Which is the greater sin: insulting scholars or ordinary people?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you.
O Shaykh: Which is the greater sin, insulting scholars or insulting ordinary people?
The Shaykh : Insulting scholars is the greater sin, because the harm of insulting a scholar does not fall only on the person of the scholar, but on him and on the knowledge he carries. When a scholar is insulted, his status in the eyes of people diminishes, and when his status diminishes in their eyes, they do not accept things from him. This results in harm to the Shari'ah that he carries. Moreover, insulting is forbidden, whether it comes from a scholar or an ordinary person. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:[Al-Hujurat 49:12] Yes.
O Shaykh: Which is the greater sin, insulting scholars or insulting ordinary people?
The Shaykh : Insulting scholars is the greater sin, because the harm of insulting a scholar does not fall only on the person of the scholar, but on him and on the knowledge he carries. When a scholar is insulted, his status in the eyes of people diminishes, and when his status diminishes in their eyes, they do not accept things from him. This results in harm to the Shari'ah that he carries. Moreover, insulting is forbidden, whether it comes from a scholar or an ordinary person. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said: