What is the ruling on reading the books of the Jews and Christians to know the matters they have distorted?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : May your eminence, my brother says about himself: I want to read in the book of the Christians so that I can know the matters they have distorted. What is your advice to this brother and to those like him among the young Muslims who have prioritized reading this book over memorizing the Book of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)? Please inform us, may Allah preserve you and benefit the Muslims with your knowledge?
The Shaykh : I see that it is not permissible for a person to read any misleading book from the books of the Jews, or the Christians, or the mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah), or the people of innovation, unless he has a strong foundation with which he can fortify himself. As for merely starting to read now, going to read these misleading books, who will guide him after that?!
So we advise these people to leave these books. First: fortify yourselves with the garment before you enter these misleading books. Does a person fortify himself against the flood when it comes to him by building the dams and barriers, or does he build them beforehand?
The questioner : Beforehand.
The Shaykh : Beforehand. So we say: First: fortify yourselves with knowledge of the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law), and plant it in your hearts until you are firmly established, then there is no harm in reading. This is because the Christians have doubts (shubhah) that they raise in their books. They now have radio stations calling people to Christianity, so they must read and understand the Islamic religion. Then, if they have the ability to respond to these people, they can read their books and refute them. Yes, that is correct.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : May your eminence, my brother says about himself: I want to read in the book of the Christians so that I can know the matters they have distorted. What is your advice to this brother and to those like him among the young Muslims who have prioritized reading this book over memorizing the Book of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)? Please inform us, may Allah preserve you and benefit the Muslims with your knowledge?
The Shaykh : I see that it is not permissible for a person to read any misleading book from the books of the Jews, or the Christians, or the mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah), or the people of innovation, unless he has a strong foundation with which he can fortify himself. As for merely starting to read now, going to read these misleading books, who will guide him after that?!
So we advise these people to leave these books. First: fortify yourselves with the garment before you enter these misleading books. Does a person fortify himself against the flood when it comes to him by building the dams and barriers, or does he build them beforehand?
The questioner : Beforehand.
The Shaykh : Beforehand. So we say: First: fortify yourselves with knowledge of the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law), and plant it in your hearts until you are firmly established, then there is no harm in reading. This is because the Christians have doubts (shubhah) that they raise in their books. They now have radio stations calling people to Christianity, so they must read and understand the Islamic religion. Then, if they have the ability to respond to these people, they can read their books and refute them. Yes, that is correct.