The Quran

يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا إِذا قيلَ لَكُم تَفَسَّحوا فِي المَجالِسِ فَافسَحوا يَفسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُم ۖ وَإِذا قيلَ انشُزوا فَانشُزوا يَرفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذينَ آمَنوا مِنكُم وَالَّذينَ أوتُوا العِلمَ دَرَجاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِما تَعمَلونَ خَبيرٌ

Ali Unal

O you who believe! When you are told, “Make room in the assemblies (for one another, and for newcomers),” do make room. God will make room for you (in His grace and Paradise). And when you are told, “Rise up (and leave the assembly),” then do rise up. God will raise (in degree) those of you who truly believe (and act accordingly), and in degrees, those who have been granted the knowledge (especially of religious matters).¹ Surely God is fully aware of all that you do.

Merit is not to be sought only in sitting in the assembly of a scholar or spiritual guide. Merit lies in faith and knowledge. So, one should seek the assemblies of scholars and/or guides only with the intention of visiting them for God’s sake, and with their permission, and only in order to increase in faith and knowledge. When (true) knowledge, which leads one to greater piety and a better religious life, and from which others benefit, is added to faith, God will exalt its owner in many ranks.