Sufficiency of Memorizing Fiqh and Hadith Texts

Question:
This questioner says: I have the desire, Shaykh, to memorize the fiqh texts, as well as the hadiths, while I am young, and then to study them and apply them to reality when I am older.

Answer:
My brother, memorization is not sufficient, even if you memorize all the texts, the authentic collections, and the musnads, and you memorize the Qur'an. Memorization is not sufficient, but it is a means to understanding, and that is by reading to the people of knowledge. You memorize and read to the people of knowledge to benefit from their knowledge. Knowledge is acquired by receiving it from its people, not by reading books alone. This harms more than it benefits. How many self-styled scholars have we seen who harmed themselves and harmed people because they did not receive knowledge from the scholars and did not take knowledge through the correct path. This is what harms people. They memorize, but they do not have fiqh. This benefits nothing, neither for the person nor for others. Yes.