Hafiz Jalaal-ud-Deen Suyooti (rahimahullah) says that the ‘Ulamaa have mentioned that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had issued glad tidings in favor of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) in the following manner:

“Soon a time will come when people will travel lengthy journeys beating their camels in pursuit of ‘ilm. They will not find anyone as learned as the ‘Aalim of Madinah.”