Explanation of the Book: The Beginning of Revelation, Faith, and Knowledge-07a
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The reciter: Khalid ibn Makhlad narrated to us, Sulayman narrated to us, 'Abd Allah ibn Dinar narrated to us from Ibn 'Umar from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Sahih al-Bukhari 62
The Shaykh : The point of interest is his saying: . The meaning of "tell me" is "inform me," and the meaning of "narrated to us" is "informed us." This is what is intended, not that "tell me" means "bring me a hadith and a story," or that "narrated to us" means "recite for us a hadith and a story." Rather, the intent is "inform me." Yes.
The reciter: "Chapter: The Imam posing a question to his companions to test what knowledge they possess"
Khalid ibn Makhlad narrated to us, Sulayman narrated to us, 'Abd Allah ibn Dinar narrated to us from Ibn 'Umar from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sahih al-Bukhari 62
The Shaykh : This is how the Imam posed the question to his companions to test what they knew. It just so happened that this hadith came up on the night of the students' exam. Yes, this is a strange coincidence. It is permissible for a person to pose a question to students to test what they know, whether they understood or not. There is no doubt that posing questions to students opens up their minds, especially in long lectures. Even if they are not private students, in long lectures the lecturer should ask the attendees questions so that they remain attentive, because in long lectures some people may be distracted by thoughts and let their minds wander. But if each person fears that he will be called out and asked, "So-and-so, what do you say?", he will be attentive. Asking questions in long public lectures held in mosques is rare; few do it, but it is beneficial. Also, in the hadith of Ibn 'Umar, there is evidence that there is no harm in a person being pleased when he answers correctly. When Ibn 'Umar narrated this hadith, 'Umar wished that his son had answered with that, because it occurred to Ibn 'Umar that it was the date palm, but he was the youngest of the group and was afraid to speak. Now, if someone asks, "What is the point of similarity between the date palm and the Muslim?" We say the point of similarity is what is in the Muslim and what is in the date palm of abundant good and abundant benefits. If a person were to count the benefits of the date palm, he would find more than twenty or thirty of its many benefits. Is there anyone among you who can come up with what is easy of its benefits, or is it exam time?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, no, no, do not reveal it to the people. No one. Hajjaj, those who do not have an exam. This is Muhammad Mahjub, and Hajjaj, and your name is
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : All right, help each other, and tomorrow, if Allah wills, you will bring us the summary. All right, yes.
Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree." Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree. The others then asked, "Please inform us what is that tree, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" He replied, "It is the date-palm tree."
إن من الشجر شجرةً لا يسقط ورقها وإنها مَثل المسلم حدثوني ما هي قال فوقع الناس في شجر البوادي قال عبد الله فوقع في نفسي أنها النخلة ثم قالوا حدثنا ما هي يا رسول الله قال هي النخلةThe Shaykh : The point of interest is his saying:
Tell me
حدثونيThen they said, "Tell us"
ثم قالوا حدثناThe reciter: "Chapter: The Imam posing a question to his companions to test what knowledge they possess"
Khalid ibn Makhlad narrated to us, Sulayman narrated to us, 'Abd Allah ibn Dinar narrated to us from Ibn 'Umar from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree." Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree. The others then asked, "Please inform us what is that tree, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" He replied, "It is the date-palm tree."
إن من الشجر شجرةً لا يسقط ورقها وإنها مَثل المسلم حدثوني ما هي قال فوقع الناس في شجر البوادي قال عبد الله فوقع في نفسي أنها النخلة ثم قالوا حدثنا ما هي يا رسول الله قال هي النخلةThe Shaykh : This is how the Imam posed the question to his companions to test what they knew. It just so happened that this hadith came up on the night of the students' exam. Yes, this is a strange coincidence. It is permissible for a person to pose a question to students to test what they know, whether they understood or not. There is no doubt that posing questions to students opens up their minds, especially in long lectures. Even if they are not private students, in long lectures the lecturer should ask the attendees questions so that they remain attentive, because in long lectures some people may be distracted by thoughts and let their minds wander. But if each person fears that he will be called out and asked, "So-and-so, what do you say?", he will be attentive. Asking questions in long public lectures held in mosques is rare; few do it, but it is beneficial. Also, in the hadith of Ibn 'Umar, there is evidence that there is no harm in a person being pleased when he answers correctly. When Ibn 'Umar narrated this hadith, 'Umar wished that his son had answered with that, because it occurred to Ibn 'Umar that it was the date palm, but he was the youngest of the group and was afraid to speak. Now, if someone asks, "What is the point of similarity between the date palm and the Muslim?" We say the point of similarity is what is in the Muslim and what is in the date palm of abundant good and abundant benefits. If a person were to count the benefits of the date palm, he would find more than twenty or thirty of its many benefits. Is there anyone among you who can come up with what is easy of its benefits, or is it exam time?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, no, no, do not reveal it to the people. No one. Hajjaj, those who do not have an exam. This is Muhammad Mahjub, and Hajjaj, and your name is
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : All right, help each other, and tomorrow, if Allah wills, you will bring us the summary. All right, yes.