How should seeking knowledge be balanced with parents’ needs?
2026-10-13
F167 · Selected fatwas
Shaykh Ibn Bāz
الشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز
Original Q&A · Full displayed answer
Essential personal religious knowledge is distinguished from additional study. The latter must be combined with meeting parents’ needs according to ability.
النص العربي
السؤال الأصلي
هل لطالب العلم أن يعصي أبويه في طلب العلم يا شيخ؟
الجواب
فيه تفصيل: هذا إذا كان فيما يجب عليه لا طاعة لمخلوق في معصية الخالق.
أما في مزيد من العلم والتوسع في العلم: يجمع بين الأمرين، لا يعصي والديه في حاجاتهما، ويطلب العلم حسب الطاقة، يجمع بين الأمرين.
أما في تعلم دينه، وما لا يسعه جهله؛ يلزمه، ويجب، وليس له طاعة أحد في ذلك إنما الطاعة في المعروف.
English translation
English rendering prepared for SalafAlSalih.com from the cited Arabic answer. Not an official translation.
Original question
May a student disobey his parents in seeking knowledge, Shaykh?
Answer
This requires a distinction. If the matter concerns what is obligatory for him, no created being is obeyed in disobedience to the Creator.
As for gaining additional knowledge and expanding his learning, he combines both duties: he does not disobey his parents concerning their needs, and he seeks knowledge according to his ability. He combines the two.
Learning his religion and what he cannot be excused for not knowing is necessary and obligatory. He may not obey anyone in preventing that: “Obedience is only in what is right.”
Source and editorial notes
Official Ibn Baz website, item 23512
الموقع الرسمي للشيخ ابن باز
Official website of Shaykh Ibn Baz
Arabic checked against the complete displayed answer on the official Ibn Baz page. Printed locator is the website’s own reference.