Bahlool and Avoiding Questions and Answers

Umar ibn Ata al-Adawi said to Bahlul, “Do you consider yourself one of the prominent people of the city and someone knowledgeable in Islamic matters? Either ask me a question, or I will ask you one.”

Bahlul replied, “I do not wish to ask any questions, nor do I want anyone to ask me questions.”

Umar ibn Ata asked, “Why?”

Bahlul responded, “If I ask you a question, you will not be able to provide an answer, for you are not knowledgeable about it. And if you ask me a question, it will be asked out of animosity and malice, and in that case, truth and falsehood will become mixed. Allah has forbidden such gatherings, as He says: ‘And when you see those who engage in mockery of Our signs, turn away from them until they engage in a talk other than that. And if Satan causes you to forget, do not sit with the wrongdoers after the reminder.'” (Quran 6:68)