“A good question is half of knowledge”

“A good question is half of knowledge”.

Hadith

Do not shy away from asking questions so that you can learn about your religion, Haqq (the Real) and haqiqat (the Truth).

The person who knows how to ask questions (how to ask good questions) is more inclined to learn; the question he asks gives his addressee an idea about his perspective, his vantage point and his level of comprehension.

Do not shy away from asking questions and questioning things. However, formulate your questions in such a way that they open doors to answers that contribute to your moral/spiritual development. This is why the hadith makes specific reference to “good question”.

The heart finds no satisfaction when its questions remain unanswered. When the heart is not satisfied, there is no surrender with sincerity.

One cannot speak of resignation where there is doubt.

The light of knowledge removes the darkness of ignorance. Apprehension, suspicion and doubt thus lose their rule and dominion because the person who observes and discovers with knowledge has reached the level of discernment and foresight.

It is only natural to question the veracity of something about which one is not allowed to ask questions.

Once a person is done with asking questions and questioning and has entered the state of surrender with satisfaction, decency requires that he listens. If a person remains silent and listens full heartedly in the presence of someone who knows and explains, he learns a lot of things and this is for his best. If the person does not show patience and hastily asks every question that comes to his mind, he acts against decency. Since he is mainly focused on and preoccupied with the question in his mind, he also loses the benefit of acquiring the knowledge and wisdom contained in the words of the knowing speaker.

If the questioner cannot comprehend the accuracy of the answers he is given – despite the fact that the answers are correct and accurate – and continues to raise objections, it means that the questioner’s understanding/comprehension is clouded/diseased. If such a person still does not get the point after the teaching is repeated to him seven times, he is left to his own devices. The teaching is not repeated to him again because it has become clear that the questioner cannot presently understand the teaching due to his ayan al sabita (unchangeable reality/ predisposition).

Allah (ﷻ) knows best. 

Ahmet Şahin Uçar