Allaah says:
“… It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allaah…” [35:28]
Ibn Katheer said:
“The only ones who truly fear Allaah are the scholars – those who are knowledgeable about Him. This is because every time one’s knowledge and awareness of The Most Great, The All-Able, The All-Knowing, The One ascribed with Perfect Attributes and described by Perfect Names becomes complete and whole, one’s fear of Him becomes greater and increased.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/553]
Al-Bayhaqee said:
“Allaah clarifies that (true) fear of Him can only be achieved through knowledge.” [Shu’ab Al-Eemaan, 5/323]
A man said to Ash-Sha’abee:
“Who is a scholar?”
He replied:
“The scholar is the one who has fear of Allaah.”
‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood said:
“Knowledge is sufficiency for the fear of Allaah and ignorance is a sufficiency for delusion and being mislead.” [Az-Zuhd of Ibn Mubaarak, p.15]
‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood also said:
“Knowledge is not obtaining an abundance of hadeeth, but rather knowledge is obtaining khashyah (fear of Allaah).” [Al-Hilyah, 1/131]
‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood said:
“It is sufficient amount of knowledge for a person that he has fear of Allaah and it is sufficient amount of ignorance for a person that he is amazed by his knowledge.” [Ad-Daarimee, 1/346]
‘Abdul A’laa At-Taymee said:
“Whoever is given knowledge and it does not cause him to weep, then it is appropriate (to say) that he has not been given knowledge that benefits him…” [Ad-Daarimee, 299]
‘Abdullaah Ibn AhmAd Ibn Hanbal said to his father:
“Did Ma’roof have any knowledge?”
Imaam Ahmad replied:
“My son, he had the basis of all knowledge and that is the fear of Allaah.” [Siyar Al-A’laam An-Nubulaa’, 1/339]
Hudhaifah (ra) said:
It is sufficient knowledge for a man that he fears Allaah. And it is a sufficient lie that he says, ‘I seek forgiveness and repent to Him,‘ yet he goes back to doing it.” [Kitaab Al-‘Ilm, of An-Nisaa’ee #14]