Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever is overtaken by death while he is seeking knowledge, when he appears before Allah Almighty, there will be no difference between him and the prophets (peace be upon them) except the rank of prophethood."
Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat; its chain contains a narrator, Muhammad bin al-Ja'd, and he is matruk (abandoned).
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب العلم / 504
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ ضعیف جداً بوجہ راوی محمد بن الجعد
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه الامام الطبراني فى معجم الاوسط 9454 ، أخرجه المعجم الأوسط للطبراني برقم: 9450»