Then they took a piece of the cow, struck the murdered man with it, and Allah brought him back to life. He declared, “So-and-so is the one who killed me,” and the case was closed. The lesson here is that excessive questioning of the prophets—peace be upon them—can bring hardship upon the community.

A further example occurred with the Prophet ﷺ in the incident of al-Aqraʿ ibn Hābis, a man from the tribe of Tamīm. The Prophet ﷺ announced, “Allah has made the pilgrimage obligatory for you, so perform Hajj.” Since the obligation is only once and we were not told to repeat it, one pilgrimage suffices. Al-Aqraʿ nevertheless asked, “Every year, O Messenger of Allah?”—a question that had no place. He ﷺ replied, “Had I said ‘Yes,’ it would have become obligatory, and you would not have been able to perform it. Leave me so long as I leave you; those before you were only destroyed by their excessive questioning and their contradicting their prophets.”

This, too, is an instance of making matters unduly difficult. During the Prophet’s own lifetime one was not to ask about matters on which revelation was silent, hence his words: “Leave me so long as I leave you; those before you were only ruined by their excessive questioning and by their differing with their prophets.” In our era, however—after revelation ceased with the Prophet’s ﷺ death—ask about whatever you need, because the rulings are now fixed; nothing will be added or taken away. In the formative period of legislation, however, rulings could be increased or reduced.

Some ordinary people misread Allah’s statement, “Do not ask about matters which, if made plain to you, would distress you” (al-Māʾidah 5:101), and the Prophet’s ﷺ saying, “Leave me so long as I leave you….” They misunderstand them, and you will find such a person committing what is forbidden and neglecting