Islamic manners in seeking knowledge and asking questions

Shaykh Sulaymân bin Saleemillâh ar-Ruhaylee

 

Question: Explain the difference between jinn and Shaytân and Iblees to us.

Answer: How will it harm you if you don’t know that? How will it harm you if you don’t know that – and how will it benefit your faith and your actions if you know that?

From Salaf’s principles in (seeking) knowledge is asking about matters that will benefit you – and not asking out of curiosity about knowledge that does not contribute to your eemân nor your actions.

It has been narrated that a man asked Imâm Mâlik رَحِمَهُ اللهُ a question once – and he did not answer him. Another man asked him a question – and he answered. First man then repeated his question – and Imâm Mâlik did not answer him. The man said to him:

“O Abû `Abdillâh! Why won’t you answer me? Why do you answer others and not me?”

Imâm Mâlik said to him:

“I will answer you when you ask me about something that will benefit you.”

I know the answer to this question. However, I believe that it’s from good manners and teaching not to respond to it – to teach the brother who asked the question and everyone else listening to ask about matters that will benefit them.

I come from Madeenah; I teach at the Islamic University and the Prophet’s  Mosque – and I am here with you now; so ask me about matters that will benefit you. Why do you ask me about matters that won’t increase your eemân, nor harm your eemân and your actions if you remain ignorant about them?

We should embrace these manners, because they are from the manners of the righteous Salaf رِضْوَانُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِم – and Allâh knows better.