SHAFAQNA – It is narrated that a man asked the Prophet of Islam (PBUH): O’ the Prophet of Allah (SWT), whenever there is a funeral procession, and at the same time a scientific gathering is also held; which one do you prefer? The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) replied: If there are others to take part in funeral procession, and bury the deceased, certainly being present in scientific gathering is better than thousand funeral ceremonies, and thousand times vising the ill persons, and thousand nights of prayers, and thousand days of fasting, and paying thousand dirhams (Sadaqah) to poor, and thousand times performing Hajj except the Wajib Hajj, and taking part in thousand wars, except the Wajib war which you do Jihad in the way of God with your wealth and life [1].
[1] Rowdhatul Wa’edheen, Page 12.