OBSTACLES TO ACCEPTING THE TRUTH

opposing views to criticize unfairly. No matter how solid the other side’s arguments are, they dismiss them as insignificant, as though it carried no weight at all, while inwardly feeling restless in the search for a solid basis to reject it with certainty. These behaviors reveal that their certainty in their own stance has wavered. Sparks of truth reach their mind, but their pride prevents them from accepting it. Internally, they tell themselves, “I am more qualified than the one presenting this truth to me. My scholarly superiority is well-recognized. My contributions to Islam are acknowledged by many.” Such thoughts surround them like a thick fog, leaving them blind despite having eyes to see. They believe that if this were truly the case, they would be the first to uncover it. Although they are in the best position to understand the truth, they remain deprived of it. In the Quran, this is described as charging ahead as though blind and deaf. When someone is reminded through the signs of God, one appropriate response is to understand the truth clearly and respond sincerely. Another response is to ignore the core aspects of the matter and attack it from irrelevant angles, dismissing it with unrelated objections. The first approach is to see, hear, and engage with the matter as it is, while the second features reacting as if one were blind and deaf, as if the truth had never been recognized. (Quran, 25:73)