Learning Worldly Sciences Other Than Religious Sciences

The Shaykh:
Yes, this is an important question. First, a person’s primary concern must be the matters of his religion; that is the foundation. He must learn the amount of knowledge that is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) for every Muslim regarding the acts of worship without which his religion cannot be sound. After that come the matters of specialization. Each person specializes in what he finds himself prepared for: specialization in military sciences, engineering sciences, or industrial sciences benefits the Muslims. Medicine also benefits the Muslims, but only after he has acquired the obligatory amount of knowledge that establishes his religion. This is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) among the Muslims. As for specialization, each person specializes in what he sees as his area of distinction. Some people have a talent in military affairs. Some have a talent in engineering and industry. Some have a talent in medicine. This benefits the Muslims and makes them independent of the disbelievers. So if the Muslims were to direct themselves, each to what benefits the Muslims in their religion and their worldly affairs, that would be good.
Learning worldly sciences that serve the Muslim society and that people need is considered an act of worship. But this is after learning the matters of religion: the necessary amount of knowledge that no one is excused for being ignorant of.