Does the merit of a chemist and physicist equal that of a scholar of religion and jurisprudence in this world and the the Hereafter?

Learning every beneficial knowledge for a Muslim or Muslims carries a great reward, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim," and "When a human being dies, his deeds cease except for three: ... knowledge from which benefit is derived." These hadiths indicate that every permissible and useful knowledge for a human being or for Muslims is desirable and rewarded.

However, the virtue of one knowledgeable in worldly sciences is not equal to the virtue of one knowledgeable in religious sciences. Religious sciences are the best sciences absolutely, and the most deserving, the best, and the closest to Allah is the knowledge of His religion and His laws.