BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE · 1 – Encouragement to Seek Knowledge
Kisyr ibn Kays, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
I was sitting with Abu ad-Darda’ in the Damascus Mosque. A man came to Abu ad-Darda’ and said, “O Abu ad-Darda’, I have come to you seeking a hadith that reached me from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, which you narrated. I have come this far, all the way from Medina, may Allah purify it, just for that.”
Abu ad-Darda’ said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: ‘Whoever undertakes a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make a path for him to Paradise. The angels spread their wings for those who seek knowledge, pleased with them. Those in the heavens and on earth, and the fish in the sea, intercede for the learned. The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like that of the full moon over the other stars. Indeed, scholars are the heirs of the prophets. The prophets left no inheritance of gold or silver, but they left an inheritance of knowledge; whoever acquires it obtains a great portion.’”
It was narrated to me from Osman ibn Abu Sa'ida, from Abu ad-Darada, from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with the same meaning as the preceding narration.
Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said: "Whoever seeks a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make a way for him to Paradise. And if one’s actions hinder them, then lineage cannot advance them."