What is the ruling on seeking Islamic knowledge?

Seeking Islamic knowledge is a communal obligation (fard kifaya), and it can become an individual obligation (fard ayn) if one's knowledge of an act of worship or transaction depends on it. Seeking knowledge is among the best deeds; indeed, it is a form of jihad in the way of Allah, especially in our current time when innovations (bid'ah) have multiplied, the ignorant dare to issue fatwas without knowledge, and disputes have spread. Therefore, we are in dire need of scholars firmly grounded in knowledge, widely informed, jurisprudents in religion, and wise in guiding people, because some students of knowledge content themselves with theoretical knowledge without considering the reform and upbringing of people, and their fatwas may lead to greater evil.