Outline
- Introduction
- Truth vs Perspective
- God and Truth
- The Implication of Realization
- Accepting or Rejecting the Truth
- The Truth is Unlike a Coin
- Conclusion
Introduction
Alhamdulillah… Infinite thanks and praise are due to the Almighty Allah, source of every truth and inspirer of all possible perspectives. Complete blessings and salutations are upon the Messenger of The Truth, Sayyidina Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path.
Often time, we confuse the truth with perspective. This has led many to confusion. Confusion about truth on one hand. And confusion about ourselves on the other. When these sets of confusions come together, we find ourselves in deep crises; emotionally and spiritually. This article discusses in brief, truth and what distinguishes it from perspective. It further highlights the implications of this realization and what it means to accept or reject the truth.
It’s worth emphasizing, that although the discussion is from Islam’s point of view, it should resonate with anyone who has been pondering about the subject matter, regardless of his religion or inclination.
First, let’s look at the difference between truth and perspective.
Truth vs Perspective
It’s important for us to acknowledge the fact, that knowing the difference between truth and perspective adds a significant amount of clarity in the process of our decision making. With that we become certain when making choices pertaining to truth and otherwise. We also become well informed about those choices and their subsequent implications.
We live in this world to pursue truth. In other words, our whole existence in this first part of life is for us to realize and live the truth. And because we were created to be sent to this world, temporarily, we are also given a constitution that serves as the ultimate truth. This constitution is true in what it says, and just in its orders, as well as in its commands and rulings.
The truth is the word of God. And the word of God is revealed through His scriptures that He revealed to His chosen Prophets and Messengers.
وَتَمَّت كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدقًا وَعَدلًا ۚ لا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمـٰتِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّميعُ العَليمُ
“The Word of your Lord is perfect in truthfulness and justice; no one can change His words. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing” (Sūrah al-An‘ām, 6:115).
The truth being that which comes from Him is understood from verse 147 of Sūrah al-Baqarah:
الحَقُّ مِن رَبِّكَ ۖ فَلا تَكونَنَّ مِنَ المُمتَرينَ
“The truth is from your Lord, so never be among the doubters” (Sūrah al-Baqarah, 2:147).
We understand from the above, that truth can’t be changed, no matter how manipulative we become. For instance, the fact that God created two genders in every living thing is a truth that can’t be changed. Whether we subscribe to it or not. And whether we submit to it or not. It’s the truth. The truth is that every human being who was conceived and born naturally has a mother. His mother is his mother, regardless of whether he likes it or otherwise.
As for perspectives, they emerge as a result of our circumstances and experiences. In other words, in our pursuit for the truth, we may encounter some encounters that shape some forms of perspectives in us and for us. But those do not stand as truth. Simply because they are bound to change once our experiences change. Just like our perspectives of life and things change over the years as we grow and mature.
Therefore, perspectives don’t make truth. As truth is set and predefined. But parts of truth may stand as perspectives. That’s why we find that different circumstances and experiences (perspectives) make different personalities. But that doesn’t change the nature and understanding of truth to different personalities.
Below is an illustration which highlights the characteristics of truth as opposed to those of perspective.
Characteristics of truth versus those of perspective
God and Truth
When we study the perfect names that are attributed to the One God, we find that truth is one of His Perfect names. Remember that the truth is unchangeable. And so is God. Therefore, when one is searching for the truth, he is ought to go back to the source of all truths, and that is the Truth Himself, God the Creator.
Once we realize that God is the Truth. And that anything associated with Him that He approves is the truth, we can then, easily, make sense of one of the beautiful supplications of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, that he used to say at night:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَوَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ وَقَوْلُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ إِلَهِي، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
“O Allah! All the Praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth. And all the Praises are for You; You are the Keeper of the Heavens and the Earth. All the Praises are for You; You are the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth and whatever is therein. You are the Truth, and Your Promise is the Truth, and Your Speech is the Truth, and meeting You is the Truth, and Paradise is the Truth and Hell (Fire) is the Truth and all the prophets are the Truth and the Hour is the Truth. O Allah! I surrender to You, and believe in You, and depend upon You, and repent to You, and in Your cause I fight and with Your orders I rule. So please forgive my past and future sins and those sins which I did in secret or in public. It is You Whom I worship, None has the right to be worshipped except You.”
This was reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim from the narration of Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā.
The Implication of Realization
The implication of this realization is crucial. It’s crucial because it affects your decision making. When we say decision making here, we are not talking about getting married or remaining single. Neither are we talking about pursuing a career in the private sector or serving in the civil service. It’s rather about deciding on matters that make you, create your legacy and therefore, shape your Hereafter.
The implication of this realization is that you can change your standpoint and get your perspectives changed. The more you change your standpoints, the more perspectives you are exposed to, and hence, the more knowledgeable, and possibly wiser you become.
But, with this realization, you can’t reject the truth, if you’re a person of principles. Likewise, you can’t reject the truth if you hope to have a pleasant meeting with your Lord, one fine day.
Accepting or Rejecting the Truth
Let’s take a close look at the encounters of our dear Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with his people in the early days of spreading his message of Islam (da‘wah).
Abū Jahl and Abu Lahab (mind you; they are two different persons), Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughirah, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, Khalid ibn Al-Walid, were all strong enemies of Islam and the Prophet. These were the noble Meccans from the most respected families of Makkah. However, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, Khalid ibn Al-Walid and some others like them accepted Islam subsequently. Unfortunately, Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughirah, Umayyah ibn Khalaf and others like them died in the peak of their enmity for the Prophet Muhammad and the religion he propagated.
The difference between the two groups is that, Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughirah, Umayyah ibn Khalaf and their likes rejected and belied the message that the Prophet Muhammad had brought forth. Not out of ignorance. But out of arrogance. They knew it was the truth. But ego and stubbornness deterred them from accepting it. They didn’t have a different perspective about its truthfulness.
As for Umar ibn Al-Khattab, Khalid ibn Al-Walid and their likes, yes, they professed enmity toward The Prophet Muhammad and his message at the beginning. But that was based on the conviction that he was wrong. In other words, they were sincere in their enmity. They stood for what they believed was the truth. Not what they knew deep down their hearts to be false. In the end, the moment they realized what they fought for was wrong, they diverted to the right path, and hence, Islam. They followed the truth.
What is applicable to the two camps (the camp of Abu Jahl as opposed to the camp of Umar) is applicable to many people today. It's applicable to non-Muslims, yes. As well as to many Muslims. And this is the scariest part.
The truth is rejected either out of ignorance or out of arrogance. Those who reject it out of ignorance get guidance at the end of the day, as long as they don't turn to arrogance. And those who reject it out of arrogance have some price to pay, unless they seek repentance in time.
The Truth is Unlike a Coin
If we want to give in to the idea which implies that everything can be looked at like a coin, that has two sides and hence, possible different perspectives, then we are getting it wrong about our own religion, and about truth itself.
As a judge, you look at all possible perspectives before passing judgement on the criminal who broke into his neighbour’s house and killed him. However, no matter how many perspectives you gather, the fact, and for that matter, the truth remains that the criminal has broken into his neighbour’s house and subsequently killed him.
If we ever want to handle truth the same way we handle perspective, it will mean that Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab were right when they rejected the message of the Prophet. It also means that Islam could be a false religion and that the Prophet could have made up stories about his prophecy. It will also mean worshiping idols may be the right thing to do.
This also means that Zina, Pornography, corruption, as well as injustice, and every evil action could be correct and hence, can be lawfully committed, so long as it’s looked at from a different perspective. This also means, one can argue, that his biological mother (not the father) is possibly not his mother.
These are arguments, if we adopt them and make the mistake of professing them, we are knowingly or unknowingly nullifying what all the Messengers and Prophets devoted their lives to teach and preach.
The good news is, we thank God that Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad have never and shall never be altered and doctored to be like the scriptures that were revealed in the past. This means, at any point of time, we have a solid and an authentic constitution to refer to, when we are ignorant about anything pertaining to our religion.
There can't be two perceptions regarding halal and haram. There can only be knowledge and ignorance pertaining to them. Halal is halal and haram is haram. And the grey area that falls between them is attached to haram, for him who wants to play safe.
They (ḥalāl and ḥarām) are clear like the sun. No matter how we try to twist interpretations to justify things. Sayyidunā al-Nu‘mān ibn al-Bashīr says, in a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī, that Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam says:
الْحَلاَلُ بَيِّنٌ وَالْحَرَامُ بَيِّنٌ، وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشَبَّهَاتٌ لاَ يَعْلَمُهَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَمَنِ اتَّقَى الْمُشَبَّهَاتِ اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِيِنِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ، وَمَنْ وَقَعَ فِي الشُّبُهَاتِ كَرَاعٍ يَرْعَى حَوْلَ الْحِمَى، يُوشِكُ أَنْ يُوَاقِعَهُ. أَلاَ وَإِنَّ لِكُلِّ مَلِكٍ حِمًى، أَلاَ إِنَّ حِمَى اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ مَحَارِمُهُ، أَلاَ وَإِنَّ فِي الْجَسَدِ مُضْغَةً إِذَا صَلَحَتْ صَلَحَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ، وَإِذَا فَسَدَتْ فَسَدَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ. أَلاَ وَهِيَ الْقَلْبُ ”.
“Halal and haram are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So, whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honour. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the territory (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people!) Beware! Every king has a territory and the territory of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things. Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.”
How often do we reject the evident truth, knowing it's the truth? How often do follow heart desires, knowing very well it's false and misguidance?
The truth is unlike a coin that has two sides. In fact, a coin with two sides, will have true and false sides, not both true sides.
Conclusion
Following the truth not for it being the truth, but because everyone is following it is nothing but hypocrisy. It’s a matter of time, and you will reveal your true colours. The moment ‘everyone' turns away from it, you will be more than likely joining them.
You have the choice to embrace or reject the truth. Either one, there’s an implication for every choice you make. There are also liabilities once you’ve decided on a choice. But when it comes to the truth, it’s not something that you need to experiment and derive perspectives from. Once an authentic evidence is produced, we have to be courageous and submissive enough to push ourselves to follow the truth.
In the event you can’t help to follow the truth, or to show your support for it, the least is to show your weakness, by remaining silent and not supporting the wrong.
If you’ve read to this point, then I believe you’ll be interested in the following articles:
- Determining The Path To God
- Back to the Basics: Reclaiming Our Hearts
- 7 Shields for the Muslim Against Fornication and Adultery
May Allah guide us and safeguard our faith at all times. Amin!
Let the discussion continue on Facebook. To receive updates from GSalam.Net delivered right to your inbox, click here. If you know a friend or an acquaintance who may benefit from this article, there will be no harm sharing it with him, inshā Allah.
Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂
Be the first to comment on "Truth vs Perspective: The Coins Which Confuse Many"