The very first word of the very first Revelation on the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (ﷺ) says “اقْرَأْ” which means “read”. And it was on the basis ofknowledge that Allah Almighty commanded the angels and the jinn to prostate before Hazrat Adam (علیہ السلام).

Both the Glorious Quran and Hadith about knowledge stress on both the men and women to seek knowledge.

The Knowledgeable vs the Ignorant:

Here is a verse from the Holy Scripture where Lord Almighty says that those who know cannot be equal to those who do not know.

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ (39:9)

Translation: “Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.”

In the similar way, Allah’s Last Apostle Hazrat Muhammad (ﷺ) also talked about virtue and necessity of knowledge on several occasions. The same has been preserved in the form of Hadith about knowledge.

Sahih Hadith about Knowledge:

As narrated in Hadees No. 2646, Chapter: Knowledge, Jamia At-Tirmidhi, the Holy Prophet said, “Whoever takes the path to seek knowledge, Allah makes the path to the Paradise easy for him.

On another occasion, He (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him) said that seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman.In the same Hadith (narrated by Anas bin Malik), He (ﷺ) added, “He who imparts knowledge to those who do not deserve it, is like the one who puts a necklace of jewels, pearls and gold around the neck of swine."

However, this Hadees about learning has been declared as Da’if or weak.