Islam and Ignorance

by Syed Abul A'la Maududi

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

(This article was read before a meeting on February 23, 1941, at the invitation of the `Majlis-i Islamiat', Islamia College, Peshawar)

Table of Content

Islam and Ignorance
The Inter-relation of Opinion and Conduct
The Basic Problems of Life
The Opinion and Attitude of Man towards Life
The Bases of Individual or Collective Behavior are the same
Different Solutions of the Problems of Life
First Solution - Sheer Ignorance
Conduct based on Sheer Sensorial Experience
Characteristics of the Society built upon this Conduct
The Second Solution
(1) Polytheism
Characteristics of the Polytheistic Behavior
Life full of Superstitions
Endless Cycles of Rituals
Frauds committed by Impostors
A Life of Errors
(2) Monasticism
The Effects of Monasticism
Individualism instead of Collectivism
Good Men become Hermits
Smooth Fodder for every Tyrant
Conflict with Human Nature
(3) Everything is God
The Third Solution - Islam
The Viewpoint of the Prophets about Man and the Universe
Sovereignty Lies with God
Subservience of Man
Boundaries of Action
The World is a Place of Trial
Scrutiny of the Islamic Viewpoint
A Scientific Concept
A Practicable Creed
Impact of the Islamic Ideology
Impact on Individual Life
Impact on Collective Life
The Sovereignty of God