Perverseness Taken to Extremes

Perverseness Taken to Extremes

1988 11 November 11 Perverseness Taken to Extremes (420) The Prophet Mohammad was asked by some of those who heard his teachings to produce a “sign” (ayah). The Quran’s rejoinder to this demand was: “have they not been given sufficient proof (bayyinah) in previous Books?” (Quran, 20:133-35). ‘Bayyinah’ was verbal proof, found in previous scriptures of his claim to prophethood, but such verbal proof is always open to various interpretations, and as such, can frequently be explained away. For this reason the Prophet was asked for a tangible miracle. So that there should be no grounds for denial.

The Quran points out that the real problem is not the absence of a sign, but the questioner’s unenlightened state. It is only those who are serious in their quest for truth who can appreciate what is meant by proof. Superficiality and egocentrism are great barriers to attainment of the truth. Shallow thinkers cannot seriously apply their minds to matters of truth and falsehood, neither then can they appreciate the weight of evidence in support of truth. They may be presented with any number of clear proofs, but, either they cannot or will not recognize them as such, and are wont to protest that no proof has been placed before them.

Such is human intransigeance when faced with the truth. But a day will come when they are forced to accept it. They will have no choice but to do so on the day that mankind is raised from the dead. But truth acknowledged in this way, as a result of coercion, is of no benefit, and will serve rather to prove humans guilt. This will be the time when one is made to bear the consequences of one’s deeds. It will be too late for atonement.

It is unfortunate that those who attempt to bring the message of truth are often thwarted by their listeners turning a deaf ear to them, or engaging them in meaningless, irrelevant discussions. The very same ‘listeners’ will even complain that no messenger has ever brought them the truth. When taken to task for never having attempted to seek out the truth themselves, they will always be ready with some pretext for not having done so.

Earnest messengers may do their utmost to convey the truth, but whether or not that truth is accepted, will, in the last analysis, depend upon the mentality of their listeners. Only if the latter are serious in their search for the truth will they recognize it, and be guided by it; if not, they are bound to go astray.