Claiming that one is ignorant or using this as an
excuse is a matter which needs further discussion. Not everyone can be excused
for his ignorance. With regard to the things which were brought by Islam, which
the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) explained and which were made
clear in the Book of Allaah and are widely known among the Muslims, no claim of
ignorance will be accepted in these cases, especially in matters with have to
do with ‘aqeedah and the basics of religion. Allaah sent His Prophet
(sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) to teach the people their religion and explain
it to them, and he conveyed the message clearly and explained to the Ummah the
truths of their religion.
He explained everything and left them with a clear
path which is always obvious. In the Book of Allaah there is guidance and
light. If some people claim to be ignorant about things which are known to be
essential parts of the religion and which are well known among the Muslims,
such as claiming to be ignorant about shirk and worshipping anything other than
Allaah, or claiming that Salaah is not obligatory, or that fasting Ramadaan is
not obligatory, or that paying Zakaah is not obligatory, or that doing Hajj
when one is able to is not obligatory – in these and similar matters, claims of
ignorance are unacceptable from those who live among the Muslims, because they
are matters which are well known among the Muslims. They are known to be
essential parts of the Muslim religion and are widely known among the Muslims,
so the claim of ignorance of these matters is unacceptable.
This is the case if a person were to claim that he
does not know that what the mushrikeen do at the graves or idols is wrong, when
they call upon the dead, seek their help, offer sacrifices to them and make
vows to them, or offer sacrifices to the idols, stars, trees or rocks; or seek
healing or help against their enemies from the dead or idols or jinn or angels
or Prophets… All of these are things which are known essentially in the religion
that they are major shirk.
Allaah explained this clearly in His Book, and His
Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) explained it clearly. He remained in
Makkah for thirteen years warning the people against this shirk, and he
preached the same message in Madeenah for ten years, explaining to them that it
is obligatory for their worship to be purely and sincerely for Allaah Alone,
and reciting to them the Book of Allaah…
The same applies in the case of those who
make fun of the religion, attack it, mock it and insult it – all of these are
forms of major kufr and are things for which none may be excused on the grounds
of ignorance, because it is well known in the religion that insulting the
religion or insulting the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) are forms of
major kufr, as is making fun of the religion or mocking it.
With regard to matters which may be unclear, such
as some transactions and some matters of prayer and fasting, the one who is
ignorant of them may be excused, as the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)
excused the man who entered ihraam dressed in a cloak and wearing perfume. The
Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “Take off the cloak and
wash off the perfume, and do in your ‘Umrah what you do in your Hajj.” He did
not tell him to pay a penalty (fidyah) for his ignorance.
By the same token, some matters which may be
unclear should be taught to the one who is ignorant so that he will come to
understand them. But as far as the basics of ‘aqeedah, the pillars of Islam,
and things which are clearly haraam are concerned, claims of ignorance cannot
be accepted from anyone who lives among the Muslims. If anyone who lives
among the Muslims were to say, “I did not know that zinaa is haraam”, this is
no excuse. If he were to say, “I did not know that disobeying my parents is
haraam,” this is no excuse; rather he should be beaten and disciplined. Or if
he were to say, “I did not know that homosexuality is haraam,” this is no
excuse. These are matters which are clear and are well known among the Muslims
and in Islam.
But if he lived in a land far away from the Muslim
world or in a remote part of Africa where there are no Muslims around him, then
the claim of ignorance may be accepted from him, and if he dies in that state
his case will rest with Allaah; he will come under the same ruling as those who
lived during the fatrah (time between two Prophets). The correct view is
that they will be tested on the Day of Resurrection: if they respond and obey
they will enter Paradise, and if they disobey they will enter Hell. But the one
who lived among the Muslims but did actions of kufr and neglected the well-known
obligations, has no excuse, because the matter is clear and there are Muslims
around him, who fast and perform Hajj. All of this is well known and widespread
among the Muslims, so the claim of ignorance in this case is a false claim. And
Allaah is the One Whose help we seek.
Source: Summarized
from Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutnawwi’ah by Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn
‘Abdullaah Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 7, p. 132[1]
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