بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind

Short Answer

No, it is not sufficient to learn Islam through Q&A only.

Explanation

فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ

Ask the people of remembrance if you do not know. (Surah al-Nahl, 43).

Although asking questions is a significant means of learning, it is important to understand that it is considered to be supplementary learning and cannot replace formal studies.

For those study the Islamic sciences this method is useful because it clarifies issues they have learned and also helps them contextualise learning.

However, for people who have not studied, may misunderstand answers because they do not understand the framework in which the answer is given. They may have limited knowledge of related issues which contextualise the answer. As such, they may be unaware of conditions and restrictions applied to the answer. Therefore, a person cannot rely on learning Islam through Q&A only and must study Islam.

Concluding Remarks

Such individuals need to understand that Q&A can be a useful insight into religious issues but it cannot replace formal learning. Alhamdulillah, there are many opportunities to learn in our time, every Muslim should engage in some means of studying the Islamic sciences. Whether it is online or in person, as this is of fundamental importance to one’s religious well being to complete a study of the obligatory sciences  in Islam.

طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ

The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.’ (Ibn Maja 224, Hasan).

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

–Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (04.01.21)