One of the distinctive features of Islam is its emphasis on knowledge. The Quran and the Islamic tradition (sunnah) invite Muslims to seek and acquire knowledge and wisdom and to hold men of knowledge in high esteem. In the Quran the word al-Ilm, knowledge, and its derivatives are used more than 780 times. The first few verses that were revealed to our  Prophet (SAW) mention the importance of reading, pen, and teaching for human beings: Read: in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from something which clings. Read and your Lord is the most generous. Who taught with pen. Taught man what he knew not..." (96:1-5)