Is there a hadith from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: (Whoever lives in the desert is rough)? And does it imply a prohibition against living in the desert?

The questioner: Is there a hadith from the Messenger (peace be upon him) saying: ?

The Shaykh : Yes, .

The questioner: Do we understand from this hadith that there is a prohibition against living in the desert?

The Shaykh: Yes , it does not contain a prohibition in the sense of being forbidden, but rather it clarifies that the desert dweller is rough; because it is very clear that there are no circles of knowledge or scholars teaching them knowledge, and so on. So when the lands are all equal in terms of poverty from circles of knowledge, then at that time there is no difference between the city and the desert.

The questioner: Okay, and if the desert has knowledge and learning?

The Shaykh : I have already answered you.

The questioner: Yes, okay, and if this work, meaning a worker ... in this place, is he allowed to leave?

The Shaykh: Which place?

The questioner: The desert, in a place in the desert; meaning: the wilderness.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner: Is he allowed to leave in order to, for example, learn, or does this return to his own jurisprudence?

The Shaykh: As for your saying: is he allowed; I think you mean is it obligatory upon him?

The questioner: Is it obligatory upon him, yes.

The Shaykh: Ha, or is he allowed! "Allowed" is understood.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: Of course, first of all, he is allowed to do so, and it is obligatory upon him according to his situation. If he is in need of seeking knowledge and there is no scholar teaching him knowledge; then at that time we say: it is obligatory upon him.

The questioner: It is obligatory upon him to return to the city.

The Shaykh: The city.

The questioner: To learn!

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner: Is it more preferable for him than work, my Shaykh?

The Shaykh: Without doubt, in this situation.