The Ulama Are The Heirs Of The Prophets

A person presented himself before Hadrat Abu Darda (Radi Allahu Anhu) in the Mosque of Damascus and said that he had traveled from Madinah Munawwarah to learn a (particular) Hadith of Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) from him. He said, "I have heard that you narrate this (particular) Hadith, so I have traveled here solely for this reason". Hadrat Abu Darda (Radi Allahu Anhu) said that he heard Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying:

"A person who travels any path for the sake of acquiring knowledge, Allah Ta’ala guides him to the path of Paradise and the Angels spread out their wings for the pleasure of the students (who strive to attain Ilm-e-Deen). Those in the skies and those who populate the earth and the fish in the sea, (all) make dua for an Aalim, and the superiority of an Aalim over an Aabid (worshiper), is like that of full moon over all the stars, and undoubtedly, the Ulama are the heirs of the Prophets (Ala Nabbiyyina wa Alayhim as-Salam). The Prophets (Ala Nabbiyyina wa Alayhim as-Salam) did not appoint heirs to gold coins and wealth. They appointed inheritors to (their) knowledge. So whomsoever has taken (this) knowledge, he has attained a complete share."

[Jaami' Tirmidhi, Vol. 4, Page 312, Hadith 2691]