04-14-2003, 06:38 AM
On the authority of Masruq (may Allah be pleased with him) who reported: We visited `Abdullah bin Mas`ud and he said to us:
O people! That who has knowledge of any matter may convey it to others. And that who has not knowledge of it, should say: Allah knows best. It is a sign of knowledge that a man who has no knowledge of a matter should say: Allah knows best. Allah said to His Messenger (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): Say: No reward do I ask of you for (Qur'an), nor am I a Pretender.
(Reported by Al-Bukhari)
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Lessons Deduced:
- This hadith warns against overdoing in asking about anything. One should not say or give a legal judgment unless he is sure of the answer.
- It does not detract from a knowledgeable person to be ignorant of some matters, and he should not be afraid to declare his lack of knowledge about that particular question.
- One should follow the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and avoid excess altogether.