Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that a great benefit in the pursuit of علم دين (knowledge of Deen) is the acquisition of the Ridha (pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله). The person who dies in the quest of علم دين (knowledge of the Deen) attains the status of a Shaheed (martyr).
Someone saw Imām Muhammad رحمه الله in a dream; he was asked: “How did you fare?” Imām Muhammad رحمه الله responded; “When I was ushered into the Divine Presence, I was asked: ‘What do you desire?’ I said: ‘O my Rabb! Forgive me.’ The response came; ‘O Muhammad! If I had intended punishment for you, I would not have bestowed this Knowledge to you. I granted you this Knowledge for the purpose of forgiving you.'”
(SOURCE: MALFOOZAAT OF HAZRAT MOULANA ASHRAF ALI THAANWI SAHIB رحمه الله, PART 6)