Excerpt from The Excellence of Knowledge and the ‘Úlamâ/fadlul ‘ilmi wal-‘Úlamā, written by Badr al-Fuqaha Imām Muĥammad Naqī ‘Alī raĥimahullah.

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The ninth ayah of Sūrah Qasas says,

But those who had been granted [true] knowledge [the ‘Úlamā] said: “Alas destruction to you!” Who do not understand that piety and the blessings of Allah azzawajal is only for those who believe in Allah azzawajal and do good.”
This proves that an ignorant individual can never attain the status of an ‘Aalim. It is recorded in the Sunan of Tirmizī that two individuals were mentioned in the presence of the beloved Messenger of Allah śallAllāhu álayhi wa âlihi wa sahbihī wa sallam, an Ābid [worshipper] and an ‘Aalim[learned]. The beloved Messenger of Allah śallAllāhu álayhi wa âlihi wa sahbihī wa sallam said,

The merit of an ‘Aalim over an ‘Ābid is like my prominence over an insignificant amongst you/fadlul aalima alal ‘ābidi kafadlī ala ‘adnākum.
[Tirmizī, Sunan, vol. 7, pp. 455]

It is also reported that on the Day of Judgement, when Allah azzawajal will ascend His Divine Throne to judge His servants, He will then compassionately say to the ‘Úlamā,

Verily the only reason that I gave you knowledge and wisdom was that I may Bless and forgive you and I am not bothered [by anyone because I am the Almighty azzawajal].
[Adwal Qur’an, vol. 4, pp. 8. Under Sūrah Ta-Ha, verse 1]

It is reported in Bayhaqī that Sayyidunā RasūlAllâh śallAllāhu álayhi wa âlihi wa sahbihī wa sallam said,

Allah azzawajal is Most Generous and I am the most charitable amongst mankind, and after me the most generous amongst you is he who seeks knowledge and propagates it.
Imām Zahbī raĥimahullah reports that the noble Messenger śallAllāhu álayhi wa âlihi wa sahbihī wa sallam said that on the Day of Judgement, the ink of the ‘Úlamā and blood of the martyrs will be brought forward. The ink of the ‘Úlamā will be superior to the blood of the martyrs.

There is a chain of narrations in Ihyâ al-‘Ulūm that Allah azzawajal will order the ‘Úlamā and Shuhada to enter Jannah. The ‘Úlamā will say:

O Allah azzawajal! It is we who taught the people to worship you and make Jihad.
Allah azzawajal will state:

To Me, you are like My Angels. Seek pardon for whom you desire and I will accept it.
The ‘Úlamā will intercede for the people, and they will then be sent to Jannah.

It is reported in a blessed Ĥadīth that if one dies whilst seeking knowledge, one will meet Allah azzawajal in a state that, besides the sacred station of prophet hood [Nabuwwah], one will in the same level as the Prophets.

Another blessed Ĥadīth says,

If a person seeks one section of knowledge to educate others, Allah azzawajal will bless him with the reward of seventy Siddiqīn. 
It is recorded in Mu’allim al-Tanzīl that the beloved Messenger of Allah śallAllāhu álayhi wa âlihi wa sallam said,

When a person travels in search of knowledge, the Angels spread their under his feet; the earth, skies and even the fishes of the ocean make supplication for him.
[Tirmizī, Sunan, Ĥadīth 2752]

Imām Ghazâlī raĥimahullah reports that a single sight of the face of an ‘Aalim is more virtuous than an entire years devotion of salâh and sawm [fasting].

Both Imām Bukhârī and Imām Tirmizī reported the following sahīh Ĥadīth, in which the beloved Messenger of Allah śallAllāhu álayhi wa âlihi wa sahbihī wa sallam said,

When Allah azzawajal ordains to do good to anyone, He makes him knowledgeable in the matters of Dīn/man yuridill-hu bihi khayrun yufaqih-hu fid-dīn.
[Bukhârī, Sahīh, Ĥadīth 17. On the authority of Amīr Mu’āwiya rađiyAllāhu ánhu.]

It is recorded in al-Ashbah wa al-Nazā’ir that no-one is certain about one’s end [death besides aFaqīh [jurist]. This is as he is certain about the assurance of Allah azzawajal Who promised salvation for them.

It is further reported in Durr al-Mukhtār that Imām Ismayīl bin Abi-Raja raĥimahullah saw Imām Muĥammad rađiyAllāhu ánhu in a dream and enquired of his welfare and if Allah azzawajal had pardoned him. The Imam rađiyAllāhu ánhu replied that Allah azzawajal said to me,

If I had ordained to punish you then I would have not blessed you with knowledge. 

The Internet offers numerous Islamic web-sites that are easily accessible to a Muslim and especially to the youth who are searching for information from other sources throughout the world. However, while this system of retrieving information and learning has its rewards, it can be damaging, confusing and misleading in many ways to those youth who are very gullible and have little knowledge about Islam.

While many Islamic web-sites caters for those learned Muslims who are busy in research, to use the sites to study and learn about Islam without the assistance of a teacher or instructor can be very damaging to one's Imaan. Further, now that many false sects are on the Internet propagating their false beliefs under beautifully designed logos, this danger of being misled is even more amplified.

The best way to Islamic Studies is the old way, and that is, through the guidance of learned teachers. The very presence and interaction of students with a learned teacher has a great spiritual and reformative advantage with todays computer science and what the Internet fails to offer. 

The Master of both Worlds şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam states:

The acquisition of ilm is obligatory upon every man [and woman].

The gaining of ilm is obligatory upon all, the ilm referred to in the Hadith above is the knowledge of Sharia rules pertaining to the daily activities of both men and women.

The shari’ rulings in regards to salah and fasting are obligatory upon all, [but] the rulings in regards to menstruation are obligatory only upon women. One who is travelling to pilgrimage, the shari’ issues in respect to a successful pilgrimage are fard ul ayn [only upon the individual travelling for pilgrimage], however studying to become a learned scholar [aalim] is classified as fard ul kifayah, that if one individual in that town fulfils this condition, the condition will be fulfilled in favour of all. [Mira’at Ul-Manajīh]

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glossary:

ilm: knowledge

fard ul ayn: in Islamic law, refers to legal obligations that must be performed by each individual Muslim, including prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage

fard ul kifayah: a legal obligation that must be discharged by the Muslim community as a whole, such as military struggle; if enough members in the Muslim community discharge the obligation, the remaining Muslims are freed from the responsibility before God. However, if a communal obligation is not sufficiently discharged, then every individual Muslim must act to address the deficiency. 

kya farmāte haiN Úlamā-e dīn is mas’ale ke: ‘ilm-e dīn hāsil karna wājib hai, farz hai ya sunnat?

farz ‘ayn ka ‘ilm hāsil karna, farz ‘ayn, farz kifāyah ka farz kifāyah, wājib ka wājib, mustaĥab ka mustaĥab, wAllahu Ta’āla a’lam

fatâwah ar-riđawiyyah, vol. 23, pp. 690