Sharee’ah knowledge is generally a communal obligation…

Ibn Taymeeyah, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said,

‘The seeking of Sharee’ah knowledge is generally a communal obligation upon the Muslims together collectively, except for that which has been specified as an obligation for each and every individual. For example, the seeking of knowledge of what Allaah has commanded everyone in general and what He has forbidden for them.

The obtainment of that type of knowledge is considered an obligation upon every individual. As it has been narrated in the two ‘Saheeh’ collections from the Prophet, may Allaah’s praise and His salutations be upon him, that he said, {The one whom Allaah intends good for He gives him understanding of his religion.}¹ ‘

(From Majmu’a al-Fatawaa: vol. 28/80) ² 

1. This hadeeth {The one whom Allaah intends…} is found in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree: 71, 3116, 7312/ Saheeh Muslim: 1037/ Sunan Ibn Maajah: 221/ al-Muwatta Maalik: 1300, 1667/ Musnad Imaam Ahmad: 16395, 16404, and other narrations/ Musannaf Ibn Abee Shaaybah: 31792/ & Sunan al-Daramee: 224, 226/- on the authority of Mu’aweeyah. And it is found in Jaame’ al-Tirmidhee: 2645/ Musnad Imaam Ahmad: 2786/ & Sunan ad-Daaramee: 270, 2706/- on the authority of Ibn Abbaas. And it is found in Sunan Ibn Maajah: 220/ & Musannaf ‘Abdul-Razzaaq: 30851/- on the authority of Abee Hurairah. It was declared authentic by Sheikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Aadab al-Mufrad: 517, Silsilat al-Hadeeth as-Saheehah: 1194, 1195, 1196, Saheeh at-Targheeb at-Tarheeb: 67, as well as in other of his books. Sheikh Muqbil declared it authentic in al-Jaame’ al-Saheeh: narrations 9, 3123, 4650, may Allaah have mercy upon them both
2.  Translated by Abu Sukhailah Khalil Ibn-Abelahyi