Submitted by : k.ibrahim on Strugle

In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. The Philosophy of the Ignorance.

"Is it (then that) the judgement of (the time of pagan) ignorance they desire?
And who (else) can be better than Allah to judge for a people of assure faith."(theQuran:5:50) The Holy Qur'an has told us about other nations with capabilities in science, engineering, and skills. Still, it regarded them as 'jahiliyah' (ignorant).

6. The Qur'an describes nature as equal among nations of 'jahiliyah'. In the Qur'anic viewpoint, all of these nations were ignorant. We are able to understand this equality clearly through the comparison which the Qur'an has made between the backward state of Arabs and the developed state of nations before them.
7 Allah, the Exalted, says: What! have they not travelled in the earth and seen how was the end of those before them? They were more (in number) than those and mightier in strength, and greater are the relics (of their power) in the earth, but availed them not what they were earning. And when came unto them their apostles with clear proofs (of their truthfulness), exalted they in what they had with them of knowledge, but encompassed them that which they were wont to scoff."
Holy Qur'an (40:82-83) "Have they travelled not in the earth and seen how was the end of those before them? They were stronger than them in strength; and they dug up the earth and built on it more than what these did build; and there came unto them their apostles with clear proofs (miracles); (for) it is not Allah Who should do them (any) injustice, but they did injustice to their own selves. Then evil was the end of those who wrought evil, for belied they the signs of Allah, and at them they used to mock."
Holy Qur'an (30:9-10)
"And how many of the generations We did destroy before them, they were (even) better in riches and in splendor. Say you (O Our Apostle Muhammad) As to those who are in error, the Beneficent (Allah) will certainly lengthen the span (of their) life; until they behold what they were promised, be it the chastisement (in this world) or the Hour (of Doom); Then shall they know who is worse placed and (who is the) weakest in forces!" Holy Qur'an (19:74-75)

In this manner, the Qur'an has revealed the depth and content of those nations to stress that scientific development of man and his civil advancement are not able to save him from the claws of deviation and take him out of the fangs of ignorance as long as he embellishes ignorant faith and embodies the same abnormal ignorant behavior of the general society.
Although these ignorant deviated nations are scattered throughout history and The Present day,they are different in scientific and civil levels, they share common factors. One mental state combines them together and unifies their deviated course. Allah, the Exalted, says: "And those (pagans) who have no knowledge say: 'Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come to us?' Even thus said those before them, the like of what they say; their hearts are alike; We have indeed made clear the signs to people who are certainly sure." (the Holy Qur'an(2:118)This similarity among the hearts of the deviated nations and in many of todays peoples and the unity of the mental trend, which the Qur'an has revealed, is the common line which identifies all aspects of the pre-Islamic period and the present day standards of ignorance and is the center from which all activities of the ignorant man begins.
This similarity is the factor forming the identity and personality of all Ignorant nations. Also this description may be applied to all stages of human history especially the present day people whose generations have evolved into a devious and deviated system and refused to follow the straight path of truth and peace-the straight path of ALLAH the law of the Rabb, and the message of salvation.
When we examine Islamic texts and phrases about identifying and describing the life of ignorance, we are able to understand the meaning of the idiom 'Jahiliyah' and the reason why the Qur'an has used it. Also we are able to understand why the same idiom has been applied to the Present day nations, and other nations throughout history.
We are able to understand this terminology and labelling once we learns of the ignorance in the history of past nations and its connected with the present day, when we follow the unity of the line and trends which associated 'jahiliyah' through its effects and remains, and when we study the description of the Qur'an about the most important aspects of 'Jahiliyah", its ways of thinking, and its psychological and behavioral trends. The Philosophy of the Ignorance. Their Philosophy is that they don't know, and they don't want to know, if they can not understaned it, If they can not dominate it, If they can not control it. then they have to Destroy it. this is the Gross ignorance, and this is Blind ignorance aswell,that Leads to Blind arrogance,that also leads to Blind actions,and Blind actions leads to self Destruction. The Best Example of Blind actions is Power that is uncheck by Knowledge. The Questions is: Is this the age of Modern technical Enlightenment? OR The age of Modern technical ignorance. When blind ignorance and blind arrogant are found among nations! they come in without any consideration for anything, They Just come Marching in and Bulldozing the People and setting up what they what they want to see, and then tell the people this is what we want to see established,with total disregard for the people's lives,their way of Life and their culture. This is the epitome of ignorance.
ALLAH Almighty has warned the Muslims against following the ways of the Jews, whom He is angry with, because they chose to disobey Him after He has sent down to them the knowledge and the true guidance. ALLAH has also commanded the Muslims to avoid the Christians ways, for they attribtes to Allah that which He has prohibited without knowledge, and are thus lost in the darkness of misguidance. Allah has ordered the Muslims to ask Him for guidance to the Straight Path, which entails acquiring knowledge of the Truth and abiding by it. When one acquires knowledge about Islam and then implements it, he will, in fact, be renouncing all those who indulge in Bidah (innovation in the religion) and misguidance. One of our Salaf (righteous ancestors) once stated that,Whoever worships Allah with ignorance, he will bring about more harm then benfit, Ignorance is a major reason why many Muslims fall into all types of Haram (the prohibitions) and Bidahs, as Imam Ibn Taymiyyah has stated, What brings about the benefit of the son of Adam are Iman and working the good deeds. What nullifies those two are ignorance the opposite of knowledge which will misguide such people, and also following the desires and what the heart wants, thus making such people among the defiant rebels and the cursed persons.
When we reach this awareness, we find that 'JAHILIYAH'(IGNORANCE) means error, going astray, deviation from Allah's straight path, and negligence in His worship. That is because 'jahiliyah', in the Qur'anic viewpoint, means a religion and lifestyle that follows a line contrary to the line of Islam in nature and aim. It follows the line of deviation from the path of True religion and ALLAH's 'Shari'ah' (Law) which guides man.
In the present days, ignorance in the religion has become widespread. This is a sign of the Last Hour, as Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi wassalam) has informed us. Anas narrated that Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi wassalam) said, Raising up knowledge while ignorance remaining (on earth) is a Sign of the (Last) Hour[Al-Bukhari, Muslim & ibn Majah]. Also, Abu Hurayrah reported that Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi wassalam) said,Time will be shortened, the knowledge will be raised up, the Fitan (trials, calamities, etc.) will appear, stinginess will be widespread and AL-HARAJ will appear in abundance. He was asked, And what is Al-Haraj? He said, Murder![Muslim & ibn Majah]. According to these Hadiths, knowledge of the religion will be raised up just before the Last Hour commences. Ibn Hajar said in Fatïh Al-Bari, This Hadith indicates that ignorance will be so widespread that its opposite knowledge will be scarce, as is evident by Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi wassalam) saying that knowledge will be raised up.Then, only ignorance will remain. Although a few scholars will also remain, they(the scholars) will be much fewer than the ignorant people! Also, Abu Waail said, Once, I was sitting with Abdullah ibn Masud and Abu Musa Al-Ashari who both said that Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi wassalam)has said,There will be days that will come just before the Hour, when knowledge will be raised up, ignorance will be sent down (and spread on earth) and when Al-Haraj and Al-Maraj (murder and violence) will be in abundance! [Al-Bukhari & Muslim].
Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi wassalam) has stated that knowledge of the religion will be raised up in several other authentic Hadiths, such as, ALLAH will not raise up knowledge by erasing it from the slaves (hearts), but He will raise up knowledge by bringing death to the scholars (when their appointed terms expire). When He has not left a scholar, people will then appoint ignorant leaders (or false scholars), and will ask them and they will give Fatwa (religious decrees) without knowledge, and will thus be misguided and also a source for misguidance.[Al-Bukhari, Ahmad & ibn Majah].
Imam An-Nawawi said,This Hadith explains what raising up the knowledge means in the previous Hadiths, that is, not by erasing it from people hearts, but by the death of the scholars who carry such knowledge. Then, people will seek some ignorant peopie who will rule with their ignorance, thus becoming misguided themselves and will also misguide others Issuing Fatwas without knowledge is indeed a major sin and Bidah. ALLAH said, Say (O Mohammad),(But) the things that my Rabb has forbidden are great evil sins whether committed openly or secretly, sins of all kinds, unrighteous oppression, joining partners in worship with ALLAH for which He has given no authority, and saying things about ALLAH of which you have no knowledge[7:33].
Imam ibn Al-Qayyim said,The origin of Kufr and Shirk comes from saying about Allah without knowledge, which is one of the most prohibited acts in the Sight of ALLAH. It produces the most harmful effects, because it entails lying with regards to Allah and describing Him with what is not appropriate. This also entails changing and altering ALLAH religion, denying what He has approved while approving what He has denied, implementing what He has rejected while rejecting what He has commanded to be carried out, hating those who are His loyalists while taking His enemies as loyal friends, detesting what He loves while loving what He hates, and describing Him with what is not appropriate with regards to His Attributes, Speech and Actions.
Allah has prohibited for His slaves to issue religious decrees that proclaim a matter as either prohibited or allowed in the religion without knowledge or proof from the Quran or Sunnah.. He said, And say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely,This is lawful and this is forbidden,so as to invent lies against Allah. Verily, those who invent lies against Allah will never prosper. [16:116],
And verily, among them is a party who distort the Book with their tongues (while they read it), so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say, This is from Allah,but it is not from Allah; and they speak a lie against Allah while they know it. [3:78].
Inventing a lie against Allah is a major sin and a dangerous path to take, and indeed an act of transgression against Allah that also misguides people, "Then who does more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead mankind astray without knowledge. Certainly, Allah guides not the people who are wrongdoers." [6:144]
This Ayah states that there is no greater evil than for one to prohibit what Allah has allowed or to allow what He has prohibited. This Ayah emphasizes the grave mistake and miscalculation of those who invent a Bidïah and thus relate to Allah what He did not legislate. We have presented ample evidence from the Quran and Sunnah emphasizing the importance of avoiding issuing religious decrees or indulging in what one has no knowledge of. The religion and also sound minds agree that it is better for people to merely say, I do not know,about what they do not know. When people see that such persons fear Allah and are cautious with regards the religion, they will only respect and appreciate them more. The true Muslim never utters a saying without knowledge, taking the example of the best and most knowledgeable of all mankind, Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi wassalam) , who used to say, I do not have knowledge in this,when asked about what ALLAH did not yet reveal to him. Also, the companions, especially the most knowledgeable among them, used to be cautious when asked about matters of the religion. Abu Bakr once said,Which sky will cover me and which earth will carry me, if I say about the Book of Allah that which I have no knowledge!
It is amazing that some Muslims in this present day time discard this much needed caution, as they rush to give answers about various matters and aspects of the religion, without having the necessary knowledge, and often with arrogance and defiance, thus allowing what ALLAH has prohibited or prohibiting what ALLAH has permitted. Muslims are obliged to seek knowledge in Islam from its true resources, the Book of ALLAH and the Sunnah of His Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi wassalam), according to the way the companions understood and implemented them. They are also obliged to seek matters of Ijmaa where the entire community of scholars agree on a matter of the religion. This is the True Path and the way of the Saved Group. Therefore, it is necessary to have fear (of) from ALLAH, to seek knowledge in the religion and to know that he whom ALLAH wants his good, He will grant him knowledge in the(Din) religion. And when you seek the knowledge of Islam, seek it for the sake of ALLAH Alone and intend to implement it as soon as you learn it. But do not seek knowledge merely to gain access to fame, positions or winning arguments. And make all your deeds sincere for the sake of ALLAH, and pray that ALLAH accepts your deeds, for He is the One Who accepts the supplication from His slaves.