What is the ruling on the saying: "There is no excuse for ignorance in Muslim lands," and does it contradict the saying: "A person is excused for his ignorance"?

Ignorance is not an absolute excuse; rather, it is specific to matters whose knowledge has not become widespread. As for what is known by necessity in the religion, there is no excuse for ignorance of it for one who lives in Muslim lands.

The ignorance of people is not an excuse for learned individuals to abandon their teaching. Rather, it is incumbent upon the people of knowledge to clarify the truth to people, for concealing knowledge leads to damnation.

Striving to teach people and enlighten them about the rulings of the Sacred Law is among the greatest acts of closeness to Allah. A Muslim should strive diligently in acquiring knowledge and teaching it to people, and clarifying the truth to them.