al-Hajjaj bin Artah: They hated that one speaks until one had a gray beard.

(Akhbar-ul-Qudhah 2/54, afatwa.com)

Scholar: ´Allâmah Sâlih bin Fawzân al-Fawzân
Source: http://alfawzan.ws/node/5412
Reference: Darulhadith.com
Translation & video: Http://aFatwa.com

Shaykh al-Fawzân: The scholars are known. Not all who got diplomas, graduate, memorise Hadîths and verses and read books are scholars with understanding. The scholars with understanding are known amongst the people. But many people only want that which suits them. He looks for that which suits him even if he were to get an answer from the most ignorant or most deviant people. What is most important is that he gets what suits him and his desire. It is a great error and especially today. The scholars are few. There are few scholars with understanding unlike those who read who are many. There are many who read but the scholars with understanding are few. The prophet (sallâ Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said [what means]:

“Allâh does not seize this knowledge by pulling it out from the chests of men. It is seized by the death of the scholars. When there then are no scholar left, the people take the ignorant as leaders who in turn will answer without knowledge and go astray and lead others astray.”

We fear that this has started today. We therefore have to be vigilant, apprehensive and observant. We have to choose the scholars and trustworthy who live today as good as we can. As for the early scholars, then they have past away. But one should stick to the best of those (who are) alive:

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ

“So fear Allah as much as you are able”
(64:16, interpretation of the meaning)