As much as some may behave to the contrary, there is no priestly or rabbinical order that is textually sanctioned in Islam. The Qur’ānic text is replete with examples of censure given to the previous nations that descended into an abyss through their scholarship [e.g. 5: 44, 63; 9: 31, 34]. Whether that was altering the rulings for a miserly price, to taking the diktats of the priestly order above and beyond the revealed law. Scholarship underpinned by piety is neither conferred by virtue of holding any particular office, the mere presence upon a state-sanctioned committee, nor even by means that are inherited. Enchantment with or outright sycophancy towards those despotically holding political office is also not a sign of scholarship, let alone scholarly conduct. Indeed, as we move inexorably towards the end of days, it is worth reminding ourselves of the words that the Prophet peace be upon him furnished us with concerning the ‘deceitful jurists.’ In al-Mu’jam al- Ṣ
"Thoughts are the greatest wealth of any nation."