How Should a Working Muslim Study Fiqh Without Direct Access to a Scholar?
Question: As salamu Alaykum I am a working man with family responsibilities. I work in an office, and although I have some free time during the day, I am unable to travel or dedicate myself to full-time study. By the grace of Allah, I accepted the Salafi methodology about two years ago. However, since then, I have not met any Salafi scholar or even a Salafi student of knowledge in my area from whom I can learn directly. I have studied some basic books in ʿAqīdah and now I wish to begin studying Fiqh properly and build a strong foundation in it. I have a strong desire to seek knowledge, but I often hear scholars warning against seeking knowledge without a teacher. Unfortunately, studying under a teacher is currently difficult for me due to my work and financial circumstances. My question is: What should a person in my situation do? Is it permissible for me to continue studying Fiqh through books and recorded lessons while I do not have direct access to a teacher?
Summary:
Whoever is sincere in seeking knowledge, but is prevented from regularly accompanying the scholars because of work, financial constraints, or distance, should not abandon seeking knowledge. Rather, he should strive according to his ability by reading reliable books, listening to the lessons of trustworthy scholars, and, if possible, following a shaykh remotely. He should ask the people of knowledge about matters he does not understand, not rely solely upon his own understanding, and not put himself forward to teach or issue fatwas before becoming qualified.
Answer:
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all of his Companions.
What you have mentioned regarding your eagerness to seek knowledge while carrying the responsibilities of work and family is the situation of many Muslims. This should not become a reason for abandoning learning or despairing of it, for Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.
Allah has made seeking knowledge among the greatest acts of worship. He says:
From the Qur'an:
- (Surah Muhammad 47:19)
"Know that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah."
Thus, Allah began with knowledge before speech and action.
- (Surah Al-Mujadilah 58:11)
"Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees."
- (Surah An-Nahl 16:43)
"So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know."
From the Sunnah:
- Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih MuslimIt is authentically reported from Muawiyah رضي الله عنه bin Abi Sufyan that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever Allah intends good for, He grants him understanding of the religion."
- Sahih Abi DawudIt is authentically reported from Abu al-Darda رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever travels a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise."
These texts demonstrate the virtue of seeking knowledge, and they do not restrict it to those who are free from worldly responsibilities. Rather, each person strives according to his ability. Is Having a Shaykh a Requirement? The basic principle is that knowledge should be taken from its qualified people, because scholars clarify difficult matters, correct mistakes, and regulate one's understanding. The Salaf were keen to remain in the company of scholars.
From the Scholars:
- Abdullah bin al-Mubarak رحمه الله said:
"The chain of narration is part of the religion. Were it not for the chain of narration, anyone would say whatever he wished."
- Muhammad bin Sirin رحمه الله said:
"Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so look carefully at whom you take your religion from."
It has also long been said: "Whoever's shaykh is his book, his mistakes will be greater than his correctness." However, if attending the gatherings of scholars is not possible, this does not mean that one should abandon seeking knowledge. Rather, a Muslim is required to learn according to his ability, and Allah says:
From the Qur'an:
- (Surah At-Taghabun 64:16)
"So fear Allah as much as you are able."
For this reason, many scholars would study books, travel when they were able, correspond with scholars, and ask them about matters that were unclear to them. Is It Permissible to Learn from Books and Recorded Lessons? Yes, provided that the books and lessons are from trustworthy scholars who are known for sound creed and a correct methodology, and the student progresses gradually while referring difficult matters to the people of knowledge. There is no harm in this. In fact, for many people in this era who cannot attend in person, this may be the most practical means available. However, one should realize that books and recorded lessons can never fully replace a shaykh, because the shaykh corrects mistakes, resolves uncertainties, and understands the condition of the student.
From the Scholars:
- The Statement of Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymin رحمه الله:
He was asked: "What advice do you have for someone who seeks knowledge through books without a shaykh? And which books do you recommend?" He replied: "The reality is that if there is no teacher in a person's town, then the matter is serious, because when a person reviews books on his own without having previously sought knowledge, he may misunderstand the book, rely upon his own understanding, and thereby go astray and lead others astray. Therefore, it is essential to learn from a scholar, whether directly, through his clear and well-explained books, or through his recorded lessons. As for an ordinary person simply taking a book and then saying, 'The ruling is such-and-such and such-and-such,' then this is a mistake. Perhaps one of them may travel to the Arab and Islamic lands, study in the universities, then return to his people to warn and teach them, as Allah says: 'It is not for the believers to go forth all together. Rather, let a group from every community remain behind to gain understanding of the religion and to warn their people when they return to them.' Likewise, Allah directed a group of the jinn to His Messenger ﷺ so that they could listen to the Quran, then return to their people as warners. Thus, it is good that some individuals undertake the communal obligation by studying with the scholars in the Islamic lands, then returning to teach their people.
The Ruling on Taking Knowledge from Books Without Referring to Scholars
From the Scholars:
- Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Baz رحمه الله said:
"Yes. If a person is an ordinary Muslim and does not possess the necessary tools of knowledge, nor has he studied what qualifies him to benefit properly from books, then he will not obtain the desired benefit. He may benefit to some extent if he understands Arabic, or if the books are in his own language. Just as he benefits from reading the Quran in a language he understands, he may derive some benefit. However, he will not attain the complete and great benefit except by studying with the people of knowledge..."
How Should You Begin Studying Fiqh? If you have completed a basic study of creed, then begin studying fiqh according to a single methodology, and do not move between different books at the beginning. Among the important pieces of advice are: -Choose a concise fiqh text along with the explanation of a trustworthy scholar. -Remain with the explanation of one shaykh until you complete the book. -Do not move between the differing opinions of scholars in every issue before building a proper foundation. -Memorize important definitions and legal principles. -Write down beneficial points and your questions. -Whenever something is unclear, ask the people of knowledge, even through reliable means of communication. -Set aside a fixed time each day, even if it is only thirty minutes, for a small amount done consistently is better than a great amount that is discontinued. -Do not rush into studying advanced scholarly differences before mastering the fundamentals and main chapters of fiqh. Beware of the Following: -Do not rely upon yourself in preferring one scholarly opinion over another before becoming qualified. -Do not make social media your source for acquiring knowledge. -Do not take knowledge from unknown individuals or people of innovation. -Do not become occupied with numerous refutations and debates before establishing a solid foundation of knowledge. -Do not belittle small amounts of knowledge, for knowledge is acquired gradually.
From the Sunnah:
- Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih MuslimIt is authentically reported from Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Indeed, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it away from the servants. Rather, He takes away knowledge by taking the scholars, until no scholar remains. Then people will take ignorant individuals as leaders, who will be asked and will issue fatwas without knowledge. Thus, they will go astray and lead others astray."
Practical Advice I advise you to establish a consistent program that suits your circumstances: -Review some of the Quran every day. -Listen to a daily fiqh lesson, or several lessons each week, from one shaykh. -Read a concise fiqh text together with its explanation. -Write down beneficial points and questions. -Ask the people of knowledge about matters that are unclear to you. -Attend live lessons whenever possible, even if only during holidays or from time to time. Know that many of the great scholars sought knowledge despite hardship. Neither poverty nor numerous responsibilities prevented them from continuing. Rather, they attained what they attained through patience, perseverance, and sincerity. Conclusion: Studying under a shaykh is the most complete and best path. However, if a person is unable to do so because of a legitimate excuse, he should not abandon seeking knowledge. Rather, he should continue learning from reliable books and trustworthy lessons while making every effort to ask the people of knowledge whenever something is unclear, progressing gradually, and refraining from independently weighing scholarly opinions or issuing fatwas until his knowledge has become firmly established. Whoever is sincere with Allah and exerts his utmost effort, Allah will facilitate for him the means of acquiring knowledge. Allah has promised those who seek guidance and fear Him: "As for those who are guided, He increases them in guidance and grants them their righteousness." (Surah Muhammad 47:17)
And Allah knows best.
← Back to QuestionsRelated Answers
Methodology and Preconditions for Studying the Six Books of Hadith
What are the prerequisites for a student of knowledge to begin studying the six books of Hadith and other works such as al-Muwaṭṭaʾ? Does he need to reach a certain level in the science of Hadith, grammar, morphology, principles of jurisprudence, and other sciences before studying these books?
Struggling With Hidden Sin While Loving Knowledge and Teaching Others
احسن الله إليكم شيخ I need your guidance on my situation. For the last few years I’ve been addicted to pornography and some other sins. Everything I do is in private, and in public I do not expose my sins because I fear I will be among mujahirūn. I have been put in a place where I need to give khutbah & classes to students at my university because of which people see me as someone who is righteous when in truth I’m far from that. If I don’t take that position, the students committee will bring in the people of Bidah who invite students for Mawlid and other sorts of innovation. I started memorizing Quran 2 years ago and I completed 4 ajza but due to sins I am addicted to—I stopped memorizing for almost a whole year now and I had forgotten most of what i memorized and my hard has become hard and I am unable to cry infront of Allah, and due to these sins I even sometimes delay some of my Salah and miss Fajr sometimes. At the same time, i love Ilm and people of Ilm and I want to seek Ilm— I attend the halaqah at my masjid, I am learning Arabic, I read books, I want to enrol in Islamic university— but there’s no plan I follow, I procrastinate most of the time, waste my time in things that bring no benefit—is this a trap of shaytan that is making me feel that loving Ilm is enough? What do I do when I’m in this situation? I have tried everything to stop the addiction but I’m unable to do so. بارك الله فيكم وجزاكم الله خيرا
Advice for Young Muslims Seeking Islamic Knowledge While Pursuing College and Business?
What advice would you give to a young man who is sixteen years old, striving to seek Islamic knowledge and memorize the Qur’an, while at the same time studying in college and considering work or business?
Can a Student of Knowledge Benefit from the Books of Authors Who Have Errors in Creed or Methodology?
What are the guidelines for a student of knowledge regarding benefiting from a book whose author has errors in aqidah or methodology, especially in books of fiqh? Is it a condition that we only take knowledge from those who are clearly upon the methodology of the Salaf, or is it permissible to benefit from such works with caution and certain guidelines? An example is Ibn Rushd and his book Bidayat al-Mujtahid, which is a famous book that is taught and widely benefited from.
How Should a Salafi Beginner Study Fiqh Without Becoming Confused by Scholarly Differences?
As a Salafi, how should I approach studying Fiqh, and where should I start? I have tried studying Fiqh from about three different books written by Salafi scholars. I managed to finish only the chapter of Ṣalāh, but after that I became confused. One Shaykh would say one thing, while another Shaykh would say something different. Because of these differences, I became overwhelmed and eventually stopped studying Fiqh altogether. Could you please guide me on the correct approach to studying Fiqh? Which book should I start with, and how should I progress in my studies to avoid confusion?