The death of the scholars is a great calamity. The state of being at the time of their loss is like that of a night traveler who has been deprived of light from his path. Or like a road whose star in the sky has faded away. This is since with the death of the scholar, knowledge is taken away and the world is led astray.

Al-Bukhaaree reported in his Saheeh (no. 100) that ’Abdullaah Ibn ’Amr Ibnul-’Aas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said: “I heard Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) say:

“Verily Allaah does not take away the knowledge by snatching it away from (the hearts of) the people.  But rather he takes it away by the death of the scholars, to the point that when not one scholar remains, the people will then take ignorant people as their leaders, who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge.  So they will go astray and will lead others astray.”

’Ataa‘ and Wakee’ said concerning the tafseer (interpretation) of Allaah’s saying:

“Don’t they see that We are gradually reducing the land from its outlying borders.” [Sooratur-Ra’d 13:41]

“It means the departure (i.e. death) of its Fuqahaa‘ (religious scholars) and the best of its inhabitants.” ’Ikrimah and ash-Sha’bee said: “If the earth continues to diminish it would become so narrow that it would be difficult to find even a small hole to defecate in.” And when Zayd Ibn Thaabit (radiyallaahu ’anhu) died, ’Abdullaah Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said: “Whoever wishes to see how knowledge goes away, then this is how it goes away.”

’Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said: “Take hold of knowledge before it is taken away – and the taking away of knowledge is by the death of its possessors.” When the scholars who possess immense knowledge pass away, destruction meets the people. Sa’eed Ibn Jubayr was once asked: “What is a sign of the people’s destruction?” He said: “When their scholars depart (i.e. die).”

It is known that the establishment of the Religion is founded upon gathering around the scholars and taking knowledge from them. With their righteousness, there is goodness in the Religion and the world. And with their corruption, there is corruption in all of that. And with the presence of their guidance and good character, which is inherited by the Ummah and the students of knowledge, the Ummah finds happiness and prospers.

Ibnul-A’raabee reported in his Mu’jam (no. 1254) and al-Bayhaqee in his Manaaqibush-Shaafi’ee (2/250) – and the wording is from him (al-Bayhaqee) – that Qutaybah Ibn Sa’eed said: “Ath-Thawree has died and piety has died (along with him)!  Ash-Shaafi’ee has died and the Sunnah has died (with him)!  And Ahmad Ibn Hanbal died and innovations have appeared!!”

And in our affliction due to the death of our Shaykhs, the two great and noble scholars, ’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn ’Abdullaah Ibn Baaz and Aboo ’Abdur-Rahmaan Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee, we feel that our Ummah has lost a great portion of the Sunnah and piety. And in addition, that it has been deprived of a great deal of the eradication of falsehood and the refuting of innovations.