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IGNORANCE
Ignorance
(cehalet ) is derived from the verb of “ to ignore”
(cehl). It is widely used in the sense of “Uninformed”
but is has also other meanings.
“jehl” has
the meanings of : not to know, not to recognise, behave
rudely, to offend someone and boil with anger.
“jahil”
– ignorant – is someone who has the ignorance,
deprived of knowledge, who behave immature and impertinent.
It is the subject noun for the verb “jehl “
In the Noble Quran this
verb and its derivatives “ jahil, jehalet, jahiliyye,
jehul” are used. Jehalet – ignorance- express
the state of being ignorant, being surrounded by ignorance.
In Islamic culture ,jehalet
- ignorance and jahiliyye - nascence are the concepts that
defines the behaviours , lives, understanding and systems
of people and societies who do not believe in Islam.
According to this definition
there are two systems which include morals, principles of
faith, ways of thinking and behaviour, ethical rules and
which give them a shape: One of them is the religion of
Allah, Islam and the other is regardless of their names
systems of jahiliyye or religions of jahiliyye. shirk -to
attribute partners to God, is the name of their state of
faith , jahiliyye is the name of these system’s attitudes,
behaviour and morals.
In Pre-Islam people
of Jahiliyye were deprived of the true knowledge by which
a healthy society and human attitudes are formed. And because
they didn’t have the Book and the Prophet who will
show the right way, they are far from having good behaviours.
They were rude and harsh because they were deprived of knowledge,
education and understanding which makes possible to act
in a matured way.
Jahiliyye is a common
name of attitudes and understanding which are based on “Jehalet”.
Acts of the people who have such opinions are led by ignorant
thoughts and beliefs. They see the limitless of desires
as true because they do not have real information, a knowledge
that will lead a person to Truth and right way. So they
suppose that it is right to worship to idols, to be against
Allah and to Prophets. They think having wealth and prosperity
as being superior and do not want to be together with poor
people (1).
(1) Chapter Hûd,
11/20.
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While Muslims act in
patience, in dignity and composure, ignorant ones act harsh
and rude, thoughtless and frivolous. That is because they
are stirred up by mistaken zeal. They get angry uselessly
and they have rage and wrath. So they can’t act in
accordance with Truth and justice.
The Noble Quran defines
this situation as “mistaken zeal”. When unbelievers
put their hearts this “ mistaken zeal” Allah
descend his tranquility (sekine) – which calms the
hearts – over Muslims and hold them faithful to the
word of piety (taqwa) and unification (tewhid) (1).
As it is mentioned above
jahiliyye (ignorance) is not only the name of Pre- Islamic
polytheists’ era. People’s lives before Islam
are also described as “jahiliyye”. In addition
to this jahiliyye is a common name for all attitudes, behaviors
based on ignorance; for all systems and rules that don’t
stem from Islam .Because Islam and its commands are based
on a true knowledge which comes from Allah. Others stem
from people’s surmises that derive from their desires
and superficial information.
Ignorant behaviors can
be witnessed in all times and places. When we consider the
features of ignorant people we see that “jahiliyye”
may exist in all times.
An interesting example
comes from the era of Medina. By this event Prophet draw
attention to ignorant behaviors and warned his people.
After conversion to
Islam, Ews & Hazrac tribes who had attacked to each
other because of vendettas that last long years terminated
the enmity and became bosom friends. Some day a Jew who
witnessed their pleasant conversation, became jealous sent
a man to remind them old days. When the person did what
was ordered, two sides resolved on war resorting to arms.
When prophet heard this he said:
“O
Muslims! Allah, Allah, be afraid of Allah. Still when I
am among you, after Allah guided you to the right way, do
you invite each other to jahiliyye” (2).
(1) Chapter Fetih, 48/26.
(2) Ibn-i Hisâm.
To Ebu Zer who insulted Bilal Habeshi by saying “son
of the negro woman” Prophet said: “Do you blame
him for his mother’s color? Then you still have the
morals of jahiliyye “(1).
About the people who
nourished Pre Islamic claims, ethnocentrism and patriotism
Prophet said:
“They are not of us “
As another hadith (saying)
of Prophet, it is narrated: “Of my people there are
four habits inherited from jahiliyye which they will not
be able to abandon completely:
- Feeling proud of their nobility
- To malign other’s families
- To expect rainfall by means of stars
- To mourn after a dead person (2).
The Noble Quran says
to Muslim women “do not dress immodestly like Pre-Islamic
times” (3).
Concerning belief, way
of thinking, morals and behavior, taking decisions and about
social relations, believers obey to the commands that Allah
revealed. People who have jahiliyye thought – similar
to Pre Islam – do not recognise Allah commands, do
not approve them and guided by their zeals.
The Noble Quran says:
“Do they then seek after a judgment
of (the Days of) Ignorance? But who for a people whose faith
is assured can give better judgment than Allah?” (4)
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(1) Buhâri.
(2) Müslim
(3) Chapter Ahzab, 33/33.
(4)Chapter Mâide , 5/50.
Jahiliyye
of Today
It will be a mistake
to consider “jahiliyye” simply as Pre-Islamic
period. The name of this era is “jahiliyye”.
But this is the general name for ignorant behaviors and
believes. Similar to Pharaoh who is the symbol of impertinence,
depravity, to think himself as independent of Allah as being
arrogant, disobedience ; jahiliyye is the symbol of ignorance,
ignorant behavior , not to think the consequences of the
acts, not to comprehend Allah and his verses and not to
understand such an evil to rebel against Allah.
Jahiliyye is present
in all times and places where people follow their desires
, become the servant of their carnal passions where commands
of Allah are not approved, assorted idols are worshipped,
exploitation and oppression exist, ethnocentrism and patriotism
are widespread and where truth and justice are not carried
out while the judgments are made. Today just like “jahiliyye”
Allah is forgotten in many places. He and his commands are
not taken into account in life and people’s business.
Let alone to follow the commands he revealed, they are supposed
to be incorrect, imperfect and out of time.
Today many people found
numerous gods and idols instead of Allah whom they forgot.
Just like in Pre Islam, false gods are worshipped. Limits
are not determined by divine source but by desires. The
ones who are powerful have the authority and influence.
Weaker ones are still oppressed and they can’t enjoy
the human rights properly. Gambling, adultery, indecency,
robbery are widely committed, alcohol drinks are consumed
extremely. Interest is assumed as vital point of economy.
Many things determined as evil in Islam are assumed moral.
Women are still bought and sold; their immodest dressing
is considered a part of women rights and modern life.
Briefly, living style
and moral of polytheist society which is described as “jahiliyye”
– ignorance, in Quran still continue with slight difference
today. The Book of Allah, its commands and the next world
are not taken into consideration. This situation is anything
but “jahiliyye”.
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