Details on the matter of ignorance being an excuse
Question:
“What is the position of the Salaf (righteous predecessors, may Allah be merciful with them) like Ibn Taymiyyah and the Imam Ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhab on the matter of being excused due to ignorance? Does this exist? Is it recognised by the Salaf, or is it Batil (null/void) with no origin in the matters of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/monotheism)?”
Answer:
“Ignorance may or may not be an excuse. If the Mukallaf (person meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions) is far away from the Muslims and from the people of knowledge, like those who are brought up in countries far away from the Muslims countries who have not been informed of the message or the Qur'an or Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) then this person is excused for his ignorance. He will be judged in the same way that Ahl-ul-Fatrah (people having no access to Divine Messages) and on the Day of Judgement they will be tested. If they obey, they will enter paradise, and if they disobey, they will enter Hellfire. A person can also be excused due to ignorance in small matters of Islam which are unknown to many people, in the same way that the Prophet (peace be upon him) excused the man who wore a garment and lots of perfume while he was in the state of Ihram (ceremonial state for Hajj and `Umrah) for 'Umrah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Remove your garment off, wash off the perfume, and perform in your 'Umrah what you perform in your Hajj.”[1] He (peace be upon him) did not ask him to offer compensation for wearing a garment or perfume because of his ignorance of the ruling.
Ignorance is an excuse for matters which are unknown by many people in minor issues, or for those who reside at a distance from the Muslims and have no access to knowledge of the Qur'an or Sunnah; like countries which are far from the Muslim countries. Also, like Ahl-ul-Fatrah who did not have access to the message. Those people are excused for their ignorance, and the truth is that they will be judged on the Day of Judgement. Whoever then obeys what is asked of them will enter Jannah (Paradise), and he who disobeys will enter Hellfire. As for those who are among Muslims and hear the Qur'an and Sunnah, there is no excuse in either matters of `Aqidah (doctrine) nor in other areas, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states:
{...this Qur’ân has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach.} [Surah Al-An’am 6-19]
Allah revealed the Qur'an to warn people, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was also sent as a warner. Thu, the Qur'an is a warner and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is also a warner. Therefore, whoever gets hold of the Qur'an and Sunnah and lives among the Muslims is not excused. One is obliged to ask, gain knowledge of Islam and learn. Allah is the One sought for help.
[1] Related by Al-Bukhari, Book on Hajj, Chapter on doing in `Umrah what is done in Hajj, no. 1789; and Muslim, Book on Hajj, Chapter on what is permissible to a Muhrim, no. 1180.
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him.
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Nur `Ala Al-Darb, Volume 1, Chapter on `Aqidah, Chapter on being excused out of ignorance, Elaboration in the issue of excuse for being ignorant. Question number 12, tape number 152.
“What is the position of the Salaf (righteous predecessors, may Allah be merciful with them) like Ibn Taymiyyah and the Imam Ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhab on the matter of being excused due to ignorance? Does this exist? Is it recognised by the Salaf, or is it Batil (null/void) with no origin in the matters of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/monotheism)?”
Answer:
“Ignorance may or may not be an excuse. If the Mukallaf (person meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions) is far away from the Muslims and from the people of knowledge, like those who are brought up in countries far away from the Muslims countries who have not been informed of the message or the Qur'an or Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) then this person is excused for his ignorance. He will be judged in the same way that Ahl-ul-Fatrah (people having no access to Divine Messages) and on the Day of Judgement they will be tested. If they obey, they will enter paradise, and if they disobey, they will enter Hellfire. A person can also be excused due to ignorance in small matters of Islam which are unknown to many people, in the same way that the Prophet (peace be upon him) excused the man who wore a garment and lots of perfume while he was in the state of Ihram (ceremonial state for Hajj and `Umrah) for 'Umrah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Remove your garment off, wash off the perfume, and perform in your 'Umrah what you perform in your Hajj.”[1] He (peace be upon him) did not ask him to offer compensation for wearing a garment or perfume because of his ignorance of the ruling.
Ignorance is an excuse for matters which are unknown by many people in minor issues, or for those who reside at a distance from the Muslims and have no access to knowledge of the Qur'an or Sunnah; like countries which are far from the Muslim countries. Also, like Ahl-ul-Fatrah who did not have access to the message. Those people are excused for their ignorance, and the truth is that they will be judged on the Day of Judgement. Whoever then obeys what is asked of them will enter Jannah (Paradise), and he who disobeys will enter Hellfire. As for those who are among Muslims and hear the Qur'an and Sunnah, there is no excuse in either matters of `Aqidah (doctrine) nor in other areas, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states:
{...this Qur’ân has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach.} [Surah Al-An’am 6-19]
Allah revealed the Qur'an to warn people, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was also sent as a warner. Thu, the Qur'an is a warner and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is also a warner. Therefore, whoever gets hold of the Qur'an and Sunnah and lives among the Muslims is not excused. One is obliged to ask, gain knowledge of Islam and learn. Allah is the One sought for help.
[1] Related by Al-Bukhari, Book on Hajj, Chapter on doing in `Umrah what is done in Hajj, no. 1789; and Muslim, Book on Hajj, Chapter on what is permissible to a Muhrim, no. 1180.
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him.
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Nur `Ala Al-Darb, Volume 1, Chapter on `Aqidah, Chapter on being excused out of ignorance, Elaboration in the issue of excuse for being ignorant. Question number 12, tape number 152.