AN INCIDENT

In Sahih al-Bukhari, there is a narration from Anas ibn Malik describing an incident in Madinah in which he was personally present. The beginning of the narration is as follows:

“We were sitting in the mosque with the Prophet of Islam when a man entered, riding a camel. He made the camel kneel in the mosque and then tied it. After that, he asked the people, ‘Who among you is Muhammad?’

At that moment, the Prophet was sitting among us, reclining. We said, ‘This white man who is reclining.’

The man said, ‘O son of ‘Abdul-Muttalib!’

The Prophet replied, ‘I have heard you.’

The man said, ‘I will ask you something, and I will be harsh in questioning. Do not take it to heart.’

The Prophet said, ‘Ask whatever you wish.’

He said, ‘I ask you by your Lord and the Lord of those who came before you: has God sent you to all of humanity?’

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘By God, yes.’”  (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 63)

This incident involving the Prophet of Islam demonstrates that in an Islamic society, everyone has the right to ask any question, even to the greatest of individuals. One is also free to speak in a stern tone. The person being questioned should not become angry but should answer calmly to every question.