Advice for students of knowledge to focus on knowledge rather than certificates

Question:
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, is there a word for students of knowledge to be eager in seeking knowledge and conveying it, instead of being eager to obtain higher degrees for the sake of prestige in society? And what is the ruling on doing that?

Answer:
We say: Seek knowledge, whether for degrees or for anything else. The important thing is that you seek knowledge. As long as knowledge exists and teaching exists, seek knowledge and seize the opportunity. Leave these obsessions and entering into people's intentions. This one studies for the sake of the degree. This one studies for the sake of the job. It is not permissible to speak in this way.
Let people seek knowledge. A person may initially want the certificate and the job, but then Allah guides him through this knowledge, and he benefits from it, and the knowledge becomes better for him than this world and what is in it. Safwan said, Safwan ibn Umayyah said: "I embraced Islam seeking this world. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) gave him and gave him and gave him, and he said: 'I embraced Islam seeking this world, but by evening, the religion was more beloved to me than this world and what is in it.'"
So the Muslim seeks knowledge, he seeks knowledge as long as it exists, and leave us alone regarding delving into intentions. A person's intention may not be pure at the beginning, then it becomes pure afterwards, because knowledge is good and being close to it is good. Yes. And Allah the Exalted knows best, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and all his Companions.