The Importance of Knowledge

The Prophet's Speech on the Importance of Knowledge.

Mu'ath bin Jabal narrated that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said the following.

Acquire knowledge, for surely it leads to fear of Allah. Seeking it is an
act of worship ('ibadah); studying it is praising Allah; seeking it is
jihad; teaching it to whomever doesn't known it is an act of charity
(sadaqah); and giving it to its people draws one closer to them. Knowledge
points to the permissible (Halaal) and the forbidden (haraam); and it is a
shining light pointing the way to paradise It comforts the lonely,
befriends the estranged, and talks to you in seclusion. It is a guide
through prosperity and adversity; it is a weapon against enemies;
and it is the best of friends. With knowledge, Alláh raises people to high
stations, making them leaders in goodness, whose steps are traced. Their
example is emulated, their opinion followed. The angels like to sit with
the people of knowledge, surrounding their wings; and everything dry or
wet, -fish of the sea and animals on land, - will ask Allah to forgive
them. Knowledge gives life to the heart in the midst of ignorance, and
illumines vision in the darkness. With knowledge, God's servants become
the elite and reach the highest degrees in this life and in the hereafter.
Contemplation with knowledge is equivalent to fasting (sawm); spending
time to study it is equivalent to standing at night in prayer (qiyam);
duties to relatives are fulfilled by it; and through it the halaal and
haraam are known. Knowledge precedes action ('amal) and action always
follows it. The fortunate ones attain it and the miserable ones are
deprived of it.

"Allah raises the ranks of those among you who believe and those who were granted the knowledge." - Surat al-Mujadilah, Ayah 11