The disapproval of asking hypothetical and excessive questions:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Leave me with what I have left to you, for those who were before you were destroyed because of excessive questioning, and their opposition to their Prophets. So when I command you to do anything, do it as much as it lies in your power and when I forbid you to do anything, then abandon it.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7288) and Saheeh Muslim (2388, 4355) and the wordings are from Saheeh Muslim]

Narrated Sahl ibn Sa`d رضي الله عنه said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم disliked being asked (hypothetical) questions and disapproved it. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4745, 5308, 5259, 7304) and Saheeh Muslim (1492)]

Narrated al-Mugheerah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah تعالى disliked that you…ask too many questions (in religion)…” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1477, 2408, 5975, 6473) and Saheeh Muslim (593)]

`Aamir bin Sa`d reported on the authority of his father that Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The greatest sinner amongst the Muslims is the one who asked about a thing (from Allaah’s Apostle) which had not been forbidden for the Muslims and it was forbidden for them because of his persistently asking about it.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7289) and Saheeh Muslim (5821, 5822)]

`Amr bin Murrah said that `Umar (Ibn al-Khattaab) رضي الله عنه said to the people: “I forbid you from asking questions about the things which did not take place, for we should busy ourselves with what already took place.”

On the authority of Nafi` that Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما said: “Do not ask about that which did not take place, for verily I heard `Umar cursing the one who asked about the thing which did not happen.”

On the authority of Khaarijah bin Zaid that whenever someone asked Zaid bin Thaabit رضي الله عنه a question he would ask: “Did it already happen?” if the answer was in negative, he would say: “Leave it till it actually takes place.”

On the authority of al-Zuhree رحمه الله that it reached him that whenever someone asked Zaid bin Thaabit رضي الله عنه a question he would ask: “Did it already happen?” he if the answer was ‘yes’, he would narrated according to the knowledge he had. But if the answer was ‘no’, he would say: “Leave it till it actually takes place.”

On the authority of Masrooq that he asked a question from Ubai bin Ka`b رضي الله عنه . Ubai replied: “Did it take place?” I said: ‘No.” He said: “Leave us till it actually takes place. So when it does happen we would give our verdict to you.”

Source:

[al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/11-14)]