Is it permissible for a Muslim to invoke destruction or lack of success upon his Muslim brother due to a dispute between them?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, is it permissible for a Muslim to invoke destruction or lack of success upon his Muslim brother due to a dispute between them?
The Shaykh : Yes. However, if this dispute is severe to the point where it involves defaming his brother in his religion, for example, or his honor, or something similar, then there is no harm in invoking a harsh prayer against him, as Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) did with the man who insulted him in the presence of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). He invoked that Allah blind his sight, prolong his life, and expose him to trials, may Allah protect us from that. But if it is a minor matter, he should not invoke against him except to the extent of his injustice only.
The questioner : Your Eminence, may Allah preserve you, does listening to scientific tapes suffice?
The Shaykh : Is it?
The questioner : Does listening to scientific lectures suffice in place of traveling in the pursuit of knowledge?
The Shaykh : It does not suffice in place of traveling. Listening to tapes does not suffice in place of traveling in the pursuit of knowledge. Traveling in the pursuit of knowledge is better because the student sits with the scholar and receives from him directly. Then, perhaps a difficulty or a need for review arises, which he would not get if he merely listened to the tapes. But there is no doubt that if he listens to the tapes, he will benefit; they are better than abandoning the study. That is, the tapes are better than abandoning it. But if he travels in the pursuit of knowledge, it is better and more beneficial.
The Shaykh : Yes. However, if this dispute is severe to the point where it involves defaming his brother in his religion, for example, or his honor, or something similar, then there is no harm in invoking a harsh prayer against him, as Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) did with the man who insulted him in the presence of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). He invoked that Allah blind his sight, prolong his life, and expose him to trials, may Allah protect us from that. But if it is a minor matter, he should not invoke against him except to the extent of his injustice only.
The questioner : Your Eminence, may Allah preserve you, does listening to scientific tapes suffice?
The Shaykh : Is it?
The questioner : Does listening to scientific lectures suffice in place of traveling in the pursuit of knowledge?
The Shaykh : It does not suffice in place of traveling. Listening to tapes does not suffice in place of traveling in the pursuit of knowledge. Traveling in the pursuit of knowledge is better because the student sits with the scholar and receives from him directly. Then, perhaps a difficulty or a need for review arises, which he would not get if he merely listened to the tapes. But there is no doubt that if he listens to the tapes, he will benefit; they are better than abandoning the study. That is, the tapes are better than abandoning it. But if he travels in the pursuit of knowledge, it is better and more beneficial.