The characteristics of the scholar from whom knowledge is taken, and the ruling on taking knowledge from an innovator

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, what are the characteristics of the scholar from whom one seeks knowledge? And is it valid to take knowledge from an innovator, while being cautious of his innovation?

Answer:
The scholar from whom knowledge is taken is the one who knows the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and what the people of the Sunnah and the community are upon. Is the knowledgeable jurist the one from whom knowledge is taken? Rather, it is the one who combines knowledge with piety, knowledge with scrupulousness; this is the one from whom knowledge is taken. As for the innovator, one fears that a person will be influenced by him. It is obligatory to boycott the innovator and stay away from him so that his innovation does not spread to others. The student is undoubtedly imitating the teacher; the student is a follower of the teacher. So if he learns from an innovator, he imitates him and receives the innovation from him. Therefore, one must stay away from the innovator and strive to take knowledge from the scholars of the people of the Sunnah and the community. Yes.