Al-Amālī 1, narration 32

Translation

1. He said: Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Umar al-Ji’abi reported to me from Abul Abbas, Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Saeed al-Hamadani, who reported from Abu Musa, Harun ibn Amru al-Majaashei, who reported from Muhammad ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad, from his father, who reported from his grandfather that: The Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny), said: "A learned man among the ignorant people is like a living person among the dead. And everything, including the fish, the poisonous vermins, the wild beasts and the cattle pray for the forgiveness of the one who seeks knowledge. So, seek knowledge, for surely, it is a conducive mean between you and Allah, Most High. And surely, seeking of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim."

Translation: Mulla Asgharali M M Jaffer — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.