Is it permissible to visit Mada'in Saleh (peace be upon him) for the sake of taking a lesson?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner asks: Is it permissible to visit Mada'in Saleh for the sake of taking a lesson?

Answer:
Going there and intending to visit it, no, that is not permissible. But if you pass by it while traveling, if you pass by it without intending to visit it, and it is simply on your route, then there is nothing wrong with looking at it, on the condition that you fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and you do not enter it admiring it, thinking it is a land of civilization and cities, and praising it as the ignorant say that it is civilized and that it indicates such and such. A Muslim does not enter it in awe, but fearing Allah. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said to his Companions when they passed by it: Yes.