Two men, one learned and theother devout, were mentioned to God’s messenger, who then said, “Thesuperiority of the learned man over the devout man is like mine overthe most contemptible among you,” adding, “God, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and eventhe fish invoke blessings on him who teaches men what is good.”Tirmidhi transmitted it. Darimi transmitted it from Makhul in mursalform, but did not mention the two men. He said, “The superiority ofthe learned man over the devout man is like mine over the most contemptible among you.” Then he recited this verse, “Only those of Hisservants who are learned fear God," (35:28) 1 then went on with the tradition tothe end.
The Superiority of Knowledge over Mere Devotion
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes a profound hierarchy between the scholar (ʿālim) and the devout worshipper (ʿābid). The comparison of "like mine over the most contemptible among you" is not merely rhetorical but establishes a metaphysical and spiritual chasm. The scholar's rank is elevated because their knowledge ('ilm) illuminates both their own worship and guides others, whereas the devout person's worship, while praiseworthy, primarily benefits themselves.
The Cosmic Invocation of Blessings
The second part of the hadith reveals the divine honor bestowed upon the one who teaches goodness. The invocation of blessings (ṣalāt) from God signifies His mercy and pleasure. The ṣalāt of the angels is their supplication for the teacher's forgiveness and elevation. Remarkably, this divine support extends to all creation—the heavens, the earth, and even creatures like ants and fish. This signifies that the entire universe operates in harmony with and in support of the dissemination of beneficial knowledge, as it fulfills the purpose of creation.
The Link to Divine Fear (Taqwā)
The recitation of the Quranic verse, "Only those of His servants who are learned fear God" (35:28), in the Darimi transmission is crucial. It clarifies that true, God-conscious fear (taqwā) is the fruit of genuine knowledge. It is not the devout ascetic, but the soundly learned scholar who truly comprehends God's majesty, commandments, and the consequences of actions, thereby possessing the most profound and correct fear of Him. This knowledge-based taqwā is superior to fear born of mere ignorance or emotion.
The Integral Role of the Teacher
The hadith culminates by honoring "him who teaches men what is good." This emphasizes that the highest station of knowledge is not its mere possession but its propagation (tablīgh) for the benefit of the community. The scholar is thus a inheritor of the Prophets, tasked with guiding humanity away from misguidance. The immense reward promised is a direct reflection of the societal and spiritual function they perform, which perpetuates the message of Islam.