Musnad Ahmad

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that once I was walking with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a field in Madinah Munawwarah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was walking, leaning on his staff. As we walked, we passed by a group of Jews. They began saying to one another, "Ask him about the soul," but some among them forbade the others from asking. Nevertheless, they asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about the soul and said, "O Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), what is the soul?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood, leaning on his staff, and I realized that revelation was descending upon him. When that state ended, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited this verse: « ﴿وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتِيتُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا﴾ » [الإسراء : 85] "They ask you concerning the soul. Say: The soul is of the command of my Lord, and you have been given only a little knowledge." Upon hearing this, they began saying to one another, "Did we not tell you not to ask him?"