Do I Have to Apologize If I Ask Someone an Unnecessary Question
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Should I apologize to the person I asked an unnecessary question, and should I say the salam even in written form before asking a question?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Apologizing Others for Unnecessary Questions
Yes, one may apologize; however, it is not necessary. Also, it may differ from person to person. Sometimes we may ask a teacher or elder an unnecessary question; we may and may not have to apologize. Same when having asked someone of our age or below; we may or may not have to apologize. However, it would be good manners and an excellent habit to adopt. One should not put oneself in bother at the same time.
One has to remember the following hadith of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) reported by Jabir (Allah bless him and give him peace), the Messenger of Allah, (Allah bless him and give him peace) “Verily, the only cure for ignorance is to ask questions.” [Abu Dawud]
Greeting Others with Salam before Speaking and Leaving
Yes, one should always greet others with salam before speaking, writing a message, entering a gathering, etc.
Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported, A man passed by the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) while he was sitting in a gathering. The man said, “Peace be upon you.” The Prophet said, “Ten good deeds.” Another man passed by and said, “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.” The Prophet said, “Twenty good deeds.” Another man passed by and said, “Peace be upon you, the mercy of Allah, and his blessings.” The Prophet said, “Thirty good deeds.” A man stood up to leave the gathering and did not offer salutations of peace. The Prophet said, “How quickly your companion forgets! If one of you comes to a gathering, let him greet them with peace. If there is room for him to sit, let him sit. If he stands to leave, let him offer salutations of peace. The former duty is no different than the latter.” [Bukhari, Al-Adab al-Mufrad]
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Verily, peace is among the names of Allah he has placed on the earth, so spread it between yourselves. If a man greets people with peace and they answer him, he is favored a degree over them as he has reminded them. If they do not answer him, he is answered by angels who are better and purer than them.” [Tabarani, Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir]
Check the below-given links:
21 – Insincere Speech – Path of Muhammad: Birgivi Manual of Taqwa Explained – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani – YouTube
The Art of Asking for High Matters – Adab of Du’a 06 – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani – SeekersGuidance
Why is There so much Concern with ‘Manners’ (Adab) in Islam? – SeekersGuidance
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I pray this helps with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied within UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan and Turkey.
He started his early education in UK. He went onto complete hifz of Qur’an in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in UK where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then travelled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in UK with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.
