Suhnoon was asked whether it is possible for a scholar to say ‘I do not know’ in response to a matter he knows about?
Tag: ilm
I do not know
[To say] ‘I do not know’ is half of [all] knowledge.
I do not know
It is befitting for the scholar to bequeath his companions the term ‘I do not know’, so it becomes a principle to which they seek refuge [from the danger of speaking without knowledge].
Humility of the scholar
I have never seen a scholar say “I do not know” more than Taawoos [ibn Keesaan].
I do not know
[To say] “I do not know” is half of [all] knowledge.
I do not know
I accompanied Ibn ‘Umar (radhi-yAllaahu ‘anhumaa) for 34 months, and [during this time] whenever he was asked a question, he would respond with: I do not know. He then turned to me and said: Do you know what these [people] wanted, they wanted to use our backs as a bridge for themselves to Hell.
Strength of memory
My heart has never stored (memorised) anything and then left me.
Seeking knowledge to act according to it
If a man seeks knowledge to act according to it, his knowledge gratifies him, and if he seeks knowledge for other than acting according to it, then his knowledge [merely] increases him in pride and haughtiness.
Beautify knowledge
Beautify knowledge [by acting in accordance to it], and do not beautify yourself with it.
Knowledge
Knowledge is that which benefits, not that which is memorised