Bukhari

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: From this hadith, it is understood that it is permissible to assess the knowledge and intelligence of students. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was eating the soft part of a date palm when he asked the question: Which tree is it whose leaves do not fall and which, in every respect, is beneficial and a source of blessing like a Muslim? Just as a Muslim is an embodiment of benefit and a figure of goodness, and no harm comes to people from any of his limbs, similarly, no part or thing of this tree goes to waste. Abdullah ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) understood from the context of the “jummār” (the soft part of the date palm) that it was the date palm tree, but the minds of the senior Companions did not turn to this clue. However, Abdullah ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) felt shy and modest to answer the question out of respect for his elders, which is a praiseworthy quality. But in the situation where the elders remained silent and no one was taking the initiative to answer, giving the answer would not have been contrary to etiquette and respect. That is why Umar (radi Allahu anhu) said, “If you had given this answer, it would have been more beloved to me than red camels, because this would have become a cause for the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to praise and supplicate for you.”