The Warning Regarding Concealing Knowledge and What Is Meant by It
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Question:
The questioner asks, Shaykh, he says: What is the ruling on concealing knowledge and the warning associated with it?
Answer:
What is meant by this? It refers to the religious knowledge that people need in their acts of worship and transactions, and in the matters of their religion that are difficult for them. It is not permissible to withhold this from people, for Allah revealed this knowledge for the need of the people. The one who withholds knowledge is sinful. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:174] And He said: [Ali 'Imran 3:187] [Ali 'Imran 3:187].
It is obligatory for one who possesses knowledge to make it clear to the people, to teach them what he has of knowledge, and to disseminate his knowledge. However, in some cases, concealing knowledge is permissible for the sake of a stronger public benefit. Therefore, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him), "Do you know, O Mu'adh, what is the right of Allah over His servants? What is the right of the servants over Allah?" I said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said:Sahih al-Bukhari 2856Sunan Abi Dawud 2905Da'if (Al-Albani) Do not inform them of His saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih al-Bukhari 2856 If disclosing the knowledge leads to greater harm, then it is concealed for the sake of the benefit. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good and bless you.
The questioner asks, Shaykh, he says: What is the ruling on concealing knowledge and the warning associated with it?
Answer:
What is meant by this? It refers to the religious knowledge that people need in their acts of worship and transactions, and in the matters of their religion that are difficult for them. It is not permissible to withhold this from people, for Allah revealed this knowledge for the need of the people. The one who withholds knowledge is sinful. Allah the Exalted said:
Indeed, they who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book and exchange it for a small price - those consume not into their bellies except the Fire. And Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And they will have a painful punishment.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَشْتَرُونَ بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا أُولَٰئِكَ مَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ إِلَّا النَّارَ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌAnd [mention, O Muhammad], when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear to the people
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِand not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.
وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَIt is obligatory for one who possesses knowledge to make it clear to the people, to teach them what he has of knowledge, and to disseminate his knowledge. However, in some cases, concealing knowledge is permissible for the sake of a stronger public benefit. Therefore, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him), "Do you know, O Mu'adh, what is the right of Allah over His servants? What is the right of the servants over Allah?" I said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said:
Allah's right on His slaves is that they should worship Him (Alone) and should not worship any besides Him
حق الله على العباد أن يعبدوه ولا يشركوا به شيئاNarrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: A man died leaving no heir but a slave whom he had emancipated. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked: Has he any heir? They replied: No, except a slave whom he had emancipated. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) assigned his estate to him (the emancipated slave).
فقال معاذ لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلمShould I not inform the people, O Messenger of Allah? He said: Do not inform them, lest they become negligent,
أفلا أخبر الناس يا رسول الله؟ قال لا تخبرهم فيتكلوا،And slave's right on Allah is that He should not punish him who worships none besides Him.
حق العباد على الله أن لا يعذب من لا يشرك به شيئاThe presenter:
May Allah reward you with good and bless you.
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 03/173 — archive.org (15:56)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.