Is the seeking of knowledge limited to only religious knowledge?

Question:
Is knowledge limited to the religious sciences, which are the words of Allah the Exalted and the words of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)? If that is the case, how do we respond to those who say that knowledge is limited to them, and that other sciences, such as chemistry and the like, must not be studied?

Answer:
Knowledge, when used in its general sense—as you heard in the main body of the lecture and in the questions—according to the scholars, the scholars of Islam, is religious knowledge: what Allah said, what His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, and what is related to that.
There is no harm in learning other beneficial sciences for the purpose of benefiting people in this world: medicine, engineering, geology, architecture, and other things that people need. There is no harm in that, and with a good intention, one is rewarded. With a good intention, one is rewarded for it; because people need doctors, engineers, accountants, construction contractors, and other things that people need, as well as geologists who know the needs of the country and the good and treasures within it.
All these sciences are required, but they are not intended when the term is used in its general sense. They are not included in His saying: [Al Imran: 18] and similar verses. No, but they fall under the encouragement to benefit Muslims and to give advice to Muslims. Religion is advice, and cooperation in righteousness and piety. They fall under general matters; because with a good intention, they become righteousness and piety, with a good intention. As for one who learns them for the sake of this world, it is permissible, and no reward is attached to it. If, along with the permissibility, he intends good: he intends to benefit people, he intends to assist the rulers in good, he intends to benefit society; then he has his good intention, and he has his reward with that good intention.