Questions That Should Not Be Asked

Questions That Should Not Be Asked

by: Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford

Maulana Mohammad Sirajuddin Nadwi from United States wrote to me:
Salam Mawlana,
I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah. Some university students asked me about the difference between healthy questions and doubtful or problematic ones. Do you have any resources or writings that address this topic? Thank you, jazaka Allah khayra.

Answer:
It is essential for people to seek sound knowledge, and if they lack access or something remains unclear, they should refer to knowledgeable individuals. Asking questions that can help one gain necessary understanding and clear doubts is encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) highlighted this principle when he said, “Why did they not ask when they did not know? Indeed, the cure for ignorance is to ask.” (Sunan Abi Dawud). Thus, the remedy for ignorance lies in asking questions to seek understanding, especially in religious matters. This approach prevents a person from making rulings without proper knowledge. God emphasizes this in the Qur’an: “So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know” (Surat al-Nahl 43).
However, the Qur’an also advises believers to avoid asking questions that might lead to distress or burdensome revelations: “O you who have believed, do not ask about things which, if they are shown to you, will distress you” (Surat al-Ma’idah 101). Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) discouraged excessive questioning, excessive gossip, and wastefulness (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Scholars interpret this as a caution against asking unbeneficial questions or delving into unnecessary or obscure matters.
Al-Qurtubi relayed Ibn Abd al-Barr’s explanation that, while certain questions were once discouraged to prevent undue hardship, today we need not fear such prohibitions. Asking to learn and dispel ignorance, especially on essential religious matters, is encouraged. However, if questions are asked stubbornly or without genuine interest in understanding, they become discouraged.
Imam Shatibi identified ten specific types of questions that are discouraged in Islam:
1. Questions that bring no religious benefit — like asking, “Who is my father?” as Abdullah ibn Hudhafah did.
2. Asking after sufficient knowledge has been attained — such as the man who asked if Hajj was obligatory every year, despite knowing it was once-in-a-lifetime.
3. Asking without immediate need — especially on issues without clear rulings. The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised, “Leave me as long as I leave you,” to avoid unnecessary burden.
4. Asking tricky or complicated questions — these are often referred to as “difficult issues” and may lead to unnecessary complications.
5. Inquiring into the reasoning behind certain religious practices — especially acts of worship where the wisdom may not be apparent to everyone.
6. Pushing questions to extremes — overthinking can lead to undue hardship. For instance, someone asked if wild animals drank from a pool, to which Umar ibn al-Khattab responded not to trouble over such matters.
7. Questioning based on personal opinion against established teachings — as Malik ibn Anas explained, it is better to convey the Sunnah rather than argue about it.
8. Asking about ambiguous matters — God warns against pursuing unclear aspects of religion merely to engage in controversy.
9. Inquiring into disputes among the righteous predecessors — such questions are often divisive and provide little benefit. When asked about the Battle of Siffin, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz replied that he would not speak of matters that God had kept him away from.
10. Asking with a spirit of obstinacy or contention — the Qur’an criticizes such argumentative behaviour, calling it displeasing to God and divisive.

These ten situations reflect different degrees of prohibition: some are mildly discouraged, others are more strictly avoided. Each case requires discernment to determine when questioning is beneficial versus when it might lead to confusion or contention. In sum, the purpose of asking questions in Islam should always be to gain beneficial knowledge, dispel ignorance, and strengthen one’s understanding of the faith. (summarised from al-Muwafaqat).