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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_knowledge, page : 61
Hanbal and Yahya ibn Ma‟in used to call upon Ma‟ruf al Kharkhi who, in esoteric
knowledge (ilm al-zahir) was not their equal; nevertheless, they used to seek his
advice. And why should they not have done so? Had not the Prophet, praise and
peace be upon him, when he was asked: “What shall we do when we are
confronted by something, which we cannot find in either the Koran or in the
Tradition?” said: “Ask the honest men among you and guide your affairs by
consultation.” For that reason it has been said that the learned men of esoteric
knowledge are the ornament of the earth and the state, while the learned men of
esoteric knowledge are the ornament of heaven and its kingdom. Al Judayd said:
“Once upon a time my teacher al Sari asked me saying: „When you leave my
place whose company do you keep?‟ I said: „Al muhasibi‟s.‟ To, which he
replied: „Well have you chosen! Follow his learning and culture, but avoid his
affectation in speech and his refutation of the theologians.‟ Upon leaving I
overheard him say: „May Allah make you first a traditionist and then a Sufi rather
than a Sufi first and then a traditionist.‟” This is a reference to the fact that he
who first acquires versatility in tradition and learning and then turns to Sufism
comes off well, he who takes to Sufism before learning exposes himself to
danger.
knowledge (ilm al-zahir) was not their equal; nevertheless, they used to seek his
advice. And why should they not have done so? Had not the Prophet, praise and
peace be upon him, when he was asked: “What shall we do when we are
confronted by something, which we cannot find in either the Koran or in the
Tradition?” said: “Ask the honest men among you and guide your affairs by
consultation.” For that reason it has been said that the learned men of esoteric
knowledge are the ornament of the earth and the state, while the learned men of
esoteric knowledge are the ornament of heaven and its kingdom. Al Judayd said:
“Once upon a time my teacher al Sari asked me saying: „When you leave my
place whose company do you keep?‟ I said: „Al muhasibi‟s.‟ To, which he
replied: „Well have you chosen! Follow his learning and culture, but avoid his
affectation in speech and his refutation of the theologians.‟ Upon leaving I
overheard him say: „May Allah make you first a traditionist and then a Sufi rather
than a Sufi first and then a traditionist.‟” This is a reference to the fact that he
who first acquires versatility in tradition and learning and then turns to Sufism
comes off well, he who takes to Sufism before learning exposes himself to
danger.