Summary
This article, translated from Muhammad ibn Muflih al-Maqdisi's writings, teaches that knowledge should be communicated with clarity and simplicity. Effective teachers speak according to their audience's level of understanding, avoiding unnecessary complexity that may confuse or mislead listeners.
IT IS GREATLY important when addressing a group of people with different capacities to make the speech plain and suitable for the least capable to follow what is being said. It is also recommended to avoid utilizing words that make it difficult to get the general point. There is nothing better than making one’s speech simple yet charismatic so that it will win both the heart and the mind of the listener.
Al-Mârwadi said: “I asked Imâm Aḥmad about a certain issue that have to do with ʿadl (justice, fairness) and his reply to me was: ‘Don’t ask about something you will not understand.’” Ibn ʿAqîl said: “It is not fair for a well-spoken scholar of high caliber to address someone with very little knowledge using cryptic terms. That will do nothing but corrupt the lame, poor man.” Ibn Al-Jawzi on his part added: “A well versed person should not talk to others about things their brains cannot bear.” All of these quotes go in accordance with what was narrated in Ṣaḥîḥ Al-Bukhâri on the authority of ʿAli ibn Abî Ṭâlib, who remarked: “Talk to people with that which is familiar to them. Do you want that Allah and His Messenger get belied?” ʿAbdullâh ibn Masʿûd also warned against superseding some people intellect by saying: “Any time you address people about something their minds would not be able to grasp, it will stand as a trial for some of them.” (Muslim)
Despite the warnings there are still many who are in complete heedlessness of such virtue. Many of them unfortunately are considered among the people of knowledge, who sometimes, while delivering a speech or general lecture, choose the most complicated methods to make their points. Instead of making it obvious, they set out a hunt for the most unusual and most uncommon words, which of course leaves the listener with no idea of what they heard or with the wrong idea he shouldn’t have gotten in the first place.
Abû ʿAbdullâh Al-Ḥâkim reported in his book, The History of Naisâpûr, that Al-Naḍr ibn Shumail said: “I asked Al-Khalîl a question and he took his time to answer. I then said him: ‘My question does not require all this time for the answer.’ He replied: ‘I know. I already came up with the answer to your question. I was only trying to find the simplest way of presentation so that you would be able to comprehend effortlessly.”
Also, the Shafi’ite jurist, ʿAbdullâh ibn Aḥmad Al-Sarakhsi said: “Had Muḥammad ibn Al-Ḥasan (the student of Abû Ḥanîfah) addressed his audience according to their level of his intellect, we would have never understood him, but he used to address us according to the level of our intellect.”
Imâm Muslim reported in hia Ṣaḥîḥ that Qazʿa said: “I came to Abû Saʿîd Al-Khudri while he was surrounded by many people. I waited until they all dispersed and said: ‘I came to ask you about the Salah of the Messenger ﷺ. He said to me: ‘you don’t gain any benefit in asking me that. Qazʿa said: ‘I asked him again and he gave me the same answer.” (Muslim)
Commentators stated that Qazʿa was asking too many questions about some details that are hard to experience and even harder to convey, and Abû Saʿîd’s insistence not to entertain Qazʿas questions tells us that he thinks that despite the fact one is asking about it, one must know that he can never establish Salah the same way as the Prophet ﷺ did, no matter how hard one would try. Therefore, it is better for one to stick to that which benefits him – in this case, learning how to make the Salah and then strive to improve and strengthen it. This will insure that one’s Salah is beneficial to him, even if it is not exactly as good as the Prophet’s Salah.
Sharing knowledge is undoubtedly a virtue of considerable merit and Allah has promised the conveyor of knowledge abundant rewards. However, the conveyor has to be so careful when addressing an audience and see to it that the words coming out of his mouth can be easily understood. This is true in all fields of knowledge but more so when it is related to matters of Sharîʿah. There can be real danger is confusing people about Sharîʿah for it can lead to fitnah.
Frequently Asked Question
Answering the most relevant questions to help you better understand the article.
The article teaches that speakers and teachers should communicate in clear, simple language that matches their audience’s level of understanding. The goal of sharing knowledge is guidance and benefit, not displaying one’s eloquence or scholarship.
The article explains that using plain language helps people understand and benefit from knowledge. Complicated terminology and obscure expressions may confuse listeners and prevent them from grasping the intended message.
The article quotes scholars such as Imam Ahmad, Ibn ʿAqil, and Ibn al-Jawzi, who emphasized that scholars should not burden people with matters beyond their understanding or speak in ways that confuse those with limited knowledge.
The article cites the narration in which ʿAli ibn Abi Talib advised, “Talk to people with that which is familiar to them,” warning against presenting matters in ways that could cause people to reject Allah and His Messenger because of misunderstanding.
The article mentions Ibn Masʿud’s statement that speaking to people about matters beyond their comprehension may become a trial (fitnah) for some of them, highlighting the importance of considering the audience’s capacity.
The article relates that Al-Khalil delayed answering a question not because he lacked the answer, but because he was searching for the simplest way to explain it so the questioner could understand it easily.
The article explains that Abu Saʿid discouraged excessive questions about details that offered little practical benefit. Instead, believers should focus on learning and applying what genuinely helps them improve their worship.
The article criticizes those who intentionally use rare words, technical language, or overly complex explanations that leave audiences confused instead of helping them understand the message clearly.
The article encourages Muslims—especially teachers, preachers, and students of knowledge—to communicate with clarity, adapt their message to their audience, and focus on benefiting listeners rather than impressing them with difficult language.
The article concludes that the purpose of conveying knowledge is understanding and guidance. By speaking simply, wisely, and appropriately for the audience, believers preserve the true message of Islam and help others learn without confusion or unnecessary difficulty.
