What is your opinion on the issue of excuse for ignorance in matters of ‘Aqidah?
Question:
"What is your opinion on the issue of excuse for ignorance, especially in matters of `Aqidah (creed)?"
Answer:
"Aqidah is the most important issue and the greatest obligation. It is basically Iman (faith) in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Day of Judgement, and predestination; good and bad. It is also having faith that Allah is the only one worthy of worship, and testifying that to Allah (Exalted be He). By saying La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah), a believer is testifying that nothing should be truly worshipped other than Allah (Exalted be He), and testifying that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah whom Allah sent to both the Jinn (creatures created from fire) and mankind, and he (peace be upon him) is the seal of the prophets. This is essential, as it is the core of the `Aqidah. It is the basis of the Din (religion) and the creed. It is also obligatory to have Iman in what Allah (Exalted be He) and His Prophet (peace be upon him) have informed us of. For example, Day of Judgement, Jannah (Paradise) and Hell-fire, reward and punishment, spreading of books (of accountability on the Day of Resurrection), taking your book with your right or your left hand, the measuring your deeds, and others which were revealed in the Qur'an and Hadith. Ignorance of this cannot be an excuse, as it is obligatory on a believer to know this and look into it, and he will not be excused if he claims to be ignorant of these aspects, since he lives among the Muslims and has access to the Qur'an and Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). This person is called heedless, oblivious and foolish concerning this great matter. As for those who are far away from the Muslims, for instance, living in non-Muslim countries and neither the Qur'an nor the Sunnah has reached him, then he is excused. His judgement is that of Ahl-ul-Fatrah (people having no access to Divine Messages) and if he dies in this state, he will be of Ahl-ul-Fatrah who will be tested on the Day of Judgement. He who responds and obeys the command will enter Paradise, and he who disobeys, will enter Hell-fire. As for the matters which are sometimes unclear, for example some of the rules of Prayer, Zakah (obligatory charity) or Hajj, then a person may be excused for ignorance and there is nothing wrong in it. This is because it is unclear and vague to many people, and not everyone can understand it. It is obligatory that a believer has to seek knowledge, understand the religion and ask those who have knowledge. Allah (Exalted be He) says:
{So ask the people of the Scripture, if you do not know} [Surah An-Nahl 16-42]
Also, it has been narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to a group who gave a legal opinion (Fatwa) without any knowledge: "Did they not ask if they did not know, for the cure of ignorance is to ask."[1]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "He whom Allah wills good, gives him religious knowledge."[2]
It is obligatory for Muslim males and females to understand and comprehend the religion, and to inquire about anything which they do not know. They should not remain quiet if they are unsure about anything, and they should not avoid it or be heedless, for they have been created to worship and obey Allah (Exalted be He). There is no way this can be implemented unless a person has knowledge. You cannot acquire knowledge without inquiring and asking. It is essential to acquire knowledge and it is essential, too, to ask those who have Islamic knowledge so as to make knowledge accessible to the ignorant."
[1] Related by Abu Dawud, Book on purification, Chapter on the wounded can perform Tayammum, no. 336.
[2] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, Book on knowledge, Chapter on when Allah desires good for someone, He gives him correct understanding in religion, no. 71.
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, Ruling on excuse for ignorance in issues relating to Tawhid. Question number 22, tape number 155.
"What is your opinion on the issue of excuse for ignorance, especially in matters of `Aqidah (creed)?"
Answer:
"Aqidah is the most important issue and the greatest obligation. It is basically Iman (faith) in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Day of Judgement, and predestination; good and bad. It is also having faith that Allah is the only one worthy of worship, and testifying that to Allah (Exalted be He). By saying La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah), a believer is testifying that nothing should be truly worshipped other than Allah (Exalted be He), and testifying that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah whom Allah sent to both the Jinn (creatures created from fire) and mankind, and he (peace be upon him) is the seal of the prophets. This is essential, as it is the core of the `Aqidah. It is the basis of the Din (religion) and the creed. It is also obligatory to have Iman in what Allah (Exalted be He) and His Prophet (peace be upon him) have informed us of. For example, Day of Judgement, Jannah (Paradise) and Hell-fire, reward and punishment, spreading of books (of accountability on the Day of Resurrection), taking your book with your right or your left hand, the measuring your deeds, and others which were revealed in the Qur'an and Hadith. Ignorance of this cannot be an excuse, as it is obligatory on a believer to know this and look into it, and he will not be excused if he claims to be ignorant of these aspects, since he lives among the Muslims and has access to the Qur'an and Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). This person is called heedless, oblivious and foolish concerning this great matter. As for those who are far away from the Muslims, for instance, living in non-Muslim countries and neither the Qur'an nor the Sunnah has reached him, then he is excused. His judgement is that of Ahl-ul-Fatrah (people having no access to Divine Messages) and if he dies in this state, he will be of Ahl-ul-Fatrah who will be tested on the Day of Judgement. He who responds and obeys the command will enter Paradise, and he who disobeys, will enter Hell-fire. As for the matters which are sometimes unclear, for example some of the rules of Prayer, Zakah (obligatory charity) or Hajj, then a person may be excused for ignorance and there is nothing wrong in it. This is because it is unclear and vague to many people, and not everyone can understand it. It is obligatory that a believer has to seek knowledge, understand the religion and ask those who have knowledge. Allah (Exalted be He) says:
{So ask the people of the Scripture, if you do not know} [Surah An-Nahl 16-42]
Also, it has been narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to a group who gave a legal opinion (Fatwa) without any knowledge: "Did they not ask if they did not know, for the cure of ignorance is to ask."[1]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "He whom Allah wills good, gives him religious knowledge."[2]
It is obligatory for Muslim males and females to understand and comprehend the religion, and to inquire about anything which they do not know. They should not remain quiet if they are unsure about anything, and they should not avoid it or be heedless, for they have been created to worship and obey Allah (Exalted be He). There is no way this can be implemented unless a person has knowledge. You cannot acquire knowledge without inquiring and asking. It is essential to acquire knowledge and it is essential, too, to ask those who have Islamic knowledge so as to make knowledge accessible to the ignorant."
[1] Related by Abu Dawud, Book on purification, Chapter on the wounded can perform Tayammum, no. 336.
[2] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, Book on knowledge, Chapter on when Allah desires good for someone, He gives him correct understanding in religion, no. 71.
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, Ruling on excuse for ignorance in issues relating to Tawhid. Question number 22, tape number 155.