Question
What is the source of these words?
عن أنس قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من طلب العلم ليباهي به العلماء ويماري به السفهاء أو يصرف وجوه الناس إليه فهو في النار
Answer
Imam Bazzar (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever seeks knowledge to be to be boastful over the ‘Ulama or to debate the foolish or to turn the people’s attention towards him, will be the fire.”
(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 7295)
Similar Hadiths have also been recorded on the authority of Sayyiduna Ka’b ibn Malik and Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). See here and here
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar