Fatwa

Learning Deen through YouTube

Question

I am suffering from a dilemma about learning about islam right now. I have been learning about islam through youtube for years now. the youtube channel that is very reliable about it’s information.

the problem I am facing now is that there are a lot of allegations made about many sheikhs that I watch or watched in the past. everybody is making allegations about everybody. (not the person I watch, he is very reliable and doesn’t have any allegations about him). but now I am very afraid about learning anything about islam from someone in general because of all of these disputes. I have stopped gaining knowledge and I want to start gaining knowledge again, I am afraid to do anything because this.

let me give one example. there’s an allegation about ibn taimyaa that he belived that hellfire is not forever. ( I found out that he later changed his opinion). this is just an example.

so what should I do in this situation? I feel so afraid to trust anyone about knowledge. I get islamic videos in youtube, but I get a burning sensation in my throat to watch it due to all these disputes.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Knowledge (ilm) does not come until one makes real sacrifice to obtain it. Part of that sacrifice is to seek an actual teacher and spend time under his tutelage to learn the basics which will then allow one to navigate through the world. Jumping onto YouTube bypasses this crucial step resulting in confusion instead of guidance.

Therefore, seek out a reliable well-known Aalim or madrassa in your locality and then spend time to learn the basics. Once that is done, then you may engage with others.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Bilal Pandor

Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad Patel

Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia

www.daruliftaazambia.com