The Nirgun-Sargun conundrum Part 1 - 6

BLIND-FOLLOWING 

Unfortunately, many confronted with these simple, yet irrefutable evidences, are often thrown into a state of panic knowing that their life-long faith in something has been shattered and proven false.

Two reactions follow on from this and we wish to address both reassuring those who have found themselves in this state that all is not lost. On the contrary, this recognition is only the first step towards recognising the Truth and changing one's life for the better.

The two reactions are: 

1. Extreme distress after confronting this revelation, followed by concern for the future, followed by denial, which leads one towards blind-following of a religion upon the recognition, though not willing to acknowledge openly, its falsity.
2. Surprised and worried after confronting this revelation, followed by introspectively acknowledging the reality, leading towards an inevitable change through the accommodation and assimilation of this Truth, which replaces the initial shock-and-horror with contentment, tranquillity and happiness in having accepted the Truth from their Lord and submitted to His Will.

The first type we will examine in detail and we want the reader to pay special attention to these characteristics and ask: Is this how I have reacted after being confronted with the stark reality that the religion of my forefathers is contradictory and false: 

IGNORANCE

This is of two types: simple and complex.

The simple kind of ignorance - those who rejected the truth so as to follow their chiefs and leaders. These are the ones when the punishment or death comes upon them, they cry out: "Our Lord! Truly we obeyed our chiefs and elders, and they caused us to stray from the Path!" (Qur'an 33:67)

The complex kind of ignorance - those who choose to remain upon the religion of their tribe or the religion of their forefathers, along with those they were raised with. When faced with the Truth, they refuse to look into it, and if they do, with only a cursory glance in order to remain pleased with the religion of their forefathers and remaining loyal to their tribe. Allaah says about these people: "And similarly, we never sent a warner to any village before you, except that its extravagant ones said: 'Truly we found our forefathers upon this way and truly we are following their footsteps.'" (Qur'an 43:23)

And His says of those who took them as guides at the expense of the Truth: "Truly they took the devils as caretakers instead of Allaah, thinking them to be possessors of guidance." (Qur'an 7:30) 

JEALOUSY

This is similar to those people of the past who recognised the truth presented by Allaah's true Prophets; but, out of jealousy, they chose to conceal and ignore it. Allaah says of these people: "And verily a group of them did conceal the Truth even though they had knowledge (of it)." (Qur'an 2:146)

This disease of jealousy sprouts from arrogance.

ARROGANCE/ EGOTISM

This is the biggest obstacle that prevents people from accepting the Truth. Allaah says: "I will turn those away from My Verses, those who behave arrogantly on earth without any right" (7:146), which is to reject the Truth and to look down upon the people.

The Prophet Muhammad said: "Arrogance/Egotism is rejection of the Truth and being scornful towards the people."

And again Allaah says: "They disbelieved in it, out of oppression and arrogance, while they were convinced (of the truth) within themselves. So then look at the end result of the affairs of those who cause corruption." (Qur'an 27:14) 

TURNING AWAY FROM SOUND TEXTUAL AND INTELLECTUAL PROOFS

How sad it would be for some to be from this category, those who refused to accept the sound evidences after understanding them. Allaah says about them: "So when they turned away, Allaah caused their hearts to turn away" (Qur'an 61:5), since they deserved to be turned further away after consciously choosing to reject the irrefutable evidences.

Allaah gives a glimpse of the thoughts and sayings of the regretful ones on the Day of Judgment who, after being resurrected and confronted with the reality that Islaam and its proofs were indeed true, will say in grief when the all-Just passes sentence against them: "And they will say: If only we had listened and used our intellects, then we would not (today) be among the denizens of the blazing (Hell) Fire!" (Qur'an 43:36-37)

We pray and hope that the seeker of God makes only the truth from Allaah a judge between acceptance and rejection, without being influenced by anything else:

"But they deny the truth when it comes to them. So they are in a confused state.” (Qur'an 50:5)

"And who is more astray than the one who follows his own whims and desires devoid of revelation?" (Qur'an 28:50)

"And do not follow the hawah (vain desires, corrupted minds) of people who went astray in times gone by, and who misled many, and strayed from the correct path." (Qur'an 5:77) 

"Have you seen him who has taken his own hawah (vain desires, corrupted mind) as his own god." (Qur'an 45:23) 

Let us be from those who sincerely seek Him - the truth - and submit to the clear revelatory evidences when it blesses their life. Let us be from these people:

"And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, you will see their eyes overflowing with tears when they recognize the truth. They pray: 'Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses.
'What cause can we have not to believe in Allaah and the truth which has come to us seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us in the company of the righteous?'
And for this prayer, Allaah rewarded them with gardens under which rivers flow-their eternal home. Such is the reward of those who do good." (Qur'an 5:83-85)