I do not know

Source: Jaami’ Bayaan al-‘Ilm wa Fadhlihi v2 p117

Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Mahdee رحمه الله mentions:

We were with Maalik ibn Anas رحمه الله when a man came saying: ‘O Abu ‘Abdullaah, I have travelled a distance of six months. The people of my land sent me to ask you about a matter.’

So he said: ‘Ask!’

So the man asked him some things, so he replied: ‘I do not know’

…and the man thought he had come to someone who knew everything, so he said: ‘What shall I tell the people of my land when I return to them?’

He said: ‘Say to them: Maalik ibn Anas does not know.’


Translation originally published on 16 June, 2003.

Graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having completed the Arabic Language programme at the Institute of Arabic Language before progressing to the Faculty of Sharee'ah, from which he graduated in 2004.

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