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What is the ruling on not asking about something one suspects to be forbidden?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is legislated for one who doubts whether something is permissible or forbidden to ask the people of knowledge before undertaking it. If he undertakes it and then doubts it, he should hasten to ask, due to the saying of Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): "Indeed, one of you will continue to be in goodness as long as he fears Allah. And if something causes him doubt, he asks a man, and he cures him of it. And soon you will not find him." This applies to valid doubt supported by evidence. As for doubt resulting from waswasah (whisperings of Satan/obsessive thoughts), it is not to be given any consideration. The one afflicted by waswasah should ignore it and not ask, for "doubt after completion has no effect. Similarly, if doubts multiply or become mere whims, like waswasah, then abandon every waswasah brought to you by a deceiver."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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