What did Muhammad mean by the ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr?

Answer 1

Firstly, this so-called "hadith" was classified as FABRICATED or WEAK by many scholars.

However, aside from its authenticity based on "isnaad", there are many other indicators that prove that this hadith is FABRICATED.

1) Allah, The Most High, says, "Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward -

"[4:95]

Clearly, from this ayah (verse), the scholars cannot have a greater reward than those who fight because fighting requires extreme sacrifice of ones life, wealth, well-being, etc....sacrifices that are never made to attain scholarship. In short, this ayah, contradicts this so-called "hadith", therefore, the "hadith" in question is FABRICATED.

2) The history of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) shows that he didn't encourage his Companions (pbut) to sit and become scholars. Most of their time was spent fighting in the Madinah Period, Conquest of Makkah, Roman and Persian Conquests and beyond. As a matter fact, the only source of knowledge at that time was from the revelations of Quran and The ArchAngel Gabriel (pbuh) given to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Plus, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was illiterate, so if anyone was to practice what they preached, it would've been Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). And clearly, history shows that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not live by that so-called "hadith".

3) To answer your question: this so-called "hadith" is talking about the preference of calling others to Islam (called dawah) over fighting. If that was the goal, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) should've NEVER LEFT Makkah for Madinah. He should've stayed and called peacefully and at least learn to read and write. However, history again shows, that throughout the 13years of Messengership in Makkah, only 100 in total embraced Islam despite the persecution. However, after Madinah and the battles that were carried out thereafter, people were embracing Islam by the thousands...so much so, that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was able to conquer Makkah. After the conquest of Makkah, he didn't stop. His Companions (pbut) continued fightint to Persia and Rome's doorstep AT THE SAME TIME and CONQUERED THEM BOTH!! It is for this reason, that people have accepted Islam and it is for this reason alone that is sufficient justification for the powers-that-be to prevent Islam from returning to its roots once again.

4) This single, lone-standing, so-called "hadith" goes against NUMEROUS AUTHENTIC hadith mentioning the virtues and greatness of fighting in the way of Allah.....mentioned in the books of Bukhari, Muslim, and Tirmidhi. One need only to look up the chapters about Jihad in those books.

So...to sum it up: This so-called "hadith" is classified by the scholars as FABRICATED and it contradicts the Quran, many AUTHENTIC hadith about the great virtues of fighting, and historical facts.

To all Muslims reading this: heed the words of Allah Most High in Quran in surahs 8 and 9....return back to your roots and learn lessons of history (story of Prophet Muhammad [pbuh]).

"And may peace be upon those who follow The Guidance...."