(The virtue of the people of knowledge)

Kathir b. Qais told how, when he was sitting with Abu Darda' in the mosque of Damascus, a man came to him and said, “Abu Darda', I have come to you from the town of the Messenger for a tradition I have heard that you relate from God's messenger. I have come for no other purpose.” He replied that he had heard God’s messenger say, “ If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of paradise, the angels will lower their wings from good pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, and the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and the fish in the depth of the water will ask forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout man is like that of the moon on the night when it is full over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the prophets who leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who accepts it accepts an abundant portion.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi calling Him Qais b. Kathir.

Abu Umama al-Bahili said that:Two men, one learned and the other devout, were mentioned to God’s messenger, who then said, “The superiority of the learned man over the devout man is like mine over the most contemptible among you,” adding, “God, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and even the fish invoke blessings on him who teaches men what is good.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Darimi transmitted it from Makhul in mursal form, but did not mention the two men. He said, “The superiority of the learned man over the devout man is like mine over the most contemptible among you.” Then he recited this verse, “Only those of His servants who are learned fear God," (35:28) 1 then went on with the tradition to the end.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “ People will follow you, and men will come to you from all regions of the earth seeking understanding about the religion; so when they come to you, give them good counsel.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, “A word which contains wisdom is the stray beast* of the wise man, so wherever he finds it he is most entitled to it.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying that this is a gharib tradition and that Ibrahim b. al-Fadl the transmitter is declared to be weak in tradition. *i.e. something to be sought.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “One faqih has more power over the devil than a thousand devout men.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “The search for knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim, but he who commits it to those who are unworthy of it is like one who puts necklaces of jewels, pearls and gold on swine.” Ibn Majah transmitted it. Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman up to the word “Muslim”, saying that this is a tradition whose text is well known but whose isnad is weak, it being transmitted by many ways all of which are weak.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Two qualities are not found together in a hypocrite:good behaviour and knowledge of religion.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who goes out in search of knowledge is in God’s path till he returns.” Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

Sakhbara al-Azdi reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone seeks knowledge, it will be an atonement for past sins.” Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying that this is a tradition whose isnad is weak, and that Abu Dawud the transmitter is declared to be weak.