Explaining the Importance of Morals for the Student of Knowledge

On this occasion, I would like to urge you to adopt noble morals: generosity, offering greetings of peace, doing good, tolerating one another, and meeting people with a cheerful countenance and a pleasant face. Among the characteristics of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was that he was always cheerful and frequently smiled, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him. He was always cheerful; you would never find him gloomy or frowning. He smiled often in appropriate situations. We have in him, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, a good example. Allah the Exalted said regarding him: .
Among the things that a student of knowledge should do is to guard his time from being wasted. The wasting of time occurs through causes or takes various forms:
The first form is neglecting to study and review what one has read.
The second form is sitting with one’s friends and loved ones and talking with them about idle talk that has no benefit.
The third form, which is the most harmful to the student of knowledge, is having no concern other than following the words of people, what is said and what will be said, and what has happened and what is happening, regarding matters that do not concern him. This is undoubtedly a sign of weak faith, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . Engaging in this gossip and asking many questions is a waste of time. In reality, it is a disease; if it spreads in a person, may Allah grant us safety from it, it becomes his greatest concern. He may even become hostile to those who do not deserve hostility, or show loyalty to those who do not deserve loyalty, because he is preoccupied with these matters that distract him from seeking knowledge. He claims that his concern is in the category of supporting the one who is right, but that is not the case. Rather, this is occupying oneself with what does not concern a person. However, if news comes to you without you seeking it out or asking for it, everyone receives news, but one should not be preoccupied with it. It should not be your greatest concern, because this distracts the student of knowledge, ruins his affairs, and opens the door to factionalism and loyalty and disavowal within the community, causing the community to divide. So we ask Allah the Exalted to guide us and you to what is good and righteous, to unite hearts upon His obedience, and to grant us beneficial knowledge, righteous deeds, and a good, broad provision that makes us independent of His creation.