a trial for some of them.

Likewise, Alī said:

“Speak to people about what they understand, and leave aside what they find unfamiliar. Would you like Allah and His Messenger to be disbelieved?”

Or, for example, uttering a true statement might cause greater harm than leaving it unspoken. Such a case falls under his saying, peace and blessings be upon him:

“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest degree of faith.”

Reported by Muslim.

As for the questioner’s words:

“If it is deemed permissible, is it obligatory? Has anything been transmitted from him, peace be upon him, indicating that it is obligatory?”

[Response to the Third Question]

The answer is:

There is no doubt that everyone must believe in what the Messenger brought with a general belief encompassing it as a whole. Nor is there any doubt that detailed knowledge of what the Messenger brought is a collective obligation. This is part of conveying the message with which Allah sent His Messenger; carefully considering the Quran, comprehending it and understanding it; knowing the Book and wisdom; preserving the Reminder; calling to good; enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; calling to the Lord’s way with wisdom and good counsel; and disputing in the best manner. These and similar duties are among those Allah has imposed upon the believers. This, then, is a collective obligation upon them.