The caption of my post may be misleading for some, thinking the development we see around started with things not known before. It were men of wisdom who pondered over and reflected over the available knowledge and found answers which led to inventions and discoveries. If that be so, they would mock Al Qur'an for making such an irresponsible statement.
This is the text of the verse from Surah Al-Isra (17:36). On the face of it, everyone will gather the same impression as given above. But a deep reflection of this verse will give the answer which is not discouraging the pursuit of knowledge—it is discouraging acting, speaking, or making claims without knowledge. The Quran consistently encourages learning, reflection, and observation of the natural world; for example, it repeatedly invites people to reflect on the heavens and the earth, asks whether those who know are equal to those who do not, and encourages thinking and reasoning. Scientific discovery itself begins with acknowledging what we do not know and then seeking evidence through careful observation and testing. That approach is fully consistent with the verse. What the verse prohibits is presenting speculation as fact, spreading unverified information, making judgments without evidence, or following assumptions blindly. In this sense, the verse supports the very intellectual honesty on which genuine science, scholarship, and the pursuit of truth depend.
Now let us turn to the verse and reflect over it in detail:
The Verse
Quran, Surah Al-Isra (17:36) says:
"Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart—each of those will be questioned."
This is one of the Quran's foundational verses on knowledge, truth, and accountability. It speaks not only about what we know, but about how we form judgments, speak, and act.
The context of the verse
This verse appears in Surah Al-Isra within a passage (17:22–39) that presents a series of ethical commands. These include:
Worship Allah alone.
Be good to parents.
Give relatives and the needy their rights.
Avoid extravagance.
Do not kill your children out of fear of poverty.
Avoid adultery.
Do not kill unjustly.
Protect the property of orphans.
Give full measure and weight.
Do not follow what you have no knowledge of.
Do not walk the earth arrogantly.
Notice that the Quran places this command among major moral principles. That tells us that speaking without knowledge is not a minor mistake—it is an ethical issue with spiritual consequences.
Breaking down the verse
1. "Do not pursue..."
The Arabic word تَقْفُ (taqfu) means: to follow, to chase, to imitate, to speak about, to make claims concerning something.
It is broader than "don't say." It means:
- Don't build your life on assumptions.
- Don't accept ideas merely because everyone else does.
- Don't accuse people without proof.
- Don't claim certainty where you lack knowledge.
2. "...that of which you have no knowledge."
Notice that Allah does not say: Don't pursue what is false. Instead He says: Don't pursue what you do not know.
This is a remarkably high standard. It teaches that the absence of evidence is itself a reason to pause. A believer should be comfortable saying:
"I don't know."
"I'm not sure."
"I'll check."
"Allah knows best."
Classical scholars often regarded saying "I don't know" as a sign of sincerity rather than weakness.
Why hearing, sight, and the heart?
The verse continues: "Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart—each of those will be questioned."
The Quran identifies three faculties through which we receive and process information:
1. Hearing: (1) What do you listen to? (2) What information do you accept? (3) Do you listen carefully before judging?
2. Sight: What do you witness? (1) Do you trust appearances without deeper understanding? (2) Do you verify what you think you saw?
3. The heart: In the Quran, the heart (qalb) is more than emotion. It is the center of intention, understanding, and moral judgment. Even if your eyes see correctly, your heart can distort reality through pride, envy, prejudice, and desire.
The verse reminds us that accountability extends beyond our senses to the way we interpret and act on what we perceive.
Scholarly commentary
Ibn Kathir explains that this verse forbids speaking without knowledge. It includes:
1. Giving testimony without certainty,
2. Making false accusations,
3. Spreading rumors,
4. Claiming knowledge one does not possess.
He emphasizes that every faculty Allah has given us will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.
Al-Tabari interprets the verse as a prohibition against following assumptions and conjecture in matters where evidence is lacking. He stresses that people should only affirm what they truly know.
Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi notes:
The meanings of "Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge" are very comprehensive. It demands that both in individual and collective life, one should not follow mere guess work and presumption instead of "knowledge". This instruction covers all aspects of Islamic life, moral, legal, political, administrative and applies to science, arts and education. It has thus saved the society from numerous evils which are produced in human life by following guesswork instead of knowledge.
The Islamic moral code demands: Guard against suspicion and do not accuse any individual or group without proper investigation. In law, it has been made a permanent principle that no action should be taken against anyone without proper investigation. It has been made unlawful to arrest, beat or imprison anyone on mere suspicion during investigation. In regard to foreign relations, the definite policy has been laid down that no action should be taken without investigation, nor should rumors be set afloat. Likewise in education the so-called sciences based on mere guess-work, presumptions and irrational theories have been disapproved. Above all, it cuts at the very root of superstitions, for this instruction teaches the Believers to accept only that which is based on the knowledge imparted by Allah and His Messenger.
Why this verse is extraordinary
Most ethical systems tell us: "Don't lie." - The Quran goes further. It says: Don't even act as though you know something when you don't.
That is a much deeper moral principle. It cultivates humility and intellectual honesty.
What does this mean today?
This verse is remarkably relevant in an age of instant communication.
- Social media Before sharing a post, ask yourself: Do I know this is true? Or am I just passing it on?
- News Before becoming angry, ask Have I verified the facts? Or am I reacting to a headline?
- Relationships Before believing gossip, ask Have I actually heard both sides?
- Religion
- Before saying: "Islam says..." - Ask: Do I actually know that? Or am I repeating something I've heard?
- This even true for all religions. Today, the image of Islam is tarnished on heresy - most haters of Islam have never verified what they have been fed. And when the truth is uncovered, they feel low for their emotional reactions rather than being logical.
- Science and learning The verse encourages intellectual humility. Knowledge should be pursued with evidence, curiosity, and honesty—not certainty without basis.
A deeper reflection
There is an interesting progression in the verse:
Hearing — information enters.
Seeing — observation confirms or challenges it.
Heart — interpretation, intention, and judgment.
The Quran reminds us that accountability is not only for what we hear or see, but for what we choose to believe, conclude, and act upon.
What direction this verse gives us
This verse calls believers to become people of truth:
- Speak only when you have knowledge.
- Verify before believing or sharing.
- Be willing to say, "I don't know."
- Use your senses responsibly.
- Guard your heart against bias and pride.
- Remember that every word and judgment carries moral weight.
In many ways, Surah Al-Isra 17:36 lays the foundation for an Islamic ethic of knowledge. It teaches that seeking truth is not merely an intellectual exercise—it is an act of worship, because Allah will ask us how we used the faculties He entrusted to us.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 17. Al-Isra'ʾ (The Night Journey) already published from Sürah 17. Al-Isra'ʾ. This verse is also part of our reference page: Some of the most profound verses of Al Qur'an that must be deeply reflected upon.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages:
- Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
- Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
- Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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