Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Abbas رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُما stated: I was young at the time of the apparent demise of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. I said to one of the Ansari boys who was same age as me: ‘Let’s acquire knowledge from the companions of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم because right now, there are a lot of them (in number).’ 

The Ansari boy replied: ‘O Ibn-e-Abbas, you are really strange. Why would people need you in the presence of so many companions (رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم)?’

Upon this, I left the Ansari boy and started acquiring knowledge myself. Many times, it happened that when I came to know that so and so companion has such and such a Hadees, then I would go running to his home. If he would be resting, then I would stay by his door resting on my shawl by making a pillow of it while hot breeze would keep burning my face.

When that companion would come out and see me in such a state, he would get impressed of me and say: ‘O the son of the Holy Prophet’s صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم uncle! What do you want?’ I would say: ‘You narrate so and so Hadees of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. I have just come to hear that.’ He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ would say: ‘you should have sent someone. I would have come myself.’ I would reply: ‘No, I should have come myself for this very task.’

After this, when all the companions رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم passed away, then the same Ansari saw that how people needed me. He would say out of regret: ‘O Ibn e Abbas! You were wiser than me.’ (Sunan-e-Daarimi, vol. 1, pp. 150, Hadees 570)   

صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد                      صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب

Dear Islamic brothers! What can be said about the virtues of acquiring Islamic knowledge. Virtues of ‘Ilm [knowledge] and ‘Ulama [scholars] have been mentioned at various places in the Holy Quran. 

Allah Almighty says in part 3, Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, Ayah no. 18:

شَهِدَ اللّٰهُ اَنَّهٗ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَۙ-وَ الْمَلٰٓىٕكَةُ وَ اُولُوا الْعِلْمِ قَآىٕمًۢا بِالْقِسْطِؕ    

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: Allah has testified that there is none worthy of worship but Him, and so did the angels and those of knowledge (Ulama), whilst maintaining justice. (Part 3, Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ayah 18)

The father of A’la Hadrat, Imam of Ahl-e-Sunnat, Maulana Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, ‘Allamah Maulana Mufti Naqi ‘Ali Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, states: ‘This Ayah proves three virtues of knowledge. First is that Allah Almighty has mentioned ‘Ulama with Himself and the angels. Second, ‘Ulama are also made the witness of His Oneness, just like the angels, and their witness has also been considered as the proof of Him being the Lord Almighty. Thirdly, Allah Almighty considered their (‘Ulama’s) witness to be authentic like that of the angels.’ (Faizan-e-‘Ilm-o-‘Ulama, pp. 9; summarised)

Similarly at another place in the Holy Quran, dignity and eminence of the people of knowledge has been mentioned in the following manner:

یَرْفَعِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْۙ-وَ الَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجٰتٍؕ