Speak to the people with what they know (understand), would you like that Allaah and His Messenger are belied? – Shaykh Sulaymaan ar-Ruhaylee by AbdurRahman.org

Explanation of the narration: حدثوا الناس بما يعرفون  (Speak to the people with what they know)By Shaykh Sulaymaan ar-Ruhaylee In Saheeh al-Bukhaaree it is said that ‘Alee (ibn Abee Taalib) said: حدثوا الناس بما يعرفون، أتريدون أن يكذب الله ورسوله؟ “Speak to the people with what they know (understand), would you like that Allaah and His Messenger are belied?” This contains proof that some knowledge is not suitable for everyone. For verily, from knowledge is that which is specific, even if it is beneficial in itself and from the affairs of Tawheed, but perhaps many of the people don't know it. And this is from the likes of some affairs of the Tawheed of al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat (Names and Attributes), from some issues of al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat and mentioning some of the Sifaat (Attributes) of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic: this is not suitable for everyone. Even for some of those who seek knowledge, you might not mention some complex issues of al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat. But they are commanded to believe in this generally, and to believe in that which is well known from the Book and the Sunnah. As for the complex issues of al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat, then this is only for the elite (qualified) and it is not suitable for the general people (laymen) or the beginners in seeking knowledge. Because from it is that which confuses and that which might lead a person to belie Allaah and His Messenger, as ‘Alee said here, may Allaah be pleased with him:   حدثوا الناس بما يعرفون، أتريدون أن يكذب الله ورسوله؟ “Speak to the people with what they know (understand), would you like that Allaah and His Messenger are belied?” So the relation of this athar (narration) to this topic, is that from the reasons of the rejection of al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat is that a person speaks to the people with that which they don't understand from al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat. The people have a general belief in al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat, by which their Tawheed, Imaan and Islaam is correct. So entering into the details of this is not suitable, except if the person who is spoken to comprehends and understands this. And this is not the situation of most of the people. This is why Imaam Maalik, may Allaah have mercy upon him, when someone in his presence narrated the Hadeeth of the Image (“Allaah created Adam in His Image”), he prohibited him from narrating it, because the laymen do not understand the likes of these issues well. And likewise some issues of al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat, they are not suitable for the laymen. So the reason of rejection might be that you narrated to someone who does not understand this issue, so because this issue is above his intellect and above his level (of understanding) and above what he has attained of knowledge, this might lead him to rejecting something from the knowledge about Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, or rejecting something from al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat. So that which is obligatory upon the Muslim - and especially the student of knowledge - is that he doesn't make the people reject anything from that which Allaah - the Majestic and Most High - said or His Messenger - sallal-Laahu 'alayhi wa sallam - informed about. And that which leads to this rejection, is that he speaks to the people with what they don't know. He speaks to the people with a Hadeeth which their intellect doesn't grasp. As has come in the other Hadeeth: ما أنت بمحدث قوما حديثا لا تبلغه عقولهم إلا كان لبعضهم فتنة “You do not speak to a people with a Hadeeth which their intellect doesn't grasp, except that it results in a fitnah for some of them.” And Al-Bukhaaree has named a chapter after this in as-Saheeh in Kitaab al-'Ilm with his statement: “Chapter: Whosoever left some optional things out of fear that some people may not be able to understand them and may fall into something more severe.” And this is from the important affairs which the teacher, the speaker, the admonisher and the preacher should understand: that he should speak to the people with what they know, and that he makes their Tawheed stronger and complete and that he increases their Imaan by way of that which they know, not by way of that which they reject. Audio: https://soundcloud.com/rachidsuivi44/czlelose4kaiTranslated by: Yâsîn Abû Ibrâhîm Watch Video @ http://wp.me/p2sNCV-3lS