How to deal with the Ignorant
What is the view of the Holy Qur’an regarding the way of dealing with ignorant people?
According to The Holy Qur’an the best way to deal with the ignorant is to be patient and turn away from them. In surah al-Furqan, God says, “when the ignorant address them, say, ‘Salam!’” This greeting from “the servants of the All-beneficent” is a sign of indifference combined with benevolence and is not out of weakness. “Salam” in this verse is rooted in not reciprocating the ignorant’s action. Another verse advises believers to forgive the ignorant. It is also recommended to turn away from ignorant people so that they do not harm the believers and also the believers are not involved in quarrels and are not influenced by them.
Meaning of the Ignorant in Hadiths
Imam Ali (a) said, “Ignorant is someone who does not know himself and is not aware of the value of himself.” He also has been quoted, “ignorant is someone who follows his whims in disobedience of his Lord.” According to these hadith, the real ignorant person is the one who does not know his true value and is unaware of the tasks assigned to him. These people are attached to their wishful dreams.
Patience and Forbearance
In surah al-Furqan God says, “and when the ignorant address them, say, ‘Salam!’” (25:63). Various interpretations have been given about this verse. Commenting on this verse, Ayatollah Makarim Shirazi says, “and when the ignorant address them and engage in ignorance, quarrel, and obscene words, they say “salam” in response. A “salam” that is a sign of indifference combined with benevolence, not out of weakness. A “salam” to avoid reciprocating the ignorant’s acts. This “salam” is not a sign of affection, relationship or friendship.”
This verse mentions forbearance in dealing with the ignorant. This is one of the important factors in dealing with ignorant people. One of the justifications for this type of treatment is the hope that they will become aware of their ignorance and quit intransigence so that they are prepared to accept the truth and the guidance. The Holy Qur’an says, “Good and evil [conduct] are not equal. Repel [evil] with what is best. [If you do so,] behold, he between whom and you was enmity, will be as though he were a sympathetic friend.” (41:34)
Turning Away from the Ignorant
Ignorance has different stages. Sometimes an appropriate and peaceful reaction leads to reformation, awakening and awareness of the ignorant. But sometimes an ignorant person cannot be guided and even the person trying to inform him will be negatively affected. In this case, one should avoid the ignorant as it is advised in the Qur’an, “Adopt [a policy of] excusing [the faults of people], bid what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” (7:199)
Interpreting this verse, Tafsir nemuneh says, “On their path, leaders and missionaries encounter bigoted, stubborn, ignorant and uninformed people who are much lower than their intellectual and moral level. Quarrel is not the suitable way to overcome this problem; rather, the best way is to have tolerance, patience, or ignorance toward such people’s actions. Moreover, the conduct of the faithful in dealing with the ignorant is not paying attention to their behaviors and insults but rather ignoring them. If the faithful want to reciprocate or defend themselves against these people, they will inevitability be drawn to act vainly and ignorantly.”
Note
- This article is mainly taken from "شیوه برخورد با افراد جاهل" on Persian Wikipasokh.