Is It Recommended to Study Islamic Knowledge Through Books Independently, or Only by Listening to Scholars?
Question: As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh, Shaykh. I wanted to ask regarding seeking knowledge. Do you only recommend that students study by listening to scholars and their lessons, such as on YouTube, or is it also fine to read books like Kitāb al-Tawḥīd with the explanation of Shaykh ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Saʿdī or al-ʿAqīdah al-Wāsiṭiyyah with the explanation of Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah on my own? If reading them independently is acceptable, are there any conditions or advice you would give? Jazākum Allāhu khayran.
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.
And Allah knows best.
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