A reflection on Surah Al-Mulk 67:26 - the honesty of admitting what even a Prophet (SAW) did not know.
There is a particular kind of humility in admitting the limits of one's own knowledge, especially when others expect certainty. Surah Al-Mulk puts exactly this admission into the mouth of the Prophet (SAW) himself, a lesson we try to carry into how we teach at Darus Saulieghien Quraan Academy.
An Honest Limit
قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْعِلْمُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ ٢٦
"Say, 'The knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.'" (Surah Al-Mulk 67:26)
When pressed about exactly when the Hereafter would arrive, the Prophet (SAW) was instructed to answer plainly: that knowledge belongs to Allah (SWT) alone. His own role was to warn clearly, not to know every unseen detail.
The Strength in Saying “I Don't Know”
This ayah models something valuable for anyone teaching or learning: the honesty to say "Allah knows best" rather than guessing to appear certain. Even the most beloved of Allah's creation did not claim knowledge that was not his to have.
We encourage our students and teachers alike to hold onto this same humility, that not knowing an answer is not a failure, and that certainty belongs to Allah (SWT) before it belongs to any of us.
May Allah (SWT) grant our students and teachers both knowledge where it can be sought, and humility where it cannot. Ameen.