The ruling on limiting oneself to reading legal texts without attending the scholars

Question:
The questioner, Shaykh Salih, says that he likes to read from the abridged books of Islamic law, tawhid (the oneness of Allah), and other subjects. What is your opinion on that? And what is the most appropriate course of action?

Answer:
This is a good thing, his desire to read from the books of knowledge, fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and tawhid. However, this is not sufficient, and this is not seeking knowledge. Seeking knowledge is being with the scholars, reading these books under the scholars so that they explain them to him and clarify their meanings to him. As for relying solely on reading the books, this is not sufficient, because the books may contain something that is not correct, and perhaps he may understand something that is not correct. So, do not rely on reading alone. That is, seek knowledge first from the scholars, and then through reading from the books to benefit from them. Yes.