Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Censure of ignorance

It should be known that the saying "ignorance is an excuse" does not mean that it encourages and calls to ignorance, nor that ignorance has any merits, nor that one is satisfied and pleased with it. Rather it is as one of the Salaf (Pious Predecessor) said: "Allah has not been disobeyed with any sin worse than ignorance."
Ignorance is the reason for sin, it incites sin and leads to it. Ibn al-Qayyim says, "Yousuf the eminently truthful and upright said: "Unless you turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one of the ignorant ones (jaahileen)." [12: 33]
The word 'Jaahil' (ignorant) being used to mean: those who do that which you have forbidden. Allah says: "Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards." [4: 17]
Qataadah said: "The companions of the Messenger of Allah agreed that everything by which Allah is disobeyed is ignorance." Others said: "The companions agreed that anyone who disobeys Allah is an ignorant one (Jaahil)."

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