Is one who is occupied with work and unable to seek knowledge, and who is in remote areas, sufficient with audio tapes to be considered a student of knowledge?
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The questioner : The honorable Shaykh (may Allah preserve you): There are some young men who have found the path of guidance to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and desire to seek knowledge. They explicitly wish to attend the Shaykhs so that they can read books on creed to them and have them explained, as well as books on hadith. However, they are unable to do so due to their work circumstances, and they are in a remote area. But they listen to audio tapes. Do the tapes suffice them instead of attending the scholars? And will they be considered students of knowledge like others, or not? (May Allah preserve you).
The Shaykh : As for whether it suffices them, there is no doubt that it suffices them instead of attending the people of knowledge if they are unable to attend. Otherwise, attending the scholars is better, more excellent, and closer to understanding and discussion. But if they are unable to do so, this serves as a substitute for it out of necessity.
Then, can they be students of knowledge while restricting themselves to this? We say: Yes, it is possible if a person exerts great effort. It is possible for him to be a scholar if he takes knowledge from books. But the difference between taking knowledge from books and tapes and receiving it directly from scholars is that receiving it directly from scholars is closer to attaining knowledge, because it is an easy path in which discussion is possible. Unlike the listener or reader, who needs great effort in gathering the details of knowledge and obtaining it.
The questioner : And does it affect their creed, or is there a deficiency or something like that, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : It affects their creed if they are listening to tapes of religious innovation and following them. But if they are listening to tapes from trusted scholars, it does not affect their creed.
And Brother Musa is now indicating that the time has ended, as the call to prayer has been made. We ask the brothers' forgiveness for those whose questions were not accommodated due to lack of time, and we look forward to next Thursday, if Allah wills (Glorified and Exalted is He).
And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The Shaykh : As for whether it suffices them, there is no doubt that it suffices them instead of attending the people of knowledge if they are unable to attend. Otherwise, attending the scholars is better, more excellent, and closer to understanding and discussion. But if they are unable to do so, this serves as a substitute for it out of necessity.
Then, can they be students of knowledge while restricting themselves to this? We say: Yes, it is possible if a person exerts great effort. It is possible for him to be a scholar if he takes knowledge from books. But the difference between taking knowledge from books and tapes and receiving it directly from scholars is that receiving it directly from scholars is closer to attaining knowledge, because it is an easy path in which discussion is possible. Unlike the listener or reader, who needs great effort in gathering the details of knowledge and obtaining it.
The questioner : And does it affect their creed, or is there a deficiency or something like that, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : It affects their creed if they are listening to tapes of religious innovation and following them. But if they are listening to tapes from trusted scholars, it does not affect their creed.
And Brother Musa is now indicating that the time has ended, as the call to prayer has been made. We ask the brothers' forgiveness for those whose questions were not accommodated due to lack of time, and we look forward to next Thursday, if Allah wills (Glorified and Exalted is He).
And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.