There are only 500 verses in the Al Quran relating to Islamic laws
Understanding these 500 verses would equipped anyone to be an expert in Islamic laws
I’m not certain what Hadis says on this matter
For the scholars responsible for issuing fatwa in Islam, they need an in depth knowledge of these 500 verses
However, the Quran has 6,666 verses covering various aspects of knowledge other than these laws
Which includes knowledge on taqwa, akhlak, psychology, society, economics, history, mankind, their minds and science
Also included are knowledge on jamaah, struggle, methods of dakwah, knowledge on unity and others
To be an ulama or Islamic scholar one must understand all these knowledge in the Quran as mentioned earlier
A qualified ulama is one with comprehensive knowledge on all aspects
An expert in Islamic laws would not qualify as an ulama without understanding other aspects of knowledge
Ulama is the image/photocopy of the Rasul in his era
What is known to the Rasul must be known by all the current ulama
Ulama, an advisor for all members of the society
One who renders and transcribes all the knowledge in the Quran, in all aspects
Hence their knowledge must be comprehensive and global
Comprehensive both in spiritual and material development
Ulama the main pillar in the society
If the main pillar is not firm and strong, the society will collapse
To become an ulama is not as easy as it seems to be
It’s insufficient to acquire only the laws in the religion
Religion encompasses the knowledge of the Hereafter and the world
The progress in the Hereafter is related with the progress in this world
When aligned both would be valuable in the Hereafter
The value for the Hereafter begins with the life in this world
The world is a link/bridge to the Hereafter and there is a close relation between the two
With comprehensive knowledge, full understanding of its usage
The world and the Hereafter strengthen one another
For the mutual benefit of both the world and the Hereafter
9.6.2005
After Zuhur