Some feel that he is too old, embarrassed to sit in the assembly to hear the scholars convey valuable knowledge and ultimately reluctant to learn. Though scholars in the past, even from the time of friends are never shy to learn, they never despair to learn despite being in old age. Some 26-year-olds are new to Islam, some even in their twenties-or 90 years-are just beginning to learn. But they are those who become great scholars because accompanied 'uluwwul himmah (high spirit in learning). Claiming the science of religion is a very noble practice. Look at the virtues mentioned by friend Mu'adz ibn Jabal radhiyallahu 'anhu, "Practice science (learn Islam) because studying it is a virtue for you. Seeking knowledge is a worship. Reminiscent of knowledge is tasbih. Discussing a science is jihad. To teach knowledge to people who do not know is alms. Devoting the energy to learning from the experts is a qurbah (closer to God). "
The Imam who has been very well known in our midst, Imam Asy Shafi'i rahimahullah said, "Nothing after the mandatory things which are more important than studying."
Here are 10 exemplary examples of salaf scholars in which, when they are old, they are still passionate about studying Islam.
Example 1 - From the friends of radhiyallahu 'anhum
Imâm Bukhârî mentioned in the book of saheeh, "The Companions learn to the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam new when old age".
Example 2 - Words of Ibnul Mubarok
From Na'im bin Hammad, he said that someone asked Ibnul Mubarok, "Until when do you study?" "To the death of God," said Ibnul Mubarok.
Example 3 - The Sayings of Abu 'Amr ibnu Al' Alaa '
From Ibn Mu'adz, he said that he asked Abu 'Amr ibn Al' Alaa ', "Until when is the best time to learn for a Muslim?" "During the life of the body," he replied.
Example 4 - The example of Imam Ibn 'Aqil
Imam Ibn 'Aqil said, "I have never wasted my time in my life even though I lost my license to speak or lost my sight to much study. My mind was still working as I rested. I'm not getting up from my seat unless somebody puts me in danger. Really I just found myself so eager in learning when I was 80 years old. My spirit when it's more awesome than when I was 30 years old ".
Example 5 - The example of Hasan bin Ziyad
Az Zarnujiy said, "Hasan bin Ziyad once entered a science assembly to study when he was 80 years old. And for 40 years he never slept on a mattress ".
Example 6 - Example of Ibn Jauzi
Adz Dzahabiy says, "Ibn Jauzi had read Wasith before Ibn al Baqilaniy and he was 80 years old."
Example 7 - Example of Imam Al Qofal
Al Imam Al Qofal was studying when he was 40 years old.
Example 8 - The example of Ibn Hazm
At the age of 26, Ibn Hazm did not know how to pray properly. Originally he began to study in (religion) is when he attended the body of a respected man from his father's brother. At that time he entered the mosque before the prayer 'Ashar, then he immediately sat not do the prayers sunnah tahiyatul mosque. Then there is the teacher who said with a gesture, "Let stand, pray tahiyatul mosque". But Ibn Hazm did not understand. He was then told by the people who were with him, "You do not know that tahiyatul prayer mosque is obligatory?" (*) At that Ibn Hazm was 26 years old. He then reflected and understood what his teacher meant.
Then Ibn Hazm performs a prayer at the mosque. Then he met the relatives of the dead. After that he re-entered the mosque. He immediately performed the prayer tahiyatul mosque. Then someone said to Ibn Hazm, "Let's sit down, this is not the time for prayer" (**).