What is meant by the ignorance mentioned in the noble verse where the Prophet of God Moses (peace be upon him) sought refuge in God from being among the ignorant, knowing that absolute knowledge belongs to God alone, and human knowledge is limited and necessitates their ignorance?
Ignorance (al-jahl) refers to a lack of knowledge, or the failure to act upon knowledge, and bad character. This is the meaning of "ignorance" (al-jahalah) in the Qur’an, such as in His Almighty’s saying: (Indeed, the repentance accepted by Allah is only for those who do evil in ignorance) [An-Nisa 4:17], and His saying: (and be among the ignorant) [Al-An'am 6:35], and (I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant) [Al-Baqarah 2:67]. So, "ignorance" here means foolishness and committing evil deeds, or failing to act upon what is known. Mocking people is considered a form of ignorance and foolishness. If ignorance is interpreted as the negation of knowledge, then what is meant is the negation of the ignorance that disgraces a person, not the absolute negation of knowledge.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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