It is the source of strength during old age and bestows...

It is the source of strength during old age and bestows elevated status to the person in the world and the Hereafter!” Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) says, “When Allah draws a balance sheet of deeds, then a drop of the scholars’ quill’s ink will be weightier and more valuable than the blood of the martyrs.” The Scholars And The Superiority Of Learning Mu’awiah bin Ammar narrates that he asked Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as), “Who is the better of two persons, one who disseminates your traditions and exhortations or the one who keeps himself busy in prayer day and night?” The Imam (as) replied, “The one who disseminates our traditions is the better of the two.

He is better than a thousand pious persons.” Then the Imam (as) added, “Live in the world like a Scholar of the Faith and as a seeker of knowledge ( Talib al-Ilm) or as a friend of the possessors of knowledge.” It is narrated that the Prophet of Islam (S) has said, “One who stirs out of his home in search of knowledge, Allah opens the doors of the Heaven for him and the angels spread their wings in his path and pray for his deliverance!

Not only the angels, but also all the creatures, including the schools of fishes in the oceans, pray for him. The status of ( Aalim) in comparison with the pious ( Abid) is like the moon amongst the stars. The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets (as). The inheritance of the prophets (as) is not wealth and riches. Their inheritance is knowledge and erudition.

One who acquires these is the true inheritor ( Warith) of the prophets (as).” Imam Hasan Al-’Askari (as) says, “The most pitiable condition amongst our people is that of the orphans who are away from their Imam (as) and in confusion about the matters of religious jurisprudence ( Masail-eSharaiah). The responsibility of their guidance is on our Shi’a scholars.

If they impart knowledge on the matters of religion to the people then, on the Day of Judgment, they will be in the company of the Prophet and his Vicegerents (as). The Imam (as) added, “My ancestor has narrated that the Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) said, ‘Those amongst our Shi’as who are scholars and spread their learning to others and dispel their ignorance, shall have crowns of light on their heads and wear the raiment from Heaven on the Day of Judgment.

The value of these will be much greater than all the riches of the world. A herald would say at that time,’ O people! This is one of the scholars from the disciples of the Scion of Muhammad (S)!