What is the ruling on delving deeply into the knowledge of the seas, souls, and heavens, and the like?
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The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh: What is the ruling on delving deeply into the knowledge of the seas, as well as souls, the knowledge of the heavens, and other such matters?
The Shaykh : As for delving deeply into what can be perceived, there is nothing wrong with it, provided it does not occupy one from what is more important than it. It is known that the seas can be perceived through the sciences, because they are a tangible matter. Likewise, the celestial bodies, such as the sun, the moon, the stars, and others. As for what cannot be perceived, delving deeply into it is excessive asceticism and a waste of time, such as if a person delves deeply into what concerns the attributes of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), or what concerns the Last Day, or what concerns matters of the grave and the barzakh (the interval between death and resurrection), because these cannot be perceived. This is the detail in this matter. Yes.
The Shaykh : As for delving deeply into what can be perceived, there is nothing wrong with it, provided it does not occupy one from what is more important than it. It is known that the seas can be perceived through the sciences, because they are a tangible matter. Likewise, the celestial bodies, such as the sun, the moon, the stars, and others. As for what cannot be perceived, delving deeply into it is excessive asceticism and a waste of time, such as if a person delves deeply into what concerns the attributes of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), or what concerns the Last Day, or what concerns matters of the grave and the barzakh (the interval between death and resurrection), because these cannot be perceived. This is the detail in this matter. Yes.