Page 28 - The Religion Of The Ignorant

THE RELIGION OF THE IGNORANT

from Allah and His good pleasure. The life of this world is nothing
but the enjoyment of delusion. (Surat al-Hadid, 20)
The above verse emphasizes how boasting and display, major
characteristics of the Religion of the Ignorant, are widespread
among people. In Islam, the greatest aim in life is to gain the ap-
proval of Allah, whereas in the Ignorantism, the greatest aim is to at-
tain that of other people. In the Religion of the Ignorant, display is
therefore of vital importance. Being liked, admired, approved of or
envied is more important than anything else. In this false religion
people dress, speak, decorate their homes, or choose professions to
impress those around them. Their greatest aim in everything they
do is to gain others' approval. When they go to a bookshop, for in-
stance, they look at the bestsellers rather than at books about the
subjects that actually interest them. When choosing a book they
wonder which will be most "cool" and in line with current fashion,
because their aim is not to advance their experiences, knowledge or
personality, but to have something to tell others about.
In raising their children, a great many people take pains to en-
sure that their children acquire attributes that those around them
approve of, whether these be right or wrong, rather than trying to
help them become patient, tolerant, devout, compassionate or gen-
erous. For example, they send their children to the most prestigious
schools, hire piano teachers even though their children have no tal-
ent, allow children to call them by their first names in order to show
off to their friends that raising an arrogant child is perfectly accept-
able. In Ignorantism, a child is an important opportunity for dis-
play. For the sake of the parents' prestige among their
acquaintances, it is most important for their child to study at a good
school, know various foreign languages, to dress attractively, be
popular and have many talents. Indeed, when adherents of the

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