Translation of the meanings Ayah 101 Surah Al-Mā’idah - English Translation - Dr. Waleed Bleyhesh Omary - The Noble Qur'an Encyclopedia

Ayah: 101

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَسۡـَٔلُواْ عَنۡ أَشۡيَآءَ إِن تُبۡدَ لَكُمۡ تَسُؤۡكُمۡ وَإِن تَسۡـَٔلُواْ عَنۡهَا حِينَ يُنَزَّلُ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ تُبۡدَ لَكُمۡ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنۡهَاۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٞ

(101) ^[1266]You who Believe, do not ask about matters, which if explained to you would displease you. But if you ask about them while the Qur’an is being sent down, they will be explained to you^[1267]. Allah overlooked them^[1268]—Allah is indeed All-Forgiving, All-Forbearing^[1269].

[1266] Believers are urged here to uphold and hold tightly to what was delivered to them by the most trustworthy Messenger (ﷺ) (cf. 3: 103). Questions, and especially contrived questions, when responded to will inevitably widen the circle of Divine ordinances and this might make it difficult for Believers to act on them. God, in His infinite wisdom, perfected His religion, ensuring it was not onerous for people so that it would be easy for them to follow in order to win His great rewards: “Allah wants not to burden you, but He wants to purify you and perfect His favour on you that you may be thankful” (5: 6, cf. also 22: 78). Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “People, Allah has ordained Hajj for you so perform it”. A man stood up and said: “Every year, Messenger of Allah?” The Messenger did not answer him until he repeated the question three times. Then he said: “Had I said: “Yes”, then it would be binding and you would not be able to bear it”. Then he added: “You should not be pestering me with questions when I hold my peace. What brought about the ruination of those who came before you is their persistence in asking questions and incessantly counselling their Prophets. If I command you something, do it as much as you can and if I warn you against a matter avoid it altogether” (Muslim: 1337). Saʿd Ibn Abī Waqqāṣ (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The bearer of the most grievous of sins among the Muslims is the one who asks a question about something which was not declared unlawful ˹in the first place˺ but which was pronounced so because of this question” (al-Bukhārī: 7289, Muslim: 2358). This outlook captures the essence of Islam, the most perfect of all religions, which is very much in tune with human nature.
[1267] It is alright to ask sincere questions about a portion of the Qur’an that one cannot understand and/or to make sure of a particular ruling. Such questions deserve to be answered as much as they are warranted and legitimate (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Wāḥidī, Ibn Rajab, al-Saʿdī).
[1268] This could mean that: 1) God overlooked your questioning and does not hold you to account for your oversight (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Wāḥidī); 2) God warned you against such questioning but allows it once a revelation with its regard comes down from Him (Ibn ʿĀshūr); 3) what was not mentioned in the Qur’an is part of what He pardoned so do not bring these up since they were not brought up by God Himself (cf. Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī).
[1269] “If Allah were to punish people for what they have committed, He would not have left a single living being on the back of Earth. But He delays them for an appointed term. And when their time arrives, then surely Allah is All-Seeing of His servants” (35: 45).