What is the ruling and importance of studying worldly sciences?

Question:
There is a set of questions, Your Eminence, revolving around the study of worldly sciences: Are they considered beneficial study for the Muslim?

Answer:
There is no doubt that the study of worldly sciences is a required matter, and Allah the Exalted says: [Al-Anfal: 60]. So the Muslims are in need of worldly sciences so that they may use them to assist in the obedience of Allah, to become independent of what is in the hands of people, and to fight the enemies of Allah. This is while the Muslims learn geology, engineering, medicine, and other things that assist them, as well as what they invent in terms of the strength by which the enemies are fought. Everything that assists them in fighting the enemies, avoiding the harm of the enemies, and making them independent of the enemies is a required matter: [An-Nisa: 71], [Al-Anfal: 60].
So engaging in worldly sciences that benefit the Muslims, if it is for the sake of Allah, one is rewarded for it, along with its great benefit. And if he learns it for the sake of this world to benefit in his worldly life, then it is permissible and that does not harm him.
But the religious sciences are more important, so let him take his share from them, and strive to learn his religion and gain understanding of his religion. Then, along with that, he learns what benefits him in his worldly life if he is able to do so. And if he combines the two, it is good upon good. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . So if he gains understanding of his religion and benefits in his worldly life through medicine or another craft that benefits him, or things that benefit the servant in this world, then that is good upon good.
And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith, when he was asked: Which earning is the purest? He said: . And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . He was a blacksmith, he used to make armor, (peace and blessings be upon him), and he was the Prophet of Allah, making the armor that is used for protection in war, which is utilized in war. And Zakariyya was a carpenter, and he was a prophet from the prophets of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
So if he benefits from the craft of carpentry, or armor, or cannons, or missiles, or other types of weapons, then this is a great good. And with a righteous intention, he is upon a great good, and it is worship.
Likewise, it is authentic from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: . He said: And I think he said: . So the one who strives, meaning the one who works to benefit the poor, the widow, and the needy, assisting them with what they have of poor ones: daughters, sisters, and poor children or orphans for whom he strives until they become independent of what is in the hands of people, until he provides for them, is like the one who fights in the cause of Allah. This is a great matter and a great good. So the one who seeks sustenance through agriculture, trade, or industry is upon a great good.
So learning worldly sciences is a beneficial and useful matter, on the condition that it does not occupy him from the knowledge of the Hereafter and from what benefits him in the Hereafter. If he combines the two, he has combined good with good. And if his intention is righteous in the worldly sciences, it becomes worship. And if he learns it for the sake of the world, it is neither for him nor against him; he is learning something permissible, and there is no blame on him. But when his intention is righteous and he intends by this to benefit the Muslims and strengthen them against their enemy, Allah combines for him the two goods: the reward, and along with that, the benefit of what he has learned.