ONE of the aspects of seeking Islamic knowledge is learning what evil is to avoid falling into it. Hudayfah Bin Al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) said that while other companions would ask the Prophet (peace be upon him) about good deeds, he would ask about evil so he could stay away from it. Islamic scholars have devoted several books on topics like Shirk – the greatest sin, Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), refutation of deviant sects and more for this purpose. Sheikh Saleh Al-Fowzan mentions in his book Explanation of the Days of Ignorance the purpose of this study: “So we mention and study them for the sake of knowing what they are in order to avoid them and beware of them. A poet said: “I learned evil, not for the sake of evil, but in order to avoid it, And whoever is not aware of evil, will fall into it.” This is one perspective. And from a second perspective, if you become aware of the aspects of the Days of Ignorance, you will then become aware of the great virtue of Islam, as the poet said: “The beauty of a thing is made apparent by its opposite. And it is through its opposite that things become clear.” Umar Bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “It is imminent that the handhold of Islam will be destroyed piece by piece. This will be when one is raised in Islam while not being aware about Jaahiliyyah.”
