knowledge...a pearl of wisdom

"In 2004 a third (33 per cent) of Muslims of working age in Great Britain had
no qualifications – the highest proportion for any religious group. They were
also the least likely to have degrees or equivalent qualifications (12 per
cent). "

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=963

During the year 1400, the much revered Islamic Empire existed. The empire of faith, the empire of light. Where as Europeans were engrossed in duets over trivial issues, Muslims a few thousand miles down the road were engrossed in study of the sciences. While in Europe, public baths, soap and running water was unheard of, their neighbours in Spain were enjoying all of that. While those under Muslim rule enjoyed a literate, cultured and safe life, their counterparts in the non-Muslim world were suffering the wrath of illiteracy. While libraries in the Muslim cities were bustling with hundreds of books, Europeans churches would be lucky to even have more than 2 books. Street lamps, paper and advanced sciences were all over the Muslim world – paper which came from the Chinese, and advanced sciences that has the Greeks, Indians and other ancient civilisations to thank for. Our architecture was expansive, complex and beautiful, while those in the non-Muslim world were still producing wooden huts.

WHY STUDY?...its an obligation for all Muslims

The first words revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) were: Read: in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from something which clings. Read and your Lord is the most generous. Who taught with pen. Taught man what he knew not..." (96:1-5)

Allah also says in the Quran: And certainly We gave knowledge to Dawood and Sulaiman, and they both said: Praise be to Allah, Who has made us to excel many of His believing servants. And Sulaiman was Dawood's heir, and he said: O men! we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given all things; most surely this is manifest grace. (27:15-16)

"and say: `My Lord! Increase me in knowledge" [Quran, 20:114]

“It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allaah.” (Faatir 35: 28)

"Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge." Surah Al-Mujadilah, (Verse 11)

Sayings of the Prophet Peace and blessings upon him

"If Allah wants good for someone, He helps him learn the deen." (Bukhari)

"When a man dies, all his deeds come to an end except for three — an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge or a righteous child who will pray for him." (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah(PBUH) said, "He who does not acquire knowledge with the sole intention of seeking the Pleasure of Allah but for worldly gain, will not smell the fragrance of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection.''
[Abu Dawud].

Quotes from scholars

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah[2]- rahimahullaah - said:
"There are six stages to knowledge:
Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner.
Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively.
Thirdly: Understanding well.
Fourthly: Memorising.
Fifthly: Teaching.
Sixthly- and it is its fruit: Acting upon the knowledge and keeping to its limits."

Poem by Abu Hanifa: Whoever strives for knowledge for the life to come obtains great gain in righteousness. But he is in utter loss who seeks [knowledge] to obtain an advantage over people!

"Indeed our words remain dead until we die in their cause, then they become alive to remain amongst the living." - Sayyid Qutb

Seeking knowledge at an Young age is like engraving on a stone.- Hasan al-Basri

Seeking knowledge
Books are key to wisdom; You should try to obtain as many of the books you need as you can, because they are the tools of learning. Do not make getting and keeping a lot of them (without benefiting from them) the only share of knowledge that you have, and collecting them the only share of understanding that you have. You also have to use and benefit from them as much as you can.

However, I understand that books are not the only way to aquire knowledge; strive to choose righteous friends who are preoccupied with seeking knowledge and are of a good nature, who can help you in achieving your aim, add to the benefits you have already gained, encourage you to seek more knowledge and stop you from feeling bored and tired; friends who are religiously-committed, trustworthy and of good character, who are sincere towards Allah and who are not merely messing about.

The Prophet (pbuh) said that seeking knowledge is a way leading to Paradise. He said: "Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allaah will make a path to Paradise easy for him." (Al-Bukhaari)