BENEFIT 241: Enquiring why Allah legislates certain things

Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymīn rahimahullah said: "Know, O questioner, and let everyone who listens to this programme know that the reason behind the Sharī‘ah rulings for every believer is that it is based on the statement of Allah and His Messenger, as Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْراً أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمْ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ﴾ "It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any choice in their affair." Therefore, if someone asks us about the obligation or prohibition of something whose ruling is indicated by the Qur'ān and Sunnah, we respond that the reason is the statement of Allah Almighty or His Messenger ﷺ. THIS REASON IS SUFFICIENT FOR EVERY BELIEVER. This is why when A'ishah was asked why menstruating women are required to make up missed fasts but not prayers, she replied, ((كان يصيبنا ذلك فنؤمر بقضاء الصوم ولا نؤمر بقضاء الصلاة)) "That would affect us, and we were commanded to make up the fasts but not the prayers." That is because a text from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him, serves as a compelling reason for every believer. However, there is no harm in seeking out the wisdom behind Allah's rulings, as doing so: 1. increases one's tranquility, 2. highlights the excellence of Islamic law by linking rulings with their reasons, and 3. enables one to make analogies when the reason for a specific ruling also applies to another matter not explicitly mentioned. Thus, understanding the wisdom behind legal rulings has these three benefits." [فتاوى نور على الدرب (2/22)] @almanhajussalafi