We live in an era of neo-ignorance. We are surrounded by information, but we are more ignorant than ever before. We have so much sight but alas have too little vision to see what have we become. We worship idols of our selfish interests, and our actions do not match our words. Our thinking patterns match those of the jahiliyyah, the age of ignorance before Islam. We unite against good, knowing we are wrong, but the status quo suits us. Greed has taken our sense of pride, honor, and right. We do good not for the sake of pleasing Allah, but to show off, to save tax, and all the other hypocritical reasons one can find. Alas, we call ourselves Muslims, but Islam is practiced only when it suits us, and we become jahils when our interests suit jahiliat.
This is the era of neo-ignorance. We are a generation
of people who have been raised on the internet, where information is instantly
available at our fingertips. But with this abundance of information comes a new
problem: we don't know what to believe. We are constantly bombarded with
conflicting news stories, opinions, and facts, and it can be hard to know what
is true and what is not.
In the Era of Neo Ignorance, we are also more likely to
believe things that confirm our existing beliefs. This is called confirmation
bias, and it is a powerful cognitive bias that can lead us to make poor
decisions. For example, if we are already convinced that climate change is a
hoax, we are more likely to believe news stories that support that belief, and
we are more likely to dismiss news stories that contradict it.
Confirmation bias can also lead us to surround
ourselves with people who share our beliefs and to avoid people who have
different beliefs. This can create an echo chamber, where we are only exposed
to information that supports our existing views. This can make it very
difficult to change our minds, even when presented with new evidence.
The Era of Neo Ignorance is a challenge for everyone,
but it is especially challenging for Muslims. As Muslims, we are commanded to
seek knowledge and to understand the world around us. But in the Era of Neo
Ignorance, it can be difficult to know where to start. There is so much
information out there, and so much of it is conflicting.
How can we navigate the Era of Neo Ignorance and still
remain true to our Islamic values?
· Be critical of the information you consume. Just because something is on the
internet doesn't mean it's true.
· Be open to different viewpoints. Even if you don't agree with someone,
it's important to listen to their perspective.
· Be willing to change your mind. If you're presented with new evidence, be
willing to reconsider your beliefs.
· Surround yourself with people who challenge you intellectually. This will
help you to think critically and to avoid falling into echo chambers.
· Be your self and be proud of what you are. You have a rich history,
understand your paradigms which will help you to come out of paradoxes you have
entrapped your self.
· Understand Quran and Hadith and let your knowledge and Love for your lord
and his Prophet guide you in right direction.
The Era of Neo Ignorance is a challenge, but it is also
an opportunity. We can use this time to learn and to grow, and to become better
Muslims. We can use this time to build bridges between different cultures and
to promote understanding and tolerance. We can use this time to make a
difference in the world.
Let us not be a generation of neo jahils. Let us be a
generation of Muslims who are guided by love , knowledge, wisdom, and
compassion. Let us be a generation of Muslims who make a difference in the
world.
