Hadith: The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like my superiority over the lowest among you

عن أبي أمامة الباهلي رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «فضل العالم على العابد كفضلي على أدناكم»، ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : «إن الله وملائكته وأهل السماوات والأرض حتى النملة في جحرها وحتى الحوت ليصلون على معلمي الناس الخير».
[حسن لغيره] - [رواه الترمذي، وعنده: "والأرضين" بدل "والأرض"، وكذا: "معلم" بدل "معلمي"]

Abu Umāmah al-Bāhili (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like my superiority over the lowest among you." Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole, and even the fish, invoke blessings upon those who teach people goodness."
Hasan/Sound by virtue of corroborating evidence. - [At-Tirmidhi]

Explanation

This Hadīth is meant to show the superiority of knowledge and religious scholars, along with performing the obligatory acts of worship and as much voluntary acts as one can easily do, over the worshiper, i.e. the one who is completely devoted to worship. "c2">“Like my superiority over the lowest among you”, meaning: the scholar’s honor compared to that of the worshiper is like the Prophet’s honor compared to the lowest among the Companions in honor and status. In fact, this Prophetic statement was addressed to the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Thereafter, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "c2">“Indeed, Allah, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth”, meaning: all those who inhabit the earth, including the human beings, Jinn, and all species of animals. "Even the ant in its hole", meaning: the hole where it resides. "c2">“And even the fish, invoke blessings upon those who teach people goodness.” Goodness here refers to religious knowledge that leads to salvation in the worldly life and the Hereafter. When Allah, the Almighty, invokes blessings upon His slave, this means He praises him among His close angels. Invocation of blessings by the angels, on the other hand, means asking for forgiveness. Indeed, there is no rank higher than the one occupied by a person for whom the angels and all created beings engage in supplication and forgiveness-seeking until the Day of Judgment. Hence, his reward does not stop with his demise.