ভূমিকা

“Ignorance is the root of all evils.”[^2] Short Expalantion Ignorance is a state that exists within humans and one who possesses it advances towards darkness, whereas one who keeps it away from himself reaches luminosity and acquires discernment and insight. If a person chooses an incorrect path for himself and permits ignorance to guide him in his actions, he would be looked upon as a sinner and of the inmates of Hell.

However, if he sets about on the correct path, and acts on the basis of knowledge and cognizance, he shall be of the delivered ones. Being pleased and satisfied over one’s actions is the key that opens the door of ignorance and the worst trait of an ignorant person is to claim to possess knowledge despite being ignorant. An ignorant person, upon noticing his own faults, does not experience uneasiness and discomfort, and upon being advised, does not pay heed to it.

Despite having knowledge of his ignorance (called simple ignorance) he still commits blunders. The Ignorant Commander Ya’qub Laith Saffar (d. 265 ah) had a commander by the name of Ibrahim who despite being brave and courageous, was extremely ignorant. Once during winter, Ya’qub ordered that his personal winter clothes be given to Ibrahim. Ibrahim had a servant by the name of Ahmad Ibn ‘Abdullah, who had hatred towards him.

When Ibrahim returned home, Ahmad asked him: “Don’t you know that whomsoever Ya’qub Laith gives his personal clothes, he puts that person to death within that week?” “Oh no! I was not aware of this. What is the way out?” asked Ibrahim. Ahmad suggested to him that he should flee from there. He even agreed to accompany Ibrahim and arranged to meet him the following day.

Later, Ahmad secretly went to Ya’qub Laith and informed him that Ibrahim was intending to flee to Sistan from where he would initiate a rebellion against Ya’qub Laith. Ya’qub pondered for a while and was on the verge of ordering his army to prepare for battle with Ibrahim when Ahmad made a request. “Allow me to single-handedly bring Ibrahim’s severed head before you,” he said to Ya’qub. Ya’qub Laith agreed.