The ruling on following scholars' lessons via the internet and whether it counts as seeking knowledge

Question:
Your Excellency the Shaykh, may Allah bless you and make your knowledge beneficial. We ask your permission to pose some questions from the brothers. This questioner, may Allah reward you, says: Does following scholars' lessons via the internet count as seeking knowledge, given the distance?

Answer:
It does not count as seeking knowledge, but it counts as benefiting, just as you read a book or listen to a recording for the sake of benefit only. As for seeking knowledge, it requires receiving it directly and being present. Therefore, it is necessary to travel to the scholars, sit at their feet, and receive knowledge from them. As for books or tapes, you may understand something while being mistaken in your understanding, attributing to the speaker what he did not intend. However, you benefit from the tapes and from the book, but you do not rely on it as seeking knowledge; rather, it is for benefit only. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.