The Meaning of a Verse by Shaykh Saʼdi

Question

Mawlana [Shaykh] Saʼdi said: [ar]پرتو نیکاں نگیرد ہر کہ بنیادش بدست ٭ تربیت نا اہل را چوگردگان بر گنبدست[/ar] “The light of the righteous does not touch him whose foundation is corrupt; training the unworthy is like walnuts [rolling] on a dome [unable to stay on it]” (verse of Shaykh Saʼdi). What is meant by “foundation” (بنیاد)? And who is the “unworthy one” (نا اہل)?

Answer

It is stated in a hadith: [ar]وَاضِعُ الْعِلْمِ عِنْدَ غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ كَمُقَلِّدِ الْخَنَازِيرِ الْجَوْهَرَ وَاللُّؤْلُؤَ وَالذَّهَبَ[/ar] “He who entrusts knowledge to those unworthy of it is like one who hangs jewels, pearls and gold around the necks of swine” (hadith, “Mishkat al-Masabih”).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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