How a Woman Receives Religious Knowledge

Question:
The questioner (M. M.) from Hadramaut, Yemen, says in this question: How can a girl receive true religious knowledge? Is it sufficient for a woman to receive religious knowledge at home by listening to some tapes and reading books, especially when there are few scholars in her country? Please guide us in this matter, O Shaykh.

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance. As for what follows:
Knowledge is received through many means. Among these is receiving it by listening to the radio, such as the "Light on the Path" program, the Quran radio, lectures, Friday sermons, and other sermons by scholars of knowledge, insight, and sound creed. These are means of receiving knowledge for women and others. A person listens at home, and a woman listens at home to the Noble Quran radio from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It contains much knowledge and many lectures, and it has the "Light on the Path" program, which contains much good and abundant knowledge.
There is another general means, which is caring for the Noble Quran. It is the best, greatest, and most beneficial of the means. Caring for the Quran, and increasing its recitation with reflection and understanding, and asking scholars about what is difficult via telephone. These are scholars known for sound creed, knowledge, virtue, and good conduct. One also reviews books of tafsir, such as the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, the tafsir of Ibn Jarir, the tafsir of al-Baghawi, and the tafsir of al-Shawkani, regarding what is difficult. A person reviews the Quran, reflects on it, and when something is difficult for him, he reviews books of tafsir or asks scholars whom he knows for their knowledge, insight, and sound creed.
There is another means, which is the circles of knowledge in the mosques. If a student of knowledge attends the circles of knowledge in the mosque, or if a woman attends the circles of knowledge from a distance, listening in suitable places where she can hear the words of the teacher and the guide in the circles of knowledge. Similarly, she listens to the Friday sermon in the mosques where Friday prayer is held. All of these are means of knowledge.
Also, asking via telephone. She asks scholars about what is difficult for her, and she strives to ask scholars known for sound creed and good reputation, so that she may ask them about what is difficult for her.
Likewise, men also ask via telephone about what is difficult for them. They attend the circles of knowledge with scholars in their own country and in other countries, even traveling to another country for the sake of seeking knowledge and understanding the religion. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith: And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The Salaf used to travel in the pursuit of knowledge; the Companions and those after them, from land to land, for the sake of seeking knowledge and understanding the religion. And with this, there must be sincerity in it, a good intention, and asking Allah for success and assistance, for He is the One who grants success and guidance.
So if the believing man and woman are sincere in seeking knowledge and understanding the religion, and each of them is sincere to Allah in that, they will find it and strive by listening to the Noble Quran radio from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the great sermons, abundant benefits, and lectures contained in it, and the "Light on the Path" program.
Also, listening to the Friday sermons that are broadcast, listening to the lectures that are broadcast, and listening to the Friday sermon in her country if the preacher is one who is trusted for his knowledge and virtue. All of this is a means, all of these are means of knowledge. We ask Allah for success for everyone. Yes.

The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence.