Some seekers of knowledge content themselves with listening to tapes of the scholars giving their lessons. Is this sufficient for gaining knowledge? Can they be considered to be seekers of knowledge? Will that affect their belief?
Praise be to Allah.
Undoubtedly these tapes spare them the need to be present
with the scholars if they cannot be present, but being present with
the scholars is preferable, and is better for the purpose of understanding
and discussing. But if they cannot be present then this is good enough.
But can they be seekers of knowledge when they are restricted
to this?
We say, yes, that is possible if a person strives hard,
just as it is possible for man to become a scholar by taking knowledge
from books. But the difference between taking knowledge from books and
tapes, and learning directly from the scholars, is that learning directly
from the scholars is a more effective way of gaining knowledge, because
it is an easy way which enables one to discuss matters, unlike listening
or reading, which needs a great deal of care in order to gather and
gain knowledge.
With regard to the question, will limiting oneself to
tapes have any effect on their belief?
Our
response is: yes, it will have an effect on their belief if they listen
to tapes of bid’ah and follow them. But if they listen to tapes of trustworthy
scholars, that will not have any effect on their belief, rather it will
increase them in faith and steadfastness, and in following the correct
belief.