Explaining Some of the Manners of the Student of Knowledge

The Shaykh : We are scholars, they claim, and students of knowledge in reality. We must not forget that the one who is a scholar is far below the Messenger in terms of stages that cannot be counted, and students of knowledge are likewise far below the Companions of the Messenger in stages. So why do we not restrain ourselves from being preoccupied with the means and make our entire concern the goal? That is, that our love be first, as it is supposed to be, pure for the Face of Allah, and second, that it be bound by the means that were bound in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Is there any doubt now that Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali, and the rest of the Ten, and the People of the Tree, and the like, loved the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? Your love for your claimed shaykh cannot be compared to theirs. Did they accept him? Did they embrace him every time they saw him? The answer is no.
"So imitate them, even if you are not like them, *** For imitating the noble ones is success."
Leave the matter of longing to you, Abu 'Anas. What is longing? Because we fear that we are among those who occupy themselves with the means to the detriment of the goals.

The questioner : And longing may give birth to thorns.

The Shaykh : May Allah reward you.

The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good, O our Shaykh.
'Ali Hasan: Our Shaykh, your words reminded me of a principle that many cite in places where it does not apply. And this speech is, in fact, a direct refutation of it, O our Shaykh. It is their saying, "The means have the ruling of the goals." This is an open door that is not straight!

The questioner : ... Expanding on the introduction of a new means. Ibn al-Qayyim rejected this issue in *I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in* and *al-Madaraj*. He said: Their saying, "The means have the ruling of the goals," is a general principle that is not absolute. Because some may bring a newly invented means for a goal or a correct purpose. This is not acceptable!

The Shaykh : And now, how many are the newly invented means! With the same claim. And the taxes and levies in all the lands of the world were not justified except by such a thing. How?

The questioner : We were talking about this issue...

Another questioner : That is, O our Shaykh, intentions sometimes do not avail. The story of the man who was drinking intoxicants. It was said, "Do not curse him, for he loves Allah and His Messenger."

The Shaykh : There is no connection between your statement, your question, and the story.

The Shaykh : How are you, 'Abd al-Rahman? Are you eating with us? Fasting? What Allah willed. May Allah accept it from you. Is this supplication permissible?

The questioner : Yes, Shaykh.