When Prophet Adam (Alayhis Salaam) was created, he was exalted from all the other creations of Allah on the basis of Knowledge.
In Surat Al-Baqarah [2:31-34] Allah says:
And He taught Adam the names – all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful. They said, Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise. He said, “O Adam, inform them of their names.” And when he had informed them of their names, He said, Did I not tell you that I know the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed. And [mention] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam”; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.
The first revelation ayah was the first five verses of Surah (chapter) Al-Alaq:
“Iqra bismi rabbikalla dhi khalaq. Khalaqal insana min alaq. Iqra WA rabbukal akram. Alladhi ‘allama bil qalam. ‘Allamal insana malam ya’lam, “
Quran is the last Holy book till the end of Humanity, that was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi WA Sallam) and the first addressed to mankind is “Iqra” that urges man to Read.which means:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot. Read, for your Lord is most Generous, Who teaches by means of the pen, teaches man what he does not know.”
(96: 1-5).
Islam urges the muslim to research, ponder and investigate.
“In the creation of the heavens and the earth the alternation of the night and the day, in the ships that sail in the sea with their load…. in the rain which Allah sends down from the sky and thus revives the earth after its death; and then He spread in all kinds of animals; in the changing of the winds: in the clouds which have been left suspending between the heaven and the earth -in all these are clear signs for the people who understand”
(2:164)
“We-: shall show them Our signs in the horizons and in themselves.”
(41:53)
Then in the Quran Allah Pak clearly differentiates the two:
Even the Prophet of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) also begged for the increase in knowledge:
“O Lord, increase my knowledge!”
Surah Al-Zumr, ayah 9 reveals:
“Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?”
Surah Al-Baqarah, ayah 269 reveals:
“Allah grants wisdom to whom He pleases and to whom wisdom is granted indeed he receives an overflowing benefit.”
In a hadith Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever seeks a way to acquire knowledge Allah will make easy his way to Paradise.”
[Sahîh Muslim (2699)]
Not just that but Islam makes getting education a compulsion:
“Seeking knowledge is compulsory for every man and woman”
It is also related in a Hadith that when a person dies, his deeds are cut off, except the reward of three deeds:
(1) sadaqah-e-jaariyah (continuous charity – example endowing a property, building, well, or musjid in the name of Allah),
(2) knowledge which benefits the people (for example by teaching, writing books, etc.),
(3) a pious child that makes duas for the deceased.
[Muslim]