Ibrahim bin Adham [165 AH], who was one of the erudite people of piety from the Tābi' Al-Tābi'een of the early Salaf, stated:
مَنْ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمَ خَالِصًا لِيَنْتَفِعَ بِهِ عِبَادُ اللهِ وَيَنْفَعَ نَفْسَهُ كَانَ الْخُمُولُ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ التَّطَاوُلِ
"Whoever seeks knowledge with pure and sincere intention (ikhlās) to benefit the servants of Allah and to rectify himself, then being low-key is more beloved to himself than seeking status..."
(Shu'ub Al-Imān 1653, Imam Al-Baihaqi)
