Whoever revered the scholars of Hadeeth will be held in high regard by the Messenger (S) [on the Day of Resurrection] and whoever despised them, he will be low in the estimation of the Messenger (S), because the scholars of Hadeeth are the scribes of the Messenger of Allah (S).

—Imām Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal

(Read on pg 47, Salahuddin Ali Abdul Mawjood, The Biography of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. Darussalam. Riyadh: 2006.)