Abdallah the son of Amr (May All Be Pleased with them) reported Allah’s messenger as saying: "Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from men, but takes it away by taking away the learned, so that when He leaves no learned man, men will take ignorant men as leaders. Causes will be presented to them and they will pass judgment without knowledge, erring and leading others into error." [Agreed upon].
So, how devastating is the death of a scholar to the nation; for the death of a scholar is not like the death of any other person. Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah Be Pleased with him, said: "The death of a scholar is a fissure that nothing can mend as long as the night and day alternate." [Al-Bayhaqi in 'Shu'ab Al-Iman'].
There's no doubt that in every era of Islam, there have been scholars whom Allah, Glorified and Exalted, has Enabled to preserve His religion. They are the trustees of this religion and the inheritors of the Prophets who convey His religion, clarify the rulings of His law, and guide the nation to it.
On the authority of Abu Darda', may Allah Be Pleased with him, he said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: "Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. Indeed, the angels lower their wings in approval of the seeker of knowledge. And indeed, everyone in the heavens and on earth, even the fish in the depths of the water, seek forgiveness for the scholar. And indeed, the superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like the superiority of the moon on a full moon night over all other stars. And indeed, the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. Indeed, the Prophets did not bequeath dinars or dirhams; they bequeathed knowledge. So whoever takes it has taken a generous portion." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
The death of a scholar has a profound impact on the people of their era, due to the significant void it leaves among them. Here, we are speaking of the devout scholar whose words are consistent with their actions, and whose pronouncements do not differ from the deeds of their limbs.
There is no doubt that our affliction with the loss of our scholar and distinguished jurist, Sheikh Nuh Al-Qudhat (May Allah have mercy on him), is immense. This is because we have not lost an ordinary man, but rather a scholar and an educator. I don't believe anyone who knew the Sheikh or worked closely with him failed to gain immense benefit, which had a significant impact on their character and conduct. The Sheikh, may Allah have mercy on him, would teach you when he spoke, when he was silent, when he sat, and when he walked. Even those far from him received much of this benefit through reading his books and articles, and listening to his sermons and lessons.
Why would not it be so? The life of the Sheikh, may Allah have mercy on him, was full of love for knowledge and eagerness to acquire it. From his early years, he strived to seek knowledge and traveled to Al-Sham (Syria), where he gained knowledge from prominent scholars at the Institute of Sharia Sciences, which was affiliated with the Al-Gharra Society founded by Sheikh Ali Al-Daghar, may Allah have mercy on him. The Sheikh then continued his pursuit of knowledge at the University of Damascus to obtain his bachelor's degree, followed by travel to Cairo for his master's degree, and then to Saudi Arabia for his doctorate. After that, he dedicated himself to issuing fatwas, both within the armed forces and in civilian life.
Upon his passing, the Sheikh, may Allah have mercy on him, left us with a heavy burden. He entrusted every one of his students with the responsibility to follow his example and complete what he began and established. This is so that this good and righteous seed may become a magnificent tree whose shade every Muslim, from the east to the west of the earth, can enjoy and from whose fruits they can eat.
Therefore, O our Sheikh, may Allah have mercy on you. Our consolation in your passing is that your reward and recompense, by The Will of Allah, will continue until the Day of Judgment. This is because our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "(When a person dies, all their deeds cease except for three: continuous charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), knowledge from which benefit is gained, and a righteous child who prays for them)." [Sunan An-Nasa'i]. And you, by The Will of Allah, have attained these three: beneficial knowledge, continuous charity, and a righteous child who prays for you. And indeed, your students are nothing but continuous charity for you, by the will of Allah."
May Allah, The Almighty, have mercy on you, O our Sheikh, and gather us with you and the righteous of this nation, alongside the Prophets and martyrs, in the abode of His Mercy in the highest Paradise. Indeed, He is The Guardian of that and is Capable of it.
