On blissful ignorance
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not look for the others’ faults and do not spy, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert (cut your relation with) one another, and do not hate one another; and O Allah’s worshipers! Be brothers (as Allah has ordered you!”)
– Sahih al-Bukhari 6064
Two kinds of ignorance:
As we discussed in yesterday’s reminder, Knowledge is one of the noblest pursuits and best investments a person can make in themselves. The trickle-down effect of this impact is greater than yourself; it affects everything and everyone you’ll know.
“Whenever an elder dies, a library burns down.”
– African Proverb
The collected wisdom and knowledge accumulated over a person’s lifetime will follow them to the grave. That is unless they’ve taken the time to be generous and share that knowledge with others. In this case, they will receive sadaqah jariyah for everyone who benefited from that knowledge.
Narrated Abu Hurairah:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying:
When a man dies, his action discontinues from him except three things, namely, perpetual sadaqah (charity), or the knowledge by which benefit is acquired, or a pious child who prays for him.
Sahih (Al-Albani)
Sunan Abi Dawud 2880
One step further would be to put one’s findings in written form and share them with the others. You don’t need permission or have to be a published author to do so: just a pen and paper or a computer and a keyboard.
Generally, we should avoid ignorance and approach truth as much as possible. Undoubtedly, we are affected by what we know, the accumulation of knowledge, or the lack of knowledge. This type of ignorance is not blissful.
However, there is a second kind of ignorance that can be beneficial.
The Prophet (ﷺ) mentions in this hadith, “do not look for the others’ faults and do not spy.”
If granted the ability, would you like to know every mean or hurtful thing that was spoken about you by friends, colleagues, and strangers?
I doubt it.
This kind of information would be the quickest way to erode all peace and a sure path to becoming miserable. Some things are better not known; we should always give people the benefit of the doubt. As the Prophet (ﷺ) says, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales.”
We can say the same criticism of the news media, which often follows the “if it bleeds, it leads” model. This means the top stories in the news almost always involve some kind of violence, crime, disaster, or other tragic events.
Staying up to date with local news and happenings from around the world is important. But there is a fine line between staying informed and maintaining one’s mental health. Too much news, and you can develop an inherent distrust in humanity, and everything will begin to appear as a threat.
What’s real is what the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advocated for, which is to strengthen our bond with one another. To avoid needlessly cutting ties and severing relationships. In today’s climate, we have an increased lack of community, and it’s no wonder loneliness and depression are also on the rise.
This Ramadan, let any negative emotions or hurt you may have felt go, and let’s try to rebuild our relationships and community.
And as Prophet (ﷺ) concluded,
“do not hate one another; and O Allah’s worshipers! Be brothers (as Allah has ordered you!”)
