𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐞

Do not inquire into (the details of Divine Laws on many) things which, if explained to you, would cause you trouble, though if you ask about them while the Qur’ân is being revealed, they will be explained to you; (yet) Allâh has passed over this (detailed mentioning on purpose), for Allâh is Great Protector, Ever Forbearing.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِن تُبْد

َ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ وَإِن تَسْأَلُوا عَنْهَا حِينَ يُنَزَّلُ الْقُرْآنُ تُبْدَ لَكُمْ عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهَا

5:101 Extreme positions and obsession over minute details in the interpretation of Sharî‘a law is prohibited according to this verse. Fixating on trivial details leads to superstition, aversion, and finally disbelief. Just as the absence of Sharî‘a is harmful, so is the other extreme. We have to apply appropriate moderation and make efforts to understand the spirit behind the laws of Sharî‘a. Here is also a prohibition to insist on questions that have little to do with morality and righteousness (taqwâ تقوئ). Actual examples of such questions are: the kind of wood was used by Noah to construct the ark; the size of his ark; the kind of tree that Adam was forbidden to approach; or the name of the person with whom Abraham debated. Equivalent questions in modern times are whether it is “halâl” to put fresh flowers in toilets, or “harâm” to use nail polish during prayer. The list of such trivial discussions is long. This passage also holds a prohibition against the creation of new but effectively useless and potentially harmful ordinances (- fatwâ), and against interpretations of Sharia that were never mentioned in the Holy Qur’ân. The Holy Qur’ân has made the details in important matters explicit, yet there are questions where no direct answers are given. This does not mean that Allâh has forgotten them or wants us to remain ignorant. The purpose is that we exercise our own judgment and reasoning – Ijtihad. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, "The dif