Is the advancement of civil science and the improvement of living standards, housing, medicine, and roads considered a religious obligation, by analogy with the obligation to prepare to confront enemies to the best of one's ability?

Some err in confining the concept of preparation mentioned in the verse: (And prepare against them whatever you are able of power) to limited aspects. The truth is that preparation encompasses legitimate religious knowledge, faith-based education, medicine, economics, industry, military aspects, and other things that achieve strength and independence for Muslims. The Ummah needs specialists in all these areas. Clarifying this concept is an obligation upon scholars and reformers, and undertaking these aspects is a collective obligation (fard kifaaya); if it is not fulfilled, the sin falls upon everyone.