A Tradition of Inquiry: How Questions Strengthened the Muslim Ummah

Written by: Ustaz Erwin Shah Effandy

Questions have been an integral part of how muslims have developed throughout the years in our history. Our islamic scriptures are full of questions, from the Qu’ran, Sunnah up to the works of our scholars. Our tradition grew and developed through questions where doubts were addressed, challenges were answered, and rulings were formed from sincere inquiry. We owe much of who we are as an ummah today to these questions where it is preserved throughout history and remaining relevant until today.

Asking questions holds a noble place in this religion. It is not something that is condemned nor looked down upon, as long as the intention behind it is sincere and seeking clarity. The Qur’an is filled with questions which are then answered by the All-Mighty as a guide for all of us. It is one of the ways that is used by the Qur’an to convey us information. Allah s.w.t encourages asking questions as mentioned in surah Yusuf:

 لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِى يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِۦٓ ءَايَـٰتٌۭ لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ

“Indeed, in the story of Joseph and his brothers there are lessons for all who ask.”

Ibn Katsir states that the idea being put forth here is that there are lessons and admonitions for those who ask about the story of Nabi Yusuf and seek knowledge from it, as it is an amazing story worthy of being asked about. Here, Allah s.w.t praises those who ask questions. 

Ask those who are credible

The proper approach to asking religious questions is to consult those who are deeply knowledgeable in the religion. Since matters of religion are a weighty matter, one should not seek answers from just anyone. Instead, it is essential to refer to credible scholars and qualified religious teachers (Asatizah) who possess sound understanding and authentic knowledge. Allah s.w.t emphasizes this in the Qur’an when he said: 

فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

“so ask the people of the message if you do not know”

Throughout the Qur’an, we will often come across the phrase “Yas’alunaka” (يَسْأَلُونَكَ), which means “They ask you, O Muhammad”. This highlights how the companions of the Prophet s.a.w were always engaging, questioning, and seeking guidance directly from him and in return, Allah s.w.t would reveal verses addressing their concerns, providing clarity, wisdom, and rulings that would benefit not just them, but the entire ummah after them. 

One clear example of this is when they asked about the ruling of intoxicants and gambling, two matters deeply rooted in their society. Allah s.w.t responded in the Qur’an with guidance that not only addressed their question but also laid down principles for generations to come: 

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ ۖ قُلْ فِيهِمَآ إِثْمٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَآ أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا ۗ

They ask you, O Prophet, about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people—but the evil outweighs the benefit.”

Imam Al-Baghawi mentions that the asbab an-nuzul (reason behind revelation) for this verse was due to the question asked by Umar ibn Khattab, Mu’az ibn Jabal and a group from the Ansar. They came to the Prophet s.a.w asking about the ruling of alcohol and gambling as they corrupt the mind and consume people’s wealth. Allah s.w.t then revealed this verse answering their enquiries. This ruling was then also developed into the ruling of alcohol being prohibited in Surah Al-Maidah verse 90-91. 

Not only did Allah s.w.t answer their question, but He also honoured them through it. He could have simply revealed a direct ruling prohibiting intoxicants and gambling, but instead, He acknowledged their question and made it part of the Qur'an. Their question is preserved in the Final Revelation, recited by millions of Muslims across generations, forever becoming a part of our sacred tradition.

Asking the Right Question

While asking questions is indeed a noble trait encouraged in our religion, it is equally important that such questions are asked with sincerity and the right intention. In the Qur’an, we find instances where certain questions were not answered directly; either to teach us to reflect deeply and contemplate, or because their true reality is part of the unseen knowledge known only to Allah s.w.t, who has chosen to conceal it from His creation. There were also questions posed not out of genuine curiosity, but rather as a means to mock, deny, or insult Allah s.w.t and His Messenger. A clear example of this is when the disbelievers questioned the coming of the Day of Judgement. Allah s.w.t mentions in the Qur’an: 

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلسَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْسَىٰهَا ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّى ۖ لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَآ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ

“They ask you (O Prophet) regarding the Hour, “When will it be?” Say, “That knowledge is only with my Lord. He alone will reveal it when the time comes.”

Imam Ibn Katsir mentions that this verse was revealed to the people of Quraysh as they used to ask about the time of the hour, out of denial of its occurrence and rejection of its reality. They repeatedly asked this question not out of sincere curiosity or a genuine desire to seek knowledge, but rather with the intention of mocking and ridiculing the Prophet s.a.w. Their question stemmed from arrogance and denial, aiming to belittle the message of Islam and cast doubt upon the reality of the Hereafter. 

Allah s.w.t then responded to them by affirming that only He possesses knowledge of when it will occur, as it is from the matters of the unseen which He alone has kept hidden from His creation. This reinforces a core principle in our creed (Aqidah) which is that only Allah s.w.t knows when the Last Day will occur. No one, whether human or otherwise, has access to this knowledge. Anyone who claims to know its timing is speaking falsely and contradicting the teachings of Islam. 

Never Hesitate to Ask, Even Simple Questions

The Prophet s.a.w was always available to answer the questions of his companions and it is through these answers is where he taught many laws and fundamentals of the religion. He encouraged his companions not to hesitate to ask questions on what they needed to know of appropriate rulings and regulations of this religion. 

There were many occasions where the companions of the Prophet s.a.w asked him questions and their questions were recorded and preserved in the books of Hadith, serving as a source of guidance and benefit for us until today. One of them is the hadith of Jabir bin Abdillah: 

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا: "أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم فَقَالَ: أَرَأَيْت إذَا صَلَّيْت الْمَكْتُوبَاتِ، وَصُمْت رَمَضَانَ، وَأَحْلَلْت الْحَلَالَ، وَحَرَّمْت الْحَرَامَ، وَلَمْ أَزِدْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ شَيْئًا؛ أَأَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ

On the authority of Abu Abdullah Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari r.a: A man asked the Prophet s.a.w and said, “Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as lawful that which is halal, and treat as forbidden that which is haram, and do not increase upon that [in voluntary good deeds], then I shall enter Paradise?” He, s.a.w, replied, “Yes.”

This question might appear to be very simple, almost too basic. Yet because this man had the courage to ask sincerely, his question became a timeless guidance for the entire ummah. Until today, this hadith benefits millions of Muslims as it highlights the importance of fulfilling the basic obligations of Islam, and shows us that the mercy of Allah s.w.t is vast for those who are committed to their duties and avoid what He has prohibited.

This reminds us that no question asked sincerely for the sake of understanding is ever wasted in this religion but rather, it may become a source of guidance for others long after we are gone. That is the beauty of this religion. The door of knowledge is always open for anyone who asks with sincerity and humility.

The Books That Began With a Question

There were multiple books in the religion which were authored due to questions from sincere men. One of the most authentic hadith compilations in Islamic history came into existence through a sincere inquiry. Ahmad ibn Salamah, a dedicated student of Imam Muslim, approached and asked his teacher and expressed the need for a compilation of hadiths. Imam Muslim then began his work and eventually produced Sahih Muslim, a masterpiece that would go on to become the second most authentic collection of hadith after Sahih al-Bukhari. 

A man, struggling with sins, once asked Ibn Qayyim on how to avoid sins and make sincere repentance from them. Instead of just answering his question briefly, Ibn Qayyim answered his inquiry by writing a book called Ad-Daa’ wa Ad-Dawa’ (The Disease and the Cure). The impactful writing done by Ibn Qayyim then became a guide and a book of reference to those who want to repent and return to Allah s.w.t 

This book became one of the most impactful works in Islamic literature, a timeless guide for those yearning to return to Allah s.w.t. with a sincere heart. His response was not just for that one man, but for every soul that finds itself in the depths of struggle, searching for a way back to the path of righteousness. This shows how a single sincere question, born from pain and longing, can become the spark for a legacy of healing and guidance for generations to come.

Many of the great works by our scholars throughout history were sparked by sincere questions, whether from their students or the general public. These questions became timeless writings that continue to benefit us until today. This tradition of seeking, asking, and responding with wisdom traces all the way back to the time of the Prophet s.a.w., where questions were met with revelation and guidance. 

Avoid these questions

There is an art and etiquette on how and what we ask and our syariah has provided us guidelines in doing so. Questions are of two kinds. The first type is asking with the intention of learning and of which would benefit them and the second one is asking with the context of exaggeration and overburdening oneself with it not bringing any benefit. Allah s.w.t mentions in the Qur’an: 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِن تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ

“O you who have believed, do not ask about things which, if they are made apparent to you, will distress you.”

Imam Ibn Kathir explains that this verse serves as a form of discipline from Allah s.w.t for His believing servants. It prohibits them from asking about matters that hold no real benefit, as investigating such things may lead to unnecessary hardship or emotional distress if the answers were made clear. The verse advises against excessive or needless questioning, particularly about issues that, once clarified, could result in obligations, restrictions, or discomfort that were not previously required or known.

It is this habit of asking unnecessary questions which lead to the destruction of the previous nations. The Prophet s.a.w mentions in a hadith: 

فَإِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ كَثْرَةُ مَسَائِلِهِمْ وَاخْتِلَافُهُمْ عَلَى أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ

“For verily, it was excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their Prophets that destroyed [the nations] who were before you.”

There is no need to overthink, over-analyse or create complexities in religious matters if one is unable to understand or implement them fully. Instead, the focus should remain on practical and beneficial knowledge that directly aids in faith and practice. This is why many of the Companions and the righteous predecessors refrained from unnecessary questioning about matters that had not yet occurred. 

A well-known example from the Qur'an that perfectly illustrates this concept is the story of Bani Israel. When Allah s.w.t commanded Prophet Musa a.s to instruct his people to slaughter a cow as a means to resolve a particular issue, they did not comply immediately but instead began asking excessive and unnecessary questions about the cow’s descriptions such as its age, color, and condition. As a result of their persistent questioning, what was originally a simple command became increasingly difficult for them to fulfill. Allah s.w.t made the command easy for them to fulfil but it was their constant probing which then added restrictions and caused hardship. 

A man once asked Ibn Umar about kissing the Black Stone (Hajar Al-Aswad) and said to him: “Do you think I should kiss it? Do you think I should touch it?” Ibn Umar responded to him by saying: “I saw the Prophet s.a.w kiss it and touch it.”

Ibn Umar r.a made it clear that following the Prophet’s actions is sufficient and there is no need for unnecessary questioning or overcomplicating simple practices. He emphasised that there is no benefit in excessive questioning or delving into matters without practical relevance. Instead, one should adhere to what the Prophet s.a.w taught and avoid unnecessary speculation or inquiry.

The Cure for Ignorance Lies in Asking Questions

The remedy for ignorance lies in the pursuit of knowledge, and that pursuit begins with the courage to ask questions. Based on all that has been proven above, Islam does not discourage inquiry in fact, it encourages it as a means of growth, understanding, and clarity. Through asking, we open the door to wisdom, correct our misunderstandings, and nurture humility in the learning process. This tradition of seeking through questioning has been a hallmark of Islamic scholarship throughout the centuries. As the Prophet s.a.w wisely said: 

أَلَمْ يَكُنْ شِفَاءُ الْعِيِّ السُّؤَالَ

“Is not the cure for ignorance found in asking?”

الله أعلم