The Means of Seeking Knowledge and the Beginner's Starting Point

Question:
May Allah reward you. The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, what is the means of seeking knowledge, and with which books does the beginner student start?

Answer:
The means of seeking knowledge is to choose the teacher first. You choose the knowledgeable scholar from whom you will benefit, and then he chooses for you the books you will study with him. As for choosing the books before choosing the teacher, the books alone are not sufficient. Even if you choose books, they are not sufficient until you choose the teacher first. I advise everyone who is able to enroll in the religious institutes, the educational institutes, the College of Shari'ah, the College of Principles of Religion, and the College of Language, I advise students of knowledge who are able to enroll in the regular studies to enroll in them. And those who are not able to enroll should choose from the shaykhs those who have knowledge and the ability to teach, and they should ask them to teach them and to hold sessions for them.