What is meant by the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim man and Muslim woman"? Does it refer to religious knowledge, worldly knowledge, or both?

The Hadith scholars differed regarding the authenticity of the Hadith, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." The preponderant opinion is that it is sahih (authentic) due to external corroborating evidence. The wording "upon every Muslim" includes both males and females.

Scholars have differed concerning the intended meaning of the obligatory knowledge. The best opinion stated is that it refers to what is indispensable for a Muslim, such as knowing Allah Almighty, the prophethood of His messengers, and how to pray, and so forth. This is an individual obligation (fard ayn). This includes knowledge of individual obligations such as knowing Allah and His Oneness, knowing the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and learning about ablution (wudu'), ritual bathing (ghusl), and prayer.

As for communal obligations (fard kifayah) (such as washing the deceased and praying over them), they are not obligatory upon every Muslim. Similarly, whoever works in a specific field, like trade, must learn the rulings pertaining to their work, whereas learning sciences like medicine, economics, and engineering is not obligatory upon every Muslim; rather, it suffices for some to learn them.