The Meaning of the Hadith: The Superiority of the Scholar over the Worshipper is Like the Superiority of the Moon over the Other Stars

Question:
The questioner says: The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said . Does this mean that the scholar who only performs the obligatory acts is better than the worshipper who performs the obligatory and voluntary acts?

Answer:
Everyone has his own deed, . Among the scholars and others, everyone has his own deed. There is no doubt that the scholar who acts upon his knowledge is the best of people after the prophets; the scholar who acts upon his knowledge is among the best of people after the prophets, because he combined knowledge and action. This is his superiority over the ignorant worshipper who worships Allah and strives in worship, but has no knowledge. The scholar is better than him, like the superiority of the moon over the other stars. Why?
Because the scholar’s benefit extends to people. He teaches people good, guides them to good, teaches them, studies with them, and reminds them. As for the worshipper, his benefit is limited to himself, like a star. A star’s light is limited to itself, whereas the moon illuminates the entire universe with its light. This is like the scholar who acts upon his knowledge and calls to Allah the Exalted. This is like the moon on the night of the full moon.