48. Text without context is pretext. ‘He withdraws knowledge by withdrawing the ulema.’

Definition:
pretext: something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

Interpretation:

Masha’allah!

We all know today the movement dedicated to the belittlement of the ulema of Ahl ul Sunnah Wa’l Jamma’. Frankly, many Muslims today continue to be unaware of the names of the greatest of scholars of our history.

Sure, it certainly is an appealing argument of theirs. “Why do you pray as you do? I have a hadith here which says this, or a hadith here which says that. Now, come, pray like me and forget what your father taught you, and what his father taught him.”

This is invariably followed by quoting some ayat directed towards the kuffar and applying it to Muslims. These are ayats which we are all familiar with, which deride the Kuffar for blindly following in their father’s footsteps.

This is an interesting tactic, and it works -so- very well.

That is, until one begins to contemplate on a few matters. First and foremost, a Muslim father’s, and his father’s father source of knowledge is directly available. And quite unlike the Kuffar, it is firmly grounded in Quran and Sunnah, regardless of whatever hadith the reformers have found and interpreted to support their personal opinion.

If one cares to study and determine it, the sources of fiqh are quite detailed in their explanations on all aspects of religious ritual and beyond. These detailed fiqh manuals which the knowledgable ulema taught to our forefathers still exist to this day. While these books may not be easily accessible to you, and the author’s names unmentioned in your household, nevertheless they exist and existed… Fortunately for us, these sciences continue today with those who spend their lives in the ulema’s tradition of excellence.

The key point that I derive from this Contention is that the usage of text’s (Quran, Hadith), in this above manner, without the context of the sciences and knowledge of the great personalities within the study of Sacred Knowledge, becomes merely a means to conceal one’s own personal desires and agenda under the cloak of religion.

The second part is under quotes, though I could not find the direct reference to it. If anyone can help me with that it would be appreciated.

The quote reinforces the idea expressed by the previous sentence since it associates knowledge, not with the source texts, but with the people have the capacity to memorize, understand, and apply the source texts.