From Jaabir (radiyAllâhu ‘anhu) who said that Allâh’s Messenger (salAllâhu ‘aliahi wa’sallam) said: “Do not acquire knowledge in order to compete with the scholars, nor to argue with the ignorant, nor to gain mastery over the gatherings. Since whoever does that, then: The Fire! The Fire!”
[Bukhari]
Consider, May Allâh have mercy on you, the admonition and the lesson contained in what Ibn Abee Haatim ar-Raazee narrates, he said: I entered into Damascus upon the students of hadîth and I passed by the circle of Qaasim al-Joo’ee. I found a group sitting around him and he was speaking. Their appearance amazed me and I heard him saying: ‘Seize the benefit of five things from the people of your time: when you are present you are not known; when you are absent you are not missed; when you are seen your advice is not sought; when you say something your saying is not accepted; and when you have some knowledge you are not given anything for it. I also advise you with five things: when you are treated unjustly then do not behave unjustly; when you are praised then do not become happy; when you are criticised do not be upset; when you are not believed then do not become angry; and if they act deceitfully towards you do not act deceitfully towards them.’ Ibn Abee Haatim said: So I took that as my benefit from Damascus.