Whoever acquires (religious) knowledge, which is (normally) acquired to gain the Pleasure of Allah, (for the sole reason) to secure worldly comforts will not even smell the fragrance of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection (i.e., will not enter Paradise).” [Related by Abu Dawud, 3179, with a good Sanad (chain of narrators)].

 

This is a great threat for a person who has an evil intention. It is reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said:  “Whoever acquires knowledge in order to compete with the scholars or dispute with the ignorant or attract the attention of people to him will enter Hellfire.” [Related by Ibn Majah, no. 250, Introduction, Chapter on utilization of knowledge]

 

Knowledge is acquired by studying, then implementing it for Allah's sake because He has ordered it and made it a means by which the Truth is manifested. It is reported in a Sahih Hadith:  Three types of people will be admitted to the Hellfire first. Amongst them: The one who seeks knowledge or recites Qur'an not for the sake of Allah, but in order for it to be said: He is a scholar or he is a good reciter of the Qur'an. There is neither might nor power except with Allah! [Sahih Muslim 3527]