SaalamAlaikum
This is a simple translation from the speech that Sheikh Tariq Jameel gave when he was in Canada. This speech was a turning point in my life. I will be continuing it in parts. I have added words so that no misunderstanding takes place. If you have feedback, I am all ears.
Man’s Ignorance
This human being is very weak.
Allah himself says, “Man was created weak.” (An-Nisa 4:28)
“Verily, man was created very impatient.” (Al-Maarij 70:19)
“Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant” (Al-Ahzab 33:72)
Certain men are doctors. Some have degrees from Western countries. But even then, Allah says this man is ignorant. Allah didn’t use the word ‘Jahil’ meaning ignorant. But Allah used the word “Jahoolan” which means greatly ignorant.
What does this mean? It means that whatever this man has learned in his 30 or so years. This is very less compared to what he doesn’t know.
Being a doctor, engineer, businessman, scientist or economist, whatever he has learned in 50 years is very less. That what he has not learned or recognized has no limit.
What he has learned has a limit, what he doesn’t know has no limit. Thus in reality, he is ignorant on many matters.
And they are more ignorant than us who have not recognized Allah. That Muslim that runs a simple market stall is very knowledgeable. [People who have market stalls in Asian countries are poor people and are generally looked down upon.]
And that scientist who is a disbeliever is very ignorant and unaware [in matters of the purpose of his life]. Though, he might know minute details of an atom. But since he did not recognize Allah nor Muhammed (saw). And then neither did he acknowledge that there is heaven or hell. Thus, he is ignorant.
Those simple people [Muslims] that dwell in the desert or the ones that live in the mountainous regions, they are far learned than all the scientists [disbelievers]. [This is not to say that science is not important. But rather, this is to imply the great value of faith.]
Why?
Because they know that God is one and that Muhammed (saw) is His Messenger. And there is accountability after death. And then there is heaven and hell. How much he practices is another issue. However, the greatest knowledge that he can acquire in this world has been given to him.