In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

May Allah''s peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad, his folk, companions, and followers

It is true that seeking knowledge has greater reward than supererogatory worship. The scholars from the early and late generations generally agree on this. The reason behind this is that reward is to the extent of benefit, and the benefit of seeking knowledge is greater and wider (for the individual and others).

However, the condition for reward is sincerity, and the point of knowledge is action. Without a modicum of spiritual works, a seeker of knowledge will not have the sincerity to benefit from their knowledge, and will find a lack of true success (tawfiq) and blessing (Baraka) in their knowledge -- and, consequently, the benefit of their knowledge (even if vast) will be limited. Likewise, the Qur''an and Sunna censure those who have knowledge but don''t act upon it. How can one honestly tell people about the virtues of supererogatory actions and practices without acting upon them, even partially?

The following answers relate to your question:

Is Knowledge Better or Action?

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1867&CATE=131 - http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1867& CATE=131

Worship or Seeking Knowledge

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=850&CATE=3 - http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=850&C ATE=3

Important Basics: Intentions, Sustaining them, Prophetic Guidance, Asking, and Learning

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=2034&CATE=104 - http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=2034& CATE=104

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Faraz Rabbani