The Method of Seeking Religious Knowledge

Question:
Shaykh Salih, is it sufficient for a student to acquire knowledge through reading from legal books, the research papers that are written, and other things from which he benefits in his life? And what do you advise the student of knowledge to do?

Answer:
We advise the student of knowledge that if he is in a formal study program, he should pay attention to his prescribed lessons and receive their explanation from the teachers. And if he is not in a formal study program, he should go to a scholar he trusts in his knowledge and religion, seek knowledge from him, and read to him. As for acquiring knowledge from books, this is a mistake and this is misguidance. There is no harm in benefiting from books, but relying on this as learning is a mistake; this is not learning. Books are merely a tool; one must have someone to train you on them and teach you how to use this tool. So books alone are not sufficient, nor are research papers. Rather, you benefit from these things, but you do not consider this to be learning; rather, you consider this to be benefiting and provisioning yourself from the benefit only. Yes.