The Messenger of God (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “If one travels in search of knowledge, God will make him travel to Paradise; the angels, being highly pleased with him, spread their wings over the seeker of knowledge; everything in the heavens and on earth, even the fish in the depths of water, seeks forgiveness for a scholar; and the superiority of a learned man over one engaged in ritual worship is like that of a full moon over the rest of the stars.”
(Ahmad: Abu Darda)
Islam lays much emphasis on seeking knowledge. The Holy Qur’ān reminds the believer of the importance of knowledge and encourages him to attain the power of knowledge. For, it is knowledge that makes man of man.
Here the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) throws light on the significance of knowledge and learning. He gives the glad tidings that travelling in search of knowledge leads the believer to Paradise. Angels welcome him with their wings wide spread. Everything in the heavens and on earth, even the fish in the depths of water, seeks forgiveness for a person who commits himself to academic pursuit.
A scholar or learned person is much better than a committed worshipper. Apparently a worshipper seems to be close to Allah. But the Holy Prophet says that in the eyes of Allah a learned man is superior to a worshipper. The metaphors of the moon for a learned man and of the rest of stars for worshippers justify the fact.