Self-Study

Self-Study – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin said:

يمكن أن يكون الإنسان عالمًا إذا أخذ العلم من الكتب
“IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A PERSON BECOMES A SCHOLAR, BY READING BOOKS.”

Because, as he said in his ‘Fatawa (26/197):

لأن كتاب العالم هو العالم نفسه، فهو يحدثك من خلال كتابه
“THE BOOK OF THE SCHOLAR IS THE SCHOLAR HIMSELF, HE IS SPEAKING TO YOU VIA HIS BOOK!”
http://maktabasalafiya.blogspot.com/2014/04/ibnul-uthaimeen-addresses-saying.html

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Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin said:

نقول: نعم يمكن إذا اجتهد الإنسان اجتهادًا كثيرًا كما يمكن أن يكون الإنسان عالمًا إذا أخذ العلم من الكتب، لكن الفرق بين أخذ العلم من الكتب والأشرطة وبين التلقي من العلماء مباشرة، أن التلقي من العلماء مباشرة أقرب إلى حصول العلم؛ لأنه طريق سهل تمكن فيه المناقشة بخلاف المستمع أو القارئ فإنه يحتاج إلى عناء كبير في جمع أطراف العلم والحصول عليه
“We say: Yes, it is possible when a person strives with a great deal of striving, just as IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO BE A SCHOLAR WHEN HE TAKES KNOWLEDGE FROM BOOKS.
However, the difference between taking knowledge from books and cassettes and between taking directly from the scholars (in person) is that seeking knowledge directly from the scholars is closer to acquisition of knowledge because it is an easier route wherein discussion is possible, as opposed to the one who listens or reads (from the scholars), for he requires (to go through) a great deal of hardship in bringing together the various aspects of knowledge and acquiring it.”

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Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin also said:

وأما قوله: “من كان دليله كتابه فخطؤه أكثر من صوابه” ، فهذا ليس صحيحًا على إطلاقه ، ولا فاسدًا على إطلاقه :
أما الإنسان الذي يأخذ العلم من أيّ كتاب يراه فلا شك أنه يخطئ كثيرًا .
وأما الذي يعتمد في تعلُّمه على كتب رجال معروفين بالثقة والأمانة والعلم ، فإن هذا لا يكثر خطؤه ، بل قد يكون مصيبًا في أكثر ما يقول
“As for the saying:
“Whosoever’s guide is his book then his error(s) will be more than what he is correct in” – then this is not totally correct and nor totally incorrect.
As for the person who takes knowledge from any book he sees, then no doubt he will err abundantly.
AND AS FOR THE ONE WHO IN HIS LEARNING DEPENDS UPON THE BOOKS OF MEN KNOWN FOR TRUSTWORTHINESS, RELIABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE THEN THIS PERSON’S ERRORS WILL NOT BE MANY AND HE WILL BE CORRECT IN THE MAJORITY OF WHAT HE SAYS.”

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Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin was asked:

بعض طلبة العلم يكتفون بسماع أشرطة العلماء من خلال دروسهم فهل تكفي في تلقي العلم؟ وهل يعتبرون طلاب علم؟ وهل يؤثر في معتقدهم؟
“Some seekers of knowledge suffice with listenting to the cassettes of the Scholars in the course of their studies (lessons), so is this sufficient for acquiring knowledge? And are they considered students of knowledge? And does this have an effect upon their belief?”
He answered:
لا شك أن هذه الأشرطة تكفيهم عن الحضور إلى أهل العلم إذا كان لا يمكنهم الحضور، وإلا فإن الحضور إلى العلماء أفضل وأحسن وأقرب للفهم والمناقشة، لكن إذا لم يمكنهم الحضور فهذا يكفيهم.
“THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE CASSETTES WILL SUFFICE THEM FROM BEING PRESENT (DIRECTLY) WITH THE PEOPLE OF KNOWLEDGE when it is not possible for them to attend.
Otherwise, attending with the Scholars is superior, better and is closer to (gaining) understanding and (being able to) discuss (matters). However, when they are not able to attend, then this suffices them.”
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/pdziw-is-tazkiyah-or-graduation-required-before-one-teaches-and-gives-dawah-part-5.cfm