In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Explanation of Suratul Israa verse 36

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Aziz bin Abdillah bin Baaz may Allah have mercy on him

Question: What is the tafseer of this verse

وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولاً۬

“And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned.” (Surah Israa:36)?

Answer: What is apparent from the verse is that Allah prohibited man from speaking without knowledge.

“And do not pursue” Means, do not speak about something which you have no knowledge of.

“Indeed, the hearing”  (Man) says: “I heard such and such” and he didn’t hear anything.

The sight and heart will all be asked. Mankind will be asked about their hearing, heart, and sight. Therefore, it is incumbent to not say “I’ve heard or I’ve seen something” except that it actually occurred, because these (body parts) will be asked. It is incumbent upon man to give special attention and affirm everything that comes to him; until (he comes to a point where) he doesn’t speak, act upon, and doesn’t believe anything until he has knowledge of it.  For this, Allah said:

 قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَالإِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَن تُشْرِكُواْ بِاللّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا وَأَن تَقُولُواْ عَلَى اللّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ

“Say, “My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.” [Surah Israa:33]

Allah made speaking about Him without any knowledge more severe than all of these other deeds (read how here). Therefore, it is obligatory for man to learn until he has knowledge. He should not say “I heard/I saw this and that” except with complete knowledge of it.

Source

Translated by: Abu Awzaa’ee AbdusSalaam

الفقير الى الله