Question: In my land there are no Scholars nor circles of knowledge like in this land of yours. So I hope from you some advice about how to seek knowledge and is this through tapes or books? And how can I reconcile between the [different] sciences and their levels?
Answer: “It is upon a person to be eager to have in his land one who has knowledge, insight, and safety in Aqeedah in order to benefit from him. If he is not capable of that, then he should be eager [to obtain] the tapes of the Scholars in which there is much good, knowledge, and benefit in listening to their tapes and speech. Like: Shaikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz, Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen, Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan, Shaikh Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah Ala Shaikh, and other than them from the Mashaaikh who the people benefit from their tapes and knowledge. He should be eager for the likes [of these Scholars]. A person should not give preference to every tape he listens to. This is because some tapes have harm in them. If it is easy for him to [seek knowledge] with one who has knowledge in his land, then no doubt this is desired. If there is no reliable Scholar, then he should be eager to obtain tapes and beneficial books from the likes of these Scholars”.
[Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 189]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
