Suppression of Evidence

Suppression of Evidence

1988 11 November 7 Suppression of Evidence (402) It must never be forgotten that God’s representative on earth is truth. Those who fail to support truth fail to support God Himself. Those who neglect God will, in turn, be neglected by God.

In ancient Arabia, there were a great number of Jews who, because of their glorious traditions, were accorded an honourable position in society. When the prophet Mohammad began to preach the message of Islam as revealed to him in the Quran, these Jews turned against him, making out that theirs was the true religion, and that Mohammad had strayed far from the true path of God. The reason for their opposition was simple. The religion of the Jews had been reduced to a cultural tradition handed down to them by their forefathers, and could not, therefore, countenance a faith which was in original state. It is a universally accepted fact that the followers of an adulterated religion can never bring themselves to tolerate the pure message of divine revelation, hence the hostility of the Jews towards the Prophet.

Nevertheless, this public display of disapproval masked very different feelings. In their heart of hearts, the Jews knew full well that it was not their forefathers but God who was Lord of the Universe. They likewise knew that the path of true religion brought one closer, not to one’s ancestors but to the Almighty. The Jews did, indeed, appreciate the truth of the Prophet’s message, but selfish considerations prevented them from making a public avowal of it. This deliberate act of concealment of what they knew in their hearts to be true is mentioned in the Quran which asks: “Who is more unjust than one who hides a testimony which he has received from God?” (2:140).

To be fundamentally convinced of a certain truth means that it is supported by God’s own testimony. When God entrusts His servants with such evidence, it is incumbent upon them to proclaim it publicly. Those who conceal it are unjust and guilty in the sight of their maker, for they have shown themselves indifferent to the truth itself. God will, in consequence, adopt an indifferent attitude towards them, leaving them with no refuge in the heavens or on the earth.

It must never be forgotten that God’s representative on earth is truth. Those who fail to support truth fail to support God Himself. Those who neglect God will, in turn, be neglected by God.