Is it all the more necessary for a beginner student of knowledge to learn the principles of refuting those who hold opposing views?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner asks: Is it all the more necessary for a beginner student of knowledge to learn the principles of refuting those who hold opposing views? And what do you advise a beginner student of knowledge regarding these refutations?

Answer:
A beginner student of knowledge starts with the concise texts, studying them under the guidance of scholars. He reads *Mafatih al-'Ulum* (Keys to the Sciences) under the guidance of scholars, who explain and clarify it for him. He progresses step by step and does not move on to difficult matters or things he does not understand from the outset.