Who Are the Fools According to The Qur’an

(People who wander with boldness and assume themselves smart and intelligent, as they have the free will to do whatever they want. Moreover, they are prone to their actions and emotions without considering the consequences. The Quran highlights various actions that can lead to foolishness despite worldly success, while the doer assumes himself to be doing intelligent things. This article picks up relevant verses of the Quran that expose foolishness and make us ponder over the benefits we miss by leaving those things which are considered to be intelligent, but in reality they are damaging.) Definition of “Fool” in the Context of the Quran Different words and terminologies are used for the foolishness committed at different levels by different mindsets of people. The Quran cautions us from all types of foolishness. One of these is a person handicapped in his intelligence, as mentioned in the below verse:

And do not give your property, which Allah has made a means of support for you, to the foolish. [Surah An Nisa: 5]

In the above verse, Allah mentioned that the word sufaha refers to foolishness used in the context of women and children to explain the exact meaning of this particular individual who has a low intelligence level or has limited knowledge and understanding in the area of benefit and harm. It is also used to highlight that women and children are weak in the management of wealth. Hence, it is proven that whoever has a low IQ level will come under the category of “fool”. This foolishness is not derogatory but impaired intelligence. Furthermore, Allah mentions in the Quran those acts which lead towards foolishness in order to caution the believers. Some of which are outlined below:

1. Corrupted Creed and Methodology

Allah stated in the beginning verses of Surah Al Baqarah that those who have corrupted creed and methodology are the greatest fools. He relates the examples of the hypocrites and that which led them towards the act of foolishness. Allah the Most Exalted says,

And when it is said to them, “Believe as the people believe,” They say, “Shall we believe as the fools have believed?” Verily, they are the fools, but they do not know. [Surah Al Baqarah:13]

Thus, it is apparent that whoever rejects the path of guidance is indeed “foolish”. Moreover, it proves how low their intellect is. Furthermore, Allah orders each one of us to believe “as the people have believed,” meaning belief should be like the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ); people who have submitted themselves in obedience to Allah and His Messenger, who are the inheritors of Paradise, and whom Allah has honoured with beautiful titles in the Quran. However, the disbelievers reject and remain in their corrupted creed and methodology, claiming foolishness for the one who is on the straight path. Even today, many Muslims who are involved in shirk, when it’s said to them, follow the path of the righteous predecessors, they respond in the same manner as hypocrites did. There are mainly two reasons which stop one from upright aqidah and manhaj:

1. Remaining arrogant, and so they assume that whatever they are doing is correct, while the one who calls towards guidance is among the wicked.
2. Remaining ignorant, and so many are neither concerned about their own path, whatever they are following, nor pay any attention towards the path of guidance. They live their life in heedlessness. In both cases they remain ignorant.

2. Challenging Allah’s Decree or Will

Those who follow the rules mentioned in the Quran and Hadith and change themselves as soon as they receive any correct information from the Quran and Hadith while earlier they were unaware of it, it is they who are the intelligent ones. However, the majority of people perceive them as senseless, mocking and laughing at them, even though they changed themselves based on what Allah revealed. Allah states that this behavior of theirs is wickedness. He says,

The fools (idolaters, hypocrites, and Jews) among the people will say, “What has turned them (Muslims) from their Qiblah [prayer direction (towards Jerusalem)] to which they used to face in prayer.” Say (O Muhammad ﷺ), “To Allah belong both, east and the west. He guides whom He wills to the straight way.” [Surah Al- Baqarah:142]

Ibn Kathir states that when the change of Qiblah (to the Ka’bah in Makkah) occurred, those inflicted with hypocrisy and mistrust, and the disbelieving Jews, both were led astray from the right guidance and fell into confusion. And so they said, “What is the matter with these people (Muslims) who one face this direction (Jerusalem) and then face that direction (Makkah)?” Hence, Allah gave a reply to them in the same verse. Similarly, the action of the people of Musa, which is related by Allah,

And (remember) when Musa said to his people, “Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow.” They said, “Do you make fun of us?” He said, “I take Allah’s refuge from being among al-jahilin (the ignorant or the foolish). [Surah Al Baqarah:67]

Today, all those who lack knowledge react exactly in the same way whenever they see someone following what  Allah has ordered.

3. Killing Children 

Most people cherish their children with love and affection, yet some let fear dictate their choices—fear of providing, educating, and raising them. As a result, they make the devastating decision to end a life before it begins. Others, driven by a desire for personal comfort and leisure, consciously avoid parenthood, relying on abortion as a means of convenience. How tragic is this mindset, when the value of life is ignored? Ironically, many of these same individuals lavish attention and care upon their pets, treating them like cherished companions, yet they turn away from the divine gift of parenthood—a blessing granted by Allah. Thus, Allah cautions them,

Indeed, lost are those who have killed their children, foolishly, without knowledge, and (they have forbidden that which Allah has provided for them, inventing a lie against Allah. They have indeed gone astray and were not guided. [Surah Al An’am: 140]

Why did Allah declare them as fools? Mainly because they willingly ignore these valuable assets:

1. Huge Blessing from Allah: The example that expresses the blessing of having more children is the Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ), Anas bin Malik (RadiAllahu anhu), who was blessed with numerous children and grandchildren. It is known that they were more than a hundred in number. It was the blessing of the supplication that the Prophet (ﷺ) made for him. Moreover, there will be more people to spread Allah’s deen.
2. Relief in old age: When people have more kids, the parents wll be able to spend their old age in a state of peace and tranquility as they have children to take care of them, to remove their loneliness through engaging in conversations, and to aid them financially if need be.
3. Addition of good deeds in one’s account: If one raises his children by teaching them Islamic values and good character, this will indeed be beneficial for him not just in this world but also for the hereafter. As there are only three things that will benefit the deceased, “Ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who will supplicate for him.” Furthermore, Prophet said,

“A man’s status will be raised in Paradise and he will ask, How did I get here? He will be told, “By your son’s duas (prayers) for forgiveness for you.” (Ibn Majah: 3660)

4. Insulting Others

Another most important thing we should keep in mind is not to insult others on the basis of their appearance, way of speaking, or in other matters. Furthermore, it becomes more sensitive when insults are done on the basis of religion—such as raising unnecessary questions to bring someone down or asking excessive questions out of fun. Such a person also lies under the category of “fool”, as the Most Honourable says,

And the servants of the Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth, Hawna, and when the foolish address them, they say, “Peace.” [Surah Al Furquan: 63]

After mentioning the attributes of the believing servants, and how one should behave, Allah also mentions how one should reply to foolish things. Ibn Kathir explains the above verse, “And when the foolish address them they say, ‘Peace.’” He says, “If the ignorant people insult them with bad words, they do not respond in the same way, but they forgive and overlook, and say nothing but good words.” (Tafseer Ibn Kathir: Surah Furqan: 63) Thus, it makes clear that whoever uses bad language or insults the noble ones is indeed foolish. And the noble ones respond to them in such a manner that they are safe from sin and avoid responding to ignorance with ignorance. This is praise for their great forbearance, responding to evil with something better. How would we feel if someone were to call us foolish? Now imagine how unfortunate it is that the person whom Allah calls foolish. So the path to wisdom or foolishness lies in the decisions we make. Thus, “Every decision sows a seed of consequences.”