that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Leave me with what I left you. When I narrated a Hadith to you, then take it from me. The people before you were only destroyed by their excessive questioning and disagreeing with their Prophets."
Hadith Commentary: Chapters on Knowledge - Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2679
This profound narration from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) contains essential guidance for the Muslim Ummah regarding the preservation of religious teachings and avoidance of destructive practices that afflicted previous nations.
Primary Meaning and Context
The statement "Leave me with what I left you" signifies that the Prophet (ﷺ) established a complete and perfect religion, requiring no additions or alterations. The instruction to accept his narrations without hesitation emphasizes the divine nature of his teachings.
This hadith was revealed in response to companions who would excessively question matters not yet legislated, potentially leading to increased religious obligations beyond what Allah intended.
Scholarly Interpretation
Imam at-Tirmidhi classifies this as a hasan sahih hadith, indicating its strong authenticity. Scholars explain that "excessive questioning" refers to inquiring about hypothetical scenarios or seeking to make permissible things prohibited through unnecessary scrutiny.
The prohibition against "disagreeing with their Prophets" warns against rejecting divine guidance or seeking alternatives to prophetic teachings, which was the primary cause of destruction for previous nations like the Children of Israel.
Practical Application
Muslims must accept authentic prophetic traditions without reservation while avoiding theological innovations (bid'ah) and unnecessary complexities in religious matters.
This teaching encourages contentment with the completeness of Islamic revelation and warns against the human tendency to over-complicate divinely established guidance, which often leads to division and deviation.