Seeking knowledge in old age: Should one begin by memorizing the Qur'an or by studying the sciences of the Shari'ah?

The questioner : Regarding the seeking of knowledge, if a person begins to seek knowledge at a late age, meaning eighteen or so, is it better for him to complete the memorization of the Qur'an and then begin with the other sciences, specifically the instrumental sciences, or what? We ask for details.

The Shaykh : If the intention behind seeking knowledge is the collective obligation, meaning he has acquired the knowledge that corrects his creed, his worship, and his conduct, but he has not expanded in it, and he wants to expand, meaning he wants to undertake the knowledge that is a collective obligation and not an individual obligation, then we tell him: It is preferable for him to continue memorizing the Qur'an, because that is also a collective obligation, and for him to seek knowledge, even if he is late as mentioned in the question. Rather, such a person should observe his innate aptitude. Some students have an innate aptitude for memorization, and their innate aptitude is not for understanding the rulings of the Shari'ah, nor for mastering and preserving them. So, on the condition previously stated, if he has acquired the individual obligation of knowledge, he has the choice between seeking knowledge, even at a late age, or continuing to memorize the Qur'an and attend to it.