65/5.12. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4621 — Avoid Harmful Questions
Allah's Statement: "...Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble..." (V.5:101)
Hadith About Avoiding Harmful Questions in Islam
Sahih Bukhari : 4621
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4621
حَدَّثَنَا مُنْذِرُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْجَارُودِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خُطْبَةً مَا سَمِعْتُ مِثْلَهَا قَطُّ، قَالَ " لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا أَعْلَمُ لَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلاً وَلَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا ". قَالَ فَغَطَّى أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وُجُوهَهُمْ لَهُمْ خَنِينٌ، فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مَنْ أَبِي قَالَ فُلاَنٌ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ {لاَ تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِنْ تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ}. رَوَاهُ النَّضْرُ وَرَوْحُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ.
Anas Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) delivered a sermon the like of which I had never heard before. He said, "If you but knew what I know then you would have laughed little and wept much." On hearing that, the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) covered their faces and the sound of their weeping was heard. A man said, "Who is my father?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "So-and-so."So this Verse was revealed: "Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble." (5.101)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4621In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 143USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 145
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4621
This hadith about asking questions in Islam teaches care, respect, and fear of Allah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave a sermon that deeply moved the Companions. He said that if they knew what he knew, they would laugh little and weep much. They covered their faces and cried. Then a man asked, “Who is my father?” The answer was given, and the verse was revealed: do not ask about things which, if made clear, may cause you trouble. The focus here is not against sincere learning. The hadith warns against questions that are not needed, that expose painful matters, or that come at the wrong time. Useful questions help faith. Harmful questions may bring distress.
What we learn from this hadith
- Not every question is helpful or wise to ask.
- The knowledge of the Hereafter should make the heart serious and humble.
- The Companions were deeply affected by the Prophet’s warning.
- A believer should seek useful knowledge with respect and care.
