[16] Advice for seekers of knowledge—Never feel shy to say I do not know!
Ash-Shabiy (rahimahullaah) was asked (about an affair of the deen), so he said: “I don’t know.” Then it was said to him, “Do you not feel shy of your statement” I don’t know” and you’re the faqeeh of the people of Basra?” So he said: “But the angels did not feel shy when they said [i.e. Allaah said that the angels said: قَالُواْ سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ لَا عِلۡمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمۡتَنَآۖ-They (angels) said: “Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. (2:32)]
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Quoted by Shaikh Raslaan in Fadlul Ilm page: 542