Abu al-Dardaʾ said, “The scholar and the learner share the same reward.”

Muhanna transmitted from Imam Ahmad that “seeking knowledge is the best of deeds for anyone whose intention is sound—that is, he means by it to remove ignorance from himself and to benefit others.”

Mansur likewise reported from Imam Ahmad: “Reviewing knowledge for part of the night is better than spending the whole night in worship.”

The knowledge intended here is that from which people benefit in their religious affairs.

The two Imams, Abu Hanifah and Malik, declared: “The finest voluntary act connected to knowledge is to learn it and to teach it.”

Shaykh Taqi al-Din (Ibn Taymiyyah) said: “Learning and teaching knowledge is partly included in jihad, and knowledge is the noblest object on which breaths are spent and for which lives are sacrificed.”

Imam al-Nawawi said: “The early generations agreed that occupying oneself with knowledge is superior to occupying oneself with supererogatory prayer, fasting, glorification, and the like. Knowledge is the light of the heart; whomever Allah desires good for, He grants him understanding of the religion. It is therefore the best of deeds and the one closest to Allah. The highest of the sciences is the foundations of the faith, then Qur’anic exegesis, then hadith, then the principles of jurisprudence, and then jurisprudence itself.”

Al-Ghazali said: “O seeker of knowledge! If your purpose in studying is rivalry, boasting, attracting people’s attention, or amassing the trifles of this world, your transaction has failed. But if your intention in pursuing knowledge is guidance, not mere transmission, then rejoice, for the angels spread their wings for you as you walk, pleased with what you seek.”