طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.
Source: Bayhaqi and Ibn Majah.
طَلَبُ means seeking or pursuing; الْعِلْمِ means knowledge; فَرِيضَةٌ an obligation; and عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ “upon every Muslim.” Knowledge is presented as a responsibility, not merely a hobby.
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ is an iḍāfah phrase functioning as the subject, and فَرِيضَةٌ is its predicate. عَلَى is a preposition governing the following expression. The grammar ties the pursuit of knowledge to an obligation.
A person should learn what is needed to discharge responsibilities concerning faith, worship, dealings, and everyday life properly.