Page 26 - Character Types of the Unbelievers

CHARACTER-TYPES OF THE UNBELIEVERS
wrong, they would reply that they came down to them from previ-
ous generations and, therefore, cannot be abandoned. They do not
dare to examine what they do, or why they do it, because their fore-
bears did the same. In the Qur’an Allah describes this distorted

point of view characteristic of a society of ignorance:
When they are told, “Follow what Allah has sent down to
you,” They say, “We are following what we found our fa-
thers doing.” What, even though their fathers did not un-
derstand a thing and were not guided! (Surat al-Baqara,
170)
The character and way of life required of a member of a society

of ignorance has been predetermined according to the false and for-
malistic nature of tradition. Take, for example, a child: No matter
how mature he may be, he must act like a child. There are specific
expectations as to his behavior, mode of conversation, and other
every day matters. Any type of behavior that does not conform to
these expectations is regarded as strange.
So, in the same way, the “female character” is defined by the
characteristics regarded as acceptable for women in the society. The
society of ignorance has accepted a mode of behavior for women,

and they are not permitted to venture beyond these parameters, and
must develop their own personalities within it. However, the kind
of behavior prescribed for women by an ignorant society is rife with
corruptions.
Surely, the worst form of corruption is the belief that, because
women are physically weaker than men, they must also be weak of
character. Girls are brought up from a very early age with this idea

instilled in their minds. Women in a society of ignorance accept,

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