Virtues of Knowledge and the Student of Knowledge in Light of Authentic Aḥādīth
Excerpt from: Aḥkām al-Masājid by Shaykh Muḥammad Munīr Qamar
❖ Superiority of Knowledge over Worship
◈ In al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ of Ṭabarānī and Musnad al-Bazzār, it is reported from Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (RA) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
((فضل العلم خير من فضل العبادة وخير دينكم الورع))
“The excellence of knowledge is superior to the excellence of worship. And the best aspect of your religion is piety.”
❖ The Path of Knowledge Leads to Paradise
◈ In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī, Nasāʾī, Ibn Mājah, Ibn Ḥibbān, and al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim, from Abū Hurayrah (RA), the Prophet ﷺ said:
((من سلك طريقا يلتمس فيه علما سهل الله به طريقا إلى الجنة...))
“Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him. No group gathers in one of the houses of Allah to recite the Book of Allah and study it among themselves except that angels surround them, tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, and Allah mentions them among those with Him.”
❖ Angels Honor the Student of Knowledge
◈ In Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah, Ibn Ḥibbān, and al-Bayhaqī, the Prophet ﷺ said:
((وإن الملائكة لتضع أجنحتها لطالب العلم رضا بما يصنع))
“Indeed, the angels lower their wings for the student of knowledge, pleased with what he does.”
◈ In another narration (Ibn Mājah, Ibn Ḥibbān, Ṭabarānī, al-Ḥākim, Musnad Aḥmad), Ṣafwān ibn ʿAssāl (RA) said: The Prophet ﷺ said to a seeker of knowledge:
((مرحبا بطالب العلم أن الطالب العلم تحفته الملائكة بأجنحتها...))
“Welcome, O seeker of knowledge! Indeed, the student of knowledge is wrapped by the angels with their wings out of love for what he seeks.”
❖ Reward of Hajj and Jihād for Seeking Knowledge
◈ From Abū Umāmah (RA), the Prophet ﷺ said:
((من غدا إلى المسجد لا يريد إلا أن يتعلم خيرا أو يعلمه كان له أجر كأجر حاج تاما حجته))
“Whoever goes to the mosque only to learn goodness or teach it, he will have the reward of a complete Hajj.”
◈ From Abū Hurayrah (RA), the Prophet ﷺ said:
((من جاء مسجدي هذا لم يأته إلا لخير يتعلمه، فهو بمنزلة المجاهد فى سبيل الله))
“Whoever comes to this mosque of mine only to learn good or teach it, he is like one striving in the path of Allah.”
❖ Propagation of Knowledge
◈ The famous ḥadīth narrated through numerous companions and over 150 chains states:
((نظر الله إمرأ سمع مقالتي فحفظها ورعاها ثم ذهب بها إلى من لم يسمعها))
“May Allah brighten the face of one who hears my saying, memorizes it, preserves it, and then conveys it to one who has not heard it.”
This highlights the virtue of learning, preserving, and transmitting knowledge.
❖ Seeking Knowledge is Obligatory
◈ The Prophet ﷺ said:
((طلب العلم فريضة على كل مسلم))
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
(Ibn Mājah, al-Bayhaqī, Ṭabarānī)
In some versions, it is added that “everything, even the fish in the sea, seek forgiveness for the student of knowledge.”
❖ Scholarly Insights
◈ Classical scholars like Imām Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr authored comprehensive works such as Jāmiʿ Bayān al-ʿIlm wa Faḍlihī on the subject.
◈ Imām al-Suyūṭī mentioned that neglecting scholarly gatherings in favor of optional worship is among the innovations that mislead people from the Sunnah.
◈ The Qur’ān itself instructs:
﴿وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا﴾ (20:114)
“And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
❖ Conclusion
Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim. The Qur’ān, Sunnah, and scholarly consensus highlight its superiority over optional worship. Attending circles of Qur’ān and Ḥadīth in mosques is more virtuous than engaging in voluntary prayers individually.
Knowledge is light, and abandoning it strengthens ignorance. The student of knowledge is honored by the angels, promised forgiveness, and given the glad tidings of Paradise.
