What is incumbent upon a Muslim in the pursuit of worldly and religious knowledge, and what is the proper intention for it in order to avoid falling into the unlawful, especially upon completing one's studies?

Seeking knowledge is one of the greatest acts of proximity to Allah and is divided into two types: Fard Ayn (individual obligation) and Fard Kifayah (communal obligation). Fard Ayn is what an individual needs in their dealings with their Lord or with people (such as creed, and the rulings of basic acts of worship and transactions). Fard Kifayah is specialization in advanced Islamic sciences and beneficial worldly sciences (such as medicine and engineering).

One must purify their intention in seeking knowledge for the sake of Allah the Almighty, intending to remove ignorance from oneself and to worship Him with insight, while maintaining humility and guarding against showing off and seeking reputation.

As for seeking worldly sciences, the intention should be to serve society and worship Allah the Almighty, so that one may gain reward in this world and the hereafter. A good intention transforms permissible actions into acts of obedience.