Shaikh Ibn Bāz
said:
Seeking
knowledge is a kind of Jihād, and it is obligatory… It is upon [one] to study
and gain understanding in the religion, and it is better and takes precedence
over Jihād, since it [seeking knowledge] is obligatory.
It
is upon him to take steps to gain understanding in the religion, while Jihād
[when it exists] is a commendable [act], a community obligation, [such that] if
some [Muslims] stood up [to the task], everyone else would be relieved [of it].
But
a person’s seeking knowledge is a matter that is obligatory upon him [as an
individual] so that he gain understanding of his [own] religion…
Translated
by Mikail ibn Mahboob Ariff
Source:
alifta.com, vol. 24, p. 75. http://goo.gl/Uz21MM
