Evils of Ignorance: It's Excuses

The issue of claiming ignorance as an excuse for not knowing or doing that which is correct is an important issue which scholars have differed about. The reason for the difference of opinion has to do with the level of accessibility of knowledge and being able to gain clarity on an issue by asking the people of knowledge.

Today with the advent of the internet, there is little room for claiming not to know by most people. The other issue regarding not knowing is as it relates to people who find out about a ruling but reject it. This constitutes pride and arrogance which could lead a person to punishment in the Hereafter. Imam ash Shafi’i said in regard to this category:

The following two verses show clearly that acting in ignorance may be forgivable, however once knowledge has come to a person, the excuse for not knowing is removed. Allah said:

Knowledge which is the opposite of ignorance is a characteristic of the learned. Allah praises those who have knowledge and act upon it by stating that they are the most God-fearing. They would not have attained that lofty station were it not that they were blessed with knowledge and action. Allah said: