1/3. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 12b — Asking with Need
Asking about the pillars of Islam
Hadith About Asking Questions: Learning with Real Need
Sahih Muslim : 12b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 12b
حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ هَاشِمٍ الْعَبْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا بَهْزٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ قَالَ أَنَسٌ كُنَّا نُهِينَا فِي الْقُرْآنِ أَنْ نَسْأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ شَىْءٍ . وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ بِمِثْلِهِ .
Anas Narrated from:
We were forbidden in the Holy Qur'an that we should ask about anything from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and then Anas reported the hadith in similar words.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 12bIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 11USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 10
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 12b
This hadith about asking questions is short, but its message is clear from the text. Anas says they were forbidden in the Qur'an from asking the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم about anything, and then he mentions that the same report was narrated in similar words. In the longer related wording, the Companions liked when an intelligent person from the desert came and asked, because they could listen and learn. This teaches careful speech around religious questions. It does not reject learning. Rather, it points to avoiding questions without real need and valuing questions that help people understand faith, prayer, zakat, fasting, and Hajj. The focus is respect, patience, and useful learning.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Companions were careful about asking questions without genuine need.
- Useful questions can help others listen and learn.
- Religious learning should be done with respect and care.
- A repeated narration can preserve the same lesson in similar words.
