After citing numerous ahaadeeth regarding the excellence of knowledge and its benefits in both the life of this world as well as in the Hereafter; Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

“For indeed; we have mentioned two hundred proofs regarding the excellence of knowledge and of its people in a singular work.

Oh what it has by way of degree! – there is none higher than it; and it is a virtue – beyond which there is nothing more outstanding.

And its brightest gleam in radiance; is that during his lifetime; a person should be busied in some preoccupation of it.

Or that which is in his grave has become a fragmented remnant of a corpse and limb joints that are strewn. This; whilst the pages of his good deeds are continuously added to with good deeds; recorded in them at all times. Along with the good actions which are conferred to him – from where he could not have perceived.

Those – by Allaah – are noble deeds/qualities and are riches! And for this let those who aspire then compete.

That is the bounty of Allaah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allaah is the possessor of great bounty.”

(Taken from: Tareequl Hijratain vol 2 p.770-771)