Is it possible to seek knowledge by using tapes?
Question

                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.