 Pg.23).
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The auspicious institutions of Madressah and Scholars have continued since the time of our Beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. Classically, students have travelled to well known scholars whose sole job was teaching of Islamic knowledge. Their sustenance was taken care of through Alms given by people. The Madressahs that stand today in Pakistan are Alhamdulillah the continuation of this auspicious tradition.
At this point, we should address a commonly raised question. What benefit do religious scholars provide in modern life? Unfortunately, this question is asked by exactly those who are immersed so much in 'modern life' that the details of pious life escape them. Anyone who prays five times a day can attest to the fact that a lot of questions arise, ranging from direction of Qiblah, to the place where prayers can be performed, and so on and so forth. And as every practicing Muslim well knows, common people cannot always remember all the rules that must be followed when performing various religious duties. It is our religious scholars, who safeguard every minute detail of these rules, and keep reminding us so they remain fresh in our minds.
But more than that, Islamic rules encompass every walk of life. In the times of Hazrat Umar (May Allah be Pleased with him), people were forbidden from trading in markets until they could prove they had acquired the religious knowledge of correct trading. How can we achieve this ideal without religious scholars safeguarding this knowledge?
A common misconception is present amongst people that religious knowledge is simple to acquire and simple, innocent Muslims need not be burdened with any complexities. Nothing can be further from the truth. The basis of our religion lie in Quran and Hadith which are originally quoted in Arabic. Remember that words become more unclear as you move away in both time and space from the original source. Hence, there is a rigid set of rules that when applied to the words of the Holy Quran and Hadith, imparts the correct meanings to them. A large part of contemporary religious scholarship comprises the painstaking study of these rules over a number of years. This is combined with knowledge of the life of the Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam, and the knowledge of the correct interpretation of the Holy Quran. This knowledge is amassed over a number of years, after which a person is trusted with studying the knowledge of Ahadith. It takes eight years for people to acquire this body of knowledge, after which they are given the title of 'Aalim, that is scholar. Such people are authorized to explain the rules of Islamic worhship, such as the rules regarding prayers, zakaat etc. They are still not authorized to perform jurisprudence, make an independent interpretation of the Holy Quran, or pass judgement on the validity of Ahadith. It takes a further 2 years of study to gain the status of 'Mufti' in each of these areas. So, if someone wanted excellence in all three areas, they would need to spend a total of 6 years after spending 8 years. On top of this, the Asaatiza-e-Kiraam (Teachers) make painstaking efforts to inculcate piety, God fearliness, Taqwa, and goodness in these students.
The fact of the matter is that we have various types of irreligious mulhideen, and zindeeq people who blatantly pose themselves as true Muslims and try to claim the mantle of Islam to themselves. I exhort my fellow Muslims to be aware of the machinations of these malignant, subversive elements. They need to be called out, singled out, and expunged so that they do not tarnish the true nature of Islam as revealed by Allah the Almighty to His Last Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. May Allah give all of us Guidance and Steadfastness towards the Right Path. Aaameeen.
