Does seeking religious knowledge in colleges and universities undermine the intention of seeking it?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
Abu Sulayman is with us on the line, please go ahead, Abu Sulayman. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace.
The Shaykh:
Peace be upon you.
The questioner:
Is it permissible to seek religious knowledge in colleges and universities for the sake of goodness in this world and the Hereafter? And if this person’s intention is sincere in seeking knowledge, is the safest and most cautious course to leave knowledge in the universities?
The Shaykh:
My brother, seek knowledge wherever you find it, in the universities and elsewhere. Do not let yourself be troubled by the whispers of Satan or the devils among humans and jinn who say, “Do not seek knowledge because you may not act upon it,” or “Do not seek knowledge because you may fall into showing off,” or “Do not seek knowledge because you want it for the sake of this world.” Seek knowledge, my brother, resolve to do so, and be patient. Knowledge is good; whatever you learn is good and guides you to righteousness and good deeds. Do not abandon seeking knowledge as long as it is possible, whether through formal study or studying with scholars in the mosques. Yes.
The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, these whispers and hesitations occur in many young people. How do we guide them on this matter?
The Shaykh:
As we mentioned, they should leave these whispers and not listen to those who discourage them from seeking knowledge or who cause these thoughts to arise in them. They should resolve to seek knowledge and correct their intention. No one can intervene between you and your intention; make your intention the best, and do not worry about what people say. Yes.
Abu Sulayman is with us on the line, please go ahead, Abu Sulayman. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace.
The Shaykh:
Peace be upon you.
The questioner:
Is it permissible to seek religious knowledge in colleges and universities for the sake of goodness in this world and the Hereafter? And if this person’s intention is sincere in seeking knowledge, is the safest and most cautious course to leave knowledge in the universities?
The Shaykh:
My brother, seek knowledge wherever you find it, in the universities and elsewhere. Do not let yourself be troubled by the whispers of Satan or the devils among humans and jinn who say, “Do not seek knowledge because you may not act upon it,” or “Do not seek knowledge because you may fall into showing off,” or “Do not seek knowledge because you want it for the sake of this world.” Seek knowledge, my brother, resolve to do so, and be patient. Knowledge is good; whatever you learn is good and guides you to righteousness and good deeds. Do not abandon seeking knowledge as long as it is possible, whether through formal study or studying with scholars in the mosques. Yes.
The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, these whispers and hesitations occur in many young people. How do we guide them on this matter?
The Shaykh:
As we mentioned, they should leave these whispers and not listen to those who discourage them from seeking knowledge or who cause these thoughts to arise in them. They should resolve to seek knowledge and correct their intention. No one can intervene between you and your intention; make your intention the best, and do not worry about what people say. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، 2080 - هل طلب العلم الشرعي في الكليات والجامعات يُخل بنية الطلب؟ - الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.