Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who goes out in
search of knowledge is in God’s path till he returns.” Tirmidhi and
Darimi transmitted it.
Sakhbara al-Azdi reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone
seeks knowledge, it will be an atonement for past sins.” Tirmidhi and
Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying that this is a tradition whose
isnad is weak, and that Abu Dawud the transmitter is declared to be
weak.
Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “The search for knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim, but he who commits it to
those who are unworthy of it is like one who puts necklaces of jewels,
pearls and gold on swine.” Ibn Majah transmitted it. Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman up to the word “Muslim”, saying that this
is a tradition whose text is well known but whose isnad is weak, it being
transmitted by many ways all of which are weak.
