Imām ash-Shāfi’ī رحمه الله said:
من تفقه في بطون الكتب ضيع الأحكام ومن كان شيخه كتابه كان خطؤه أكثر من صوابه
“Whomever learns from books (without a teacher) will destroy (misunderstand) the ahkām (rulings) and whomever takes his books as his shaykh, his mistakes will outnumber his understanding (what he comprehends).”
[Adāb al-Ulamā' Page # 14]
I just wanted to thank you for the great posts. I am a follower of the Hanafee Fiqh but I respect the Hanbalee for being strict on proofs. I studied in Saudi Arabia and the scholars their are Hanbalee but with great respect for all. I am really glad to see english language site about Hanbalee school.