While I was going with the Prophet (ﷺ) through the ruins of Medina and he was reclining on a date-palm leaf stalk, some Jews passed by. Some of them said to the others: Ask him (the Prophet) about the spirit. Some of them said that they should not ask him that question as he might give a reply which would displease them. But some of them insisted on asking, and so one of them stood up and asked, "O Abul-Qasim ! What is the spirit?" The Prophet (ﷺ) remained quiet. I thought he was being inspired Divinely. So I stayed till that state of the Prophet (while being inspired) was over. The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, "And they ask you (O Muhammad) concerning the spirit --Say: The spirit -- its knowledge is with my Lord. And of knowledge you (mankind) have been given only a little)." (17.85)
Context and Occasion of Revelation
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 125 describes the circumstances surrounding the revelation of Quran 17:85. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was walking through Medina when Jewish scholars tested him with a profound theological question about the nature of the soul (ruh).
The Jewish scholars were divided - some cautioned against asking, fearing the Prophet might provide an answer that would challenge their understanding, while others insisted on posing the question to test his prophethood.
Divine Response and Prophetic Conduct
The Prophet's silence indicates he awaited divine revelation rather than offering personal opinion. This demonstrates the fundamental Islamic principle that matters of unseen reality (ghayb) require divine guidance.
The companion's recognition that the Prophet was receiving revelation shows the visible signs of wahy (divine inspiration) that the Companions could observe.
Exegesis of Quran 17:85
"The spirit is from the command of my Lord" - Classical scholars explain that the ruh (spirit) belongs to the category of Allah's command (amr), meaning it is from the unseen world that only Allah comprehends fully.
"You have been given but little knowledge" - This emphasizes human limitation in comprehending divine realities. Ibn Kathir comments that this verse establishes the proper boundaries of human inquiry and acknowledges Allah's infinite knowledge versus our limited understanding.
Scholarly Reflections
Imam al-Qurtubi notes that this incident teaches Muslims the etiquette of knowledge - to acknowledge the limits of human understanding and refer ultimate knowledge to Allah.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani emphasizes in Fath al-Bari that this hadith establishes the principle that not all knowledge is accessible to humans, and some matters remain exclusively with Allah's knowledge.
The response redirects the questioner from philosophical speculation to recognition of divine sovereignty and human limitation, establishing proper theological boundaries.