Who are those who know and those who do not know as stated in the 9th verse in the surah az-Zumar? Who is called an ignorant person?
Dear Brother / Sister,
“Say: "Are they ever equal, those who know and those who do not know? " Only the people of discernment will reflect (on the distinction between knowledge and ignorance, and obedience to God and disobedience,) and be mindful.” (the Qur’an, az-Zumar 39:9)
In this verse, the difference between the ones who consider God’s various works and blessings and as a result of this consideration decide on the belief in the oneness of God and the ones who remain unwary and stray from the right path is emphasized.
Ignorant, ignorance: They are used to describe a person who does not know how to do something, who has no experience and in every day speech, who is unaware of knowledge and understanding. The state of an ignorant person is called ignorance. Ignorance also means to be against knowledge and not to know.
Knowledge means to know; knowledge is the best of everything, whereas ignorance is the opposite of it, the worst of everything. While people who possess knowledge are considered respected and praiseworthy people, ignorant people are always looked down on.
The Qur’an describes the deniers as people “who are quite heedless (of truth) in an abyss of ignorance.” (the Qur’an, adh-Dhariyat, 51:11). And in order to avoid the ignorant people, believers are commanded:” (Even so, O Messenger) adopt the way of forbearance and tolerance, and enjoin what is good and right, and withdraw from the ignorant ones (do not care what they say or do).” (the Qur’an, Al-A’raf, 7:199). People who lack of knowledge are like the blind: “Are they ever equal, those who know and those who do not know” ( the Qur’an, az-Zumar 39:9). “Similarly those who can see and who cannot are not equal”
Ignorant people try to get away from those who have chosen the guidance of knowledge and truth to lead them and who are clever because the ignorant people who have been infected with delusions of grandeur understand nothing from the knowledgeable people who are modest. The ignorant people can only see the external appearance and crust of everything. They think they know everything and claim nonsense stuff. However, they cannot comprehend that there is a perceivable side behind the visible side. Their precautions and thoughts are rootless and weak. For this reason, “The ignorant people have been described as “living dead”; “dead while alive”. Jesus (peace be upon him) said, “I managed to bring the dead back to life but I could not do it to the ignorant people”.
Among people, there is a well-known expression that people consider as a hadith: “the enmity of an intelligent person is better that the friendship of an ignorant person”.
Ali (may God be pleased with him) said, “People envy the one who are wise. And the ignorant people become enemies for those who are wise”. In the past, In Islamic societies, when people were angry with a wise person, he was imprisoned next to an ignorant person and forced to live with him as a punishment. This is why, the expression “Even if you give a dime to an ignorant person, do not indulge him”.
Questions on Islam
- How did the people in the past understand the stages of three veils of darkness in verse 6 of the chapter of az-Zumar?
- Will we be held responsible for the sins that we commit unknowingly? That is, is there a difference between a person who commits a sin deliberately and a person who commits a sin without knowing that it is a sin?
- If Allah forgives all sins, why does He not forgive polytheism (shirk)?
- What is the meaning of the two centromeres in human chromosome?
- Question 38: Does belief in Allah prevent scientific research?
- Roundness of the Earth
- Does martyrdom eliminate major sins as kaffarah (atonement)?
- Is denial possible?
- What are the great sins?
- Will you give some information about the importance Islam gives to science and technology? Is the cause of the ignorance and underdevelopment of the Islamic world today the religion of Islam?
