On the page from Shaykh Saalih al-Suhaymi (senior Salafi scholar and teacher at the Prophet’s Mosque) source: saaid.net, he explicitly says:
“الأصول تُؤخذ من الرجال، والفروع تُؤخذ من الكتب”
“Usool are taken from men, and furoo’ are taken from books.”
He then explains that this means:
“You can study fiqh from books after understanding the foundations, but usool—like belief, manhaj, and understanding the way of the Salaf—must be taken directly from scholars known for sound creed and knowledge.”
From Shaykh Ibn Baz, in an official fatwa titled “الواجب في طلب العلم أن يكون على أهل العلم” (source), he states:
“فالعلم لا يؤخذ من الكتب فقط، لا بد أن يؤخذ عن العلماء المعروفين بالعلم والفضل، ويُعرف عنهم صحة العقيدة وسلامة المنهج.”
“Knowledge is not taken from books alone. It must be taken from the scholars known for their knowledge, virtue, sound ‘aqeedah and correct manhaj.”
Similarly, Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“العلوم التي تتعلق بالعقيدة والمنهج لا تؤخذ من الكتب فقط، لا بد فيها من الجلوس إلى العلماء، ومعرفة طريقة أهل السنة والجماعة.”
(Source: Liqaa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, Tape 3)
“Sciences related to ‘aqeedah and manhaj are not taken from books alone. One must sit with scholars and learn the way of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa‘ah.”
From Shaykh al-Albani’s audio lecture, he clearly supports the concept, saying:
“العلم لا يُؤخذ من الكتب فقط، لا بد من أخذ العلم عن أهله، لأن الكتب لا تُصحح لك الخطأ إذا أخطأت، ولا تُرشدك إلى الصواب إذا ضللت.”
“Knowledge is not taken from books alone. It must be taken from its people (scholars), because books do not correct you when you err, nor guide you when you go astray.”
He continues to warn:
“This is especially the case in matters of ‘aqeedah and manhaj. Without a scholar, a person can misunderstand the texts and fall into innovation.”