What is the response to the claim that no one studies except for the sake of certificates?

Question:
Among students of knowledge, particularly in colleges and scientific institutions, it is common to hear them say: "Knowledge has gone with its people," and that no one studies in scientific institutions except for the sake of certificates and worldly life. How should one respond to them? And what is the ruling if the intention of worldly life and the certificate is combined with the intention of seeking knowledge, in order to benefit oneself and one's community?

Answer: This statement is not correct, and it is not befitting to say this or similar things, . However, one should encourage and urge the seeking of knowledge and dedicating oneself to it, and be patient and persevere in it, and have a good opinion of students of knowledge, except for one from whom one knows otherwise.
When death approached Mu'adh - as is reported - he advised those around him to seek knowledge, and said: "Indeed, knowledge and faith are in a place where whoever seeks them finds them," meaning: their place is in the great Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), the trustworthy one. And indeed, the scholar is taken away with his knowledge, so knowledge is taken away by the death of scholars. But, by the praise of Allah, a group will remain upon the truth, victorious. For this reason, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: narrated by al-Bukhari in his Sahih.
This is what is feared: that the ignorant will advance to issue fatwas and teach, so they will go astray and lead others astray. And this statement that is said, "Knowledge has gone and nothing remains but so-and-so," is feared because it may discourage some people. However, the resolute and the discerning are not discouraged by it; rather, it drives them to seek knowledge until they fill the gap. And the understanding, sincere, and truthful person who is discerning regarding such statements is not discouraged by it; rather, he advances and strives, perseveres and learns, and hastens due to the severe need for knowledge, to fill the gap that these speakers claim: that no one remains.
The conclusion is that even if knowledge decreases and most of its people are gone, it is, praise be to Allah, that a group will remain upon the truth, victorious, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
So it is upon us to strive in seeking knowledge, and to encourage it, and to be eager to fill the gap and fulfill the obligatory duty in our country and elsewhere, acting in accordance with the Sharia'ah evidence that encourages this, and out of concern for benefiting the Muslims and teaching them. As we should encourage sincerity and truthfulness in seeking knowledge.
Whoever seeks the certificate to strengthen himself with it for conveying knowledge and calling to good has done well in that. And if he seeks wealth to strengthen himself with it, there is no harm in studying to learn and obtain the certificate by which he assists in spreading knowledge, and that people accept this knowledge from him, and that he takes the wealth that helps him in that. For were it not for Allah, the Exalted, and then wealth, many people would not be able to learn and convey the call. So wealth helps the Muslim in seeking knowledge and in fulfilling his needs and in conveying it to people. When 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was entrusted with duties, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) gave him money. He said: "Give it to someone poorer than me." So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: narrated by Muslim in his Sahih.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave to those whose hearts were to be reconciled and encouraged them until they entered the religion of Allah in groups. And if it had been forbidden, he would not have given to them. Rather, he gave to them before the conquest and after it. On the day of the conquest, he gave to some people up to one hundred camels. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the gift of one who does not fear poverty, as an encouragement to Islam and a call to it. And Allah, the Exalted, has made a right for those whose hearts are to be reconciled in zakah, and has made a right for them and for others, such as teachers and judges and other Muslims, in the public treasury. And success is from Allah.