Humility in Knowledge

It was asked (to Imām Mālik), A person who has knowledge of the Sunnah, should he argue in order to defend it? He replied, ‘No, he should inform the other of the Sunnah, if he accepts, fine, otherwise he should remain silent.’ He would say, ‘Arguing and disputing about knowledge takes away the light of knowledge,’ and, ‘Disputing about knowledge hardens the heart and breeds cursing.’ Frequently would he say in response to question that he was asked, ‘I do not know.’


[Source: Page 41 - The Excellence of Knowledge (Fadhl Ilm) by al-Hāfiz ibn Rajab al-Hanbalī]