Saying "I do not know" when asked for a ruling: Is it a deficiency?
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The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: What is your guidance for the one who believes that if he is asked a question or asked for a ruling and he does not answer and does not say "I do not know," that this is considered a deficiency in him?
The Shaykh:
No, it is not a deficiency; it is perfection. It is perfection in him, meaning it indicates his scrupulousness and his carefulness. This is perfection, not a deficiency. The deficiency is in the one who answers every question; that is the deficiency. As for the one who is cautious and reserved, that is perfection. He has taken precautions for his religion and for the questioner as well, so that he does not lead him into error. This is the one who is sincere to himself and sincere to the one who asked him. Yes.
The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: If a student of knowledge commits some sins.
The Shaykh:
And the one who does not have an answer says, "I do not know." He does not feel hesitant about saying "I do not know." Saying "I do not know" is lighter than issuing a ruling without knowledge. You are safe with "I do not know." For this reason, the scholars say: If one errs by saying "I do not know," his target is hit. His target is hit. If you do not know, say "I do not know, Allah knows best."
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: What is your guidance for the one who believes that if he is asked a question or asked for a ruling and he does not answer and does not say "I do not know," that this is considered a deficiency in him?
The Shaykh:
No, it is not a deficiency; it is perfection. It is perfection in him, meaning it indicates his scrupulousness and his carefulness. This is perfection, not a deficiency. The deficiency is in the one who answers every question; that is the deficiency. As for the one who is cautious and reserved, that is perfection. He has taken precautions for his religion and for the questioner as well, so that he does not lead him into error. This is the one who is sincere to himself and sincere to the one who asked him. Yes.
The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: If a student of knowledge commits some sins.
The Shaykh:
And the one who does not have an answer says, "I do not know." He does not feel hesitant about saying "I do not know." Saying "I do not know" is lighter than issuing a ruling without knowledge. You are safe with "I do not know." For this reason, the scholars say: If one errs by saying "I do not know," his target is hit. His target is hit. If you do not know, say "I do not know, Allah knows best."
Source
شرح إغاثة اللهفان من مصائد الشيطان لابن القيم، الباب الثالث في انقسام أدوية أمراض القلب إلى قسمين : طبيعية وشرعية — islamhouse.com (44:01)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.