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The question

Is it permissible to say, "So-and-so narrated to us," when hearing Hadiths from Shaykhs via screen or recordings? And is it permissible to cite the isnad (chain of narration) in this case? And is it permissible to say that I am a student of so-and-so if the learning was through his tapes and books?

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Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

If someone hears a or a discourse from a shaykh via a screen or a recording, it is more appropriate for them to say: "I heard so-and-so shaykh on such-and-such tape/channel saying such-and-such." This is more precise and honest than saying: "So-and-so shaykh narrated to us," because the latter is a technical term in hadith terminology indicating direct audition in his assembly. Similarly, the claim of "discipleship" to a shaykh is usually applied to a direct student who accompanied him closely.

A student should not present an (chain of narration) for a hadith they heard from a shaykh through modern media, because they are not a muhaddith (hadith scholar) narrating hadiths with their isnad, and the hadith is usually available with its isnad in books.

Finally, listening to recorded lectures is beneficial for acquiring knowledge, but it does not substitute for sitting with shaykhs, traveling to them to attend their lessons, and learning from their manners and conduct. This is what is called "becoming their disciple."

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

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Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
27929
Added here
. This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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