Could you please explain the verse: “And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).” (Al-Isra, 17/36)
Submitted by on Thu, 23/12/2010 - 13:27
Dear Brother / Sister,
“And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).” (Al-Isra, 17/36)
This verse forbids man from talking about, judging on anything which is unfamiliar to him, from behaving illiterately like talking about people whom he does not know particularly forswearing, slandering, that is to say, talking and behaving unknowingly by anticipation that cause material and moral harms. Human acts upon either what he hears or sees or his mind and conscience; that is, our knowledge is based on either observation or mind. The verse emphasizes the necessity and responsibility of using these information sources correctly. There is no doubt that this prohibition is related with human relations and it is legitimate and necessary to estimate and opine on subjects such as science and thought within rules. (Diyanet Tefsiri, Kur’an Yolu: III/420).
When we consider the order “pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge” juristically, we can say that man is ordered not to forswear about things that he does not see, hear and is not satisfied with. By this way, this order prevents any misguiding of the legal system.
Another verse on this subject is given as follows: “O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...but fear Allah: for Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (Al-Hujuraat, 49/12)
In a hadith, the following is stated: “One of the utmost slanders is showing what you have not seen as if you have seen it with your eyes.” (Bukhari, K. at Ta’bir,bab: 45)
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