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PERSISTENT QUESTIONING

1298

“The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, addressed us saying, ‘O people, Allah has made the Pilgrimage obligatory for you, so you should perform it.’ A man asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, is it obligatory every year?’ The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, remained silent and the man asked his question three times. Then the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, commented, ‘If I had said yes, it would have become obligatory and you could not afford to do so.’ Then he added, ‘Leave me when I do not comment about something. There were some people before you that were ruined by their habit of asking too many questions and differing with their Prophets. Therefore, when I direct you to do something carry out my direction as far as you are able, but when I forbid anything to you leave it alone altogether.’"

Muslim with a chain up to Abu Hurairah who related that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said this.