Taking Knowledge from Tapes and Books
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
If a student of knowledge is unable to attend the Shaykh’s session—the circle— and seeks to acquire knowledge through tapes, does this amount to what the one who says: “Whoever’s Shaykh is his book, his error is more than his correctness”?
If he seeks it through tapes?
This person says: If he is unable to attend the lesson and receives knowledge from tapes, does this take the place of attendance, or is it said of it what is said of taking knowledge from books: that whoever takes his knowledge from a book, his error is more than his correctness?Answer: There are three levels: the first level, which is the highest, is to take from the mouths of the Shaykhs and attend the sessions, and this is the highest without doubt; because a person is affected by the tones of speech and the instructor’s emotion, and understands accordingly.
The second level: Tapes, tapes miss the visual aspect, but he hears the voice as it is, and this is less than seeing, but there is much good in it.
The third: The book, and this is beneficial without doubt.
So these are three ways,In the beginning, there were only two ways, which were: sitting with [the Shaykh] or the book, but now, and praise be to Allah, this middle way has become available.
And as for the saying of the one who said: If one’s knowledge is from a book, his error is more than his correctness.
So this is not correct,Meaning: its meaning is not general; because there are people who read knowledge from books and attained much good, but reading in books requires more time and also requires understanding; because the beginner student may understand a phrase contrary to what was intended, and thus go astray.
If he seeks it through tapes?
This person says: If he is unable to attend the lesson and receives knowledge from tapes, does this take the place of attendance, or is it said of it what is said of taking knowledge from books: that whoever takes his knowledge from a book, his error is more than his correctness?Answer: There are three levels: the first level, which is the highest, is to take from the mouths of the Shaykhs and attend the sessions, and this is the highest without doubt; because a person is affected by the tones of speech and the instructor’s emotion, and understands accordingly.
The second level: Tapes, tapes miss the visual aspect, but he hears the voice as it is, and this is less than seeing, but there is much good in it.
The third: The book, and this is beneficial without doubt.
So these are three ways,In the beginning, there were only two ways, which were: sitting with [the Shaykh] or the book, but now, and praise be to Allah, this middle way has become available.
And as for the saying of the one who said: If one’s knowledge is from a book, his error is more than his correctness.
So this is not correct,Meaning: its meaning is not general; because there are people who read knowledge from books and attained much good, but reading in books requires more time and also requires understanding; because the beginner student may understand a phrase contrary to what was intended, and thus go astray.