The scholar, Shaykh Al-Uthaymīn (رحمه الله) said:
"This is a glad tiding for the students of knowledge: If one intends to seek knowledge, desiring by way of it to benefit others, to defend the sunnah of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and to spread the religion of Allāh upon the Earth, but this has not been decreed for him. For example, if he were to die during his pursuit of knowledge, then indeed the reward of what he intended and sought after will be written for him."
-Explanation of Al-Aqīdah Al-Wasitiyyah (2/148)