The Preference of Acquiring Books of Knowledge over Charity

The fifth question says: If I possess a sum of money through lawful means, which is better: to buy books of knowledge with it and give charity with part of the money, or to give the entire amount as charity?

Answer: If he has money and he needs books of knowledge, then books of knowledge are preferable. He should buy books of knowledge so that he can benefit from them, or if there are people in his country who need them, he should place them in a library where students of knowledge can benefit from them. So, buying books that benefit people, such as the two Sahihs, the four Sunans, al-Mughni, and other beneficial books like Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Baghawi, Tafsir Ibn Jarir, and other useful books; buying such useful books for his library, which he or his children or his brothers, the students of knowledge, need, or placing them in the mosque library or in public libraries where people return to them and benefit from them, this is preferable to charity. However, if there is no need for the library because there are books that suffice him from buying them, then if he gives them as charity to the poor among his relatives or others, that is good. This is a means of drawing near to Allah, Mighty and Majestic. But if there is a need for the books, they are more beneficial and better, because their benefit is greater. Yes.