“Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge. Surely, the hearing, the sight, the heart – each of these shall be called to account.”
(Al-Qur’ān – 17:36)
The purpose of this Qur’ānic verse is that people should be guided by knowledge rather than conjecture both in their individual and collective lives. In an Islamic society, this directive found its reflection in ethics and law, in politics and administration, and in arts, sciences and education; in short, in all spheres of human life. This perspective ensured that human thought and action were made safe from many evil consequences which ensue from relying on guesswork and conjecture instead of knowledge.
People are asked to abstain from entertaining misgivings about others and to avoid levelling unfounded charges against both individuals and groups. Similarly, Islamic law prohibits both the consigning of people to prison or their manhandling merely on the grounds of suspicion. Additionally, Muslims are prevented from taking steps against them merely on the grounds of unsubstantiated misgivings. Rumour-mongering based on unsubstantiated suspicions are also proscribed. Disciplines based on sheer speculation and conjecture are discouraged. Above all, a blow has been struck against all superstitions in matters of religious belief since believers are asked to accept only that which has any basis in the knowledge vouchsafed by God or His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him).
The Qur’an says that this is part of the Divine wisdom that enjoins man not to set up any deity beside Allah lest he should be punished with the Fire of Hell.