Being excused for not knowing the principles and rulings of Islam
Question:
"Discussing the doctrinal issue of offering proof against a dissenter of fundamental issues, we - a group of students - differed. Some maintained that he is excused for his ignorance, as in all Islamic issues, for there is no difference between the Islamic fundamentals and the detailed issues, or between the evident and complex. Others said that he is only excused for ignorance in complex Islamic matters, not the fundamentals of faith, for there is no excuse whatsoever for whoever commits Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) or devotes his worship to graves, stones, and trees besides Allah. No Muslim is unaware of such matters and if he does so, he is not a Muslim. As for the detailed issues of faith, the ignorance of some rulings might be excused until evidence is presented. What is the correct position in this regard? Please advise. May Allah reward you."
Answer:
"No one is excused for his/her unawareness of the articles of faith and fundamentals of Islam, if the message of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace be upon him) is conveyed to him/her. Allah states,
{...this Qur’ân has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach.} [Surah Al-Anam 6:19]
He also says,
{This (Qur’an) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby} [Surah Ibraheem 14:52]
Similar Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) convey the same meaning. As for the subsidiary matters whose rulings may seem ambiguous, ignorance is declared as an excuse until the proof is set, as there are many Hadiths related in this regard.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions."
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullaah bin Baaz
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh
Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of the Permanent Committee, Group 2, Volume 1: `Aqidah, Acts commensurate with Kufr. The third question of Fatwa no. 17749.
"Discussing the doctrinal issue of offering proof against a dissenter of fundamental issues, we - a group of students - differed. Some maintained that he is excused for his ignorance, as in all Islamic issues, for there is no difference between the Islamic fundamentals and the detailed issues, or between the evident and complex. Others said that he is only excused for ignorance in complex Islamic matters, not the fundamentals of faith, for there is no excuse whatsoever for whoever commits Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) or devotes his worship to graves, stones, and trees besides Allah. No Muslim is unaware of such matters and if he does so, he is not a Muslim. As for the detailed issues of faith, the ignorance of some rulings might be excused until evidence is presented. What is the correct position in this regard? Please advise. May Allah reward you."
Answer:
"No one is excused for his/her unawareness of the articles of faith and fundamentals of Islam, if the message of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace be upon him) is conveyed to him/her. Allah states,
{...this Qur’ân has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach.} [Surah Al-Anam 6:19]
He also says,
{This (Qur’an) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby} [Surah Ibraheem 14:52]
Similar Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) convey the same meaning. As for the subsidiary matters whose rulings may seem ambiguous, ignorance is declared as an excuse until the proof is set, as there are many Hadiths related in this regard.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions."
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullaah bin Baaz
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh
Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of the Permanent Committee, Group 2, Volume 1: `Aqidah, Acts commensurate with Kufr. The third question of Fatwa no. 17749.