"Ignorance due to negligence is punishable!" said so the lecturer.
I learnt that today, and I understood it well when I attended a lecture by Sh. Abdul Bari Yahya who is visiting Ireland as part of a promotional tour for Al Maghrib Institute.
The lecture was about the usage of the tongue in accordance to the values, ethos and guidance of Islamic teachings. How useful, or, how lethal can be the tongue. But this is not what I want to discuss here.
It is that statement that got me thinking. Ignorance due to negligence is punishable. Or rather, it got me worried.
Ignorance is a vice, a common feature despite the availability of so much information over the internet, in books, magazines and other periodical publications. yet, we live in a world deteriorating in every sense - politically, economically, morally, environmentally....
Some might argue that ignorance can be a bliss. In the case of a child, a foreigner or an 'outsider', it sure can be a bliss. I was really happy when I was a baby. In those days, I never had to worry about anything other than myself. I cried when I was hungry or when I needed to be comforted. I could also be negligent. Because my thought spanned as far as little brain allowed.
A truck driver can also be exempt from any responsibility in a hospital operating room. Lack of knowledge sometimes can be the reason for not being responsible for something or a situation. And that's great.
We live in a consequential world, though. Our actions, our words and indeed, our thoughts have consequences. There is no denying that if I drove my car with my eyes closed (snoozing) on the wheel, I'd crash - the crash being the consequence of my negligence, and not due to any ignorance.
Therefore, negligence occurs in the presence of knowledge. Ignorance has no excuse in the presence of information (knowledge). Negligence is the presence of a - 'I don't care' - attitude of some. For others, it is - 'I don't give a toss', and so on. But negligence is also being human - being ungodly, imperfect.
This makes me shiver. I know I am going to die. I also know that I am not going to live forever, or for no apparent reason. I know the reason why I live, and why will I die. I also know I will have to face the consequences of my actions and words. If not in this world, then surely in the next. Otherwise it will be an unfair system if this world had originated for no reason other than as a continuation of a random chemical reaction. Life itself is not a chemical reaction. Souls do not have chemical compositions.
I am accountable. Every citizen of the planet is. It also gives me the realisation that I must seek to identify my duties and responsibilities towards my Creator, myself, my family ... towards humanity; and seek the knowledge to fulfil those duties and responsibilities.
Of course, if I was an atheist, I wouldn't have much of a motivation or direction as to what is good/bad and what constitutes my duty and what does not. I am a believer, a Muslim. I know my Creator, my Sustainer has provided me with all the necessary tools, clear signs and information needed to avoid failure due to ignorance. There are quite a few 'known unknowns', but they are beyond my human comprehension. So I am not accountable for those 'known unknowns'.
All praises be to Him who is not negligent. He made negligence an attribute of humans, jinns and animals so we may learn from the consequences of our negligence and improve ourselves. Once bitten, twice shy - that is an improvement.
Ignorance, therefore, does not trump knowledge. Negligence cannot be an excuse when knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge are there in tandem. Everyone would agree with that.
May Allah have Mercy on us!
I learnt that today, and I understood it well when I attended a lecture by Sh. Abdul Bari Yahya who is visiting Ireland as part of a promotional tour for Al Maghrib Institute.
It is that statement that got me thinking. Ignorance due to negligence is punishable. Or rather, it got me worried.
Ignorance is a vice, a common feature despite the availability of so much information over the internet, in books, magazines and other periodical publications. yet, we live in a world deteriorating in every sense - politically, economically, morally, environmentally....
Some might argue that ignorance can be a bliss. In the case of a child, a foreigner or an 'outsider', it sure can be a bliss. I was really happy when I was a baby. In those days, I never had to worry about anything other than myself. I cried when I was hungry or when I needed to be comforted. I could also be negligent. Because my thought spanned as far as little brain allowed.
A truck driver can also be exempt from any responsibility in a hospital operating room. Lack of knowledge sometimes can be the reason for not being responsible for something or a situation. And that's great.
We live in a consequential world, though. Our actions, our words and indeed, our thoughts have consequences. There is no denying that if I drove my car with my eyes closed (snoozing) on the wheel, I'd crash - the crash being the consequence of my negligence, and not due to any ignorance.
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| Ignorance is no excuse for Negligence |
This makes me shiver. I know I am going to die. I also know that I am not going to live forever, or for no apparent reason. I know the reason why I live, and why will I die. I also know I will have to face the consequences of my actions and words. If not in this world, then surely in the next. Otherwise it will be an unfair system if this world had originated for no reason other than as a continuation of a random chemical reaction. Life itself is not a chemical reaction. Souls do not have chemical compositions.
I am accountable. Every citizen of the planet is. It also gives me the realisation that I must seek to identify my duties and responsibilities towards my Creator, myself, my family ... towards humanity; and seek the knowledge to fulfil those duties and responsibilities.
Of course, if I was an atheist, I wouldn't have much of a motivation or direction as to what is good/bad and what constitutes my duty and what does not. I am a believer, a Muslim. I know my Creator, my Sustainer has provided me with all the necessary tools, clear signs and information needed to avoid failure due to ignorance. There are quite a few 'known unknowns', but they are beyond my human comprehension. So I am not accountable for those 'known unknowns'.
All praises be to Him who is not negligent. He made negligence an attribute of humans, jinns and animals so we may learn from the consequences of our negligence and improve ourselves. Once bitten, twice shy - that is an improvement.
Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory)."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2: 255]
Ignorance, therefore, does not trump knowledge. Negligence cannot be an excuse when knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge are there in tandem. Everyone would agree with that.
May Allah have Mercy on us!
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