Some of the Motivations for Clinging to Falsehood When the Truth Is Clarified By Another Person

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Ignorance: This particular reason predominantly overwhelms the majority of people, as the one ignorant of something will exhibit hostility towards it and its adherents. Furthermore, if such an individual harbours animosity towards the one who presents the truth and feels envy, the intensity of this hostility escalates. When this animosity extends to those he holds dear, his traditions, his nurturers, the customs of his ancestors, and those he cherishes and reveres, the intensity increases even further. Additionally, if he possesses a misguided belief that the truth poses a threat to his status, honour, aspirations, and objectives, the intensity reaches a peak. Moreover, if he fears for himself, his wealth, and his standing in the eyes of his companions, family, and people—similar to the situation faced by Heraclius, the Christian king in the Levant during the time of Allah’s Messenger—this reason intensifies even more. Heraclius was aware of the truth and had a desire to embrace Islam; however, due to the disobedience of his people, he feared for his safety and ultimately chose disbelief over the clear guidance presented to him.

Envy: This is one of the most significant causes because it is deeply rooted within the soul. The individual who harbours envy perceives that the person he envies possesses virtues or has been given what he does not possess; consequently, this envy hinders his ability to accept and comply. Iblees was unable to prostrate to Adam, peace be upon him, solely due to envy, for upon witnessing Adam’s elevation and the virtues bestowed upon him, he opted for disbelief instead of faith, despite having been in the company of angels. This same affliction obstructed the Yahud from accepting Isa, the son of Maryam, peace be upon him and his mother, even though they were fully aware that he was a Messenger of Allah, sent with undeniable signs and guidance. Nevertheless, their envy led them to reject faith and embrace disbelief, despite being a community that included Rabbis, scholars, ascetics, judges, kings, and rulers. [1]

Al-Allamah Abdur Rahman Ibn Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Opposing desires through action in pursuit of truth is a clear matter, given the inherent obligations and challenges it presents. This situation can be examined from various perspectives:

An individual considers that accepting the truth implies recognising that he has previously adhered to falsehood. That is because a person is raised within a particular religion, creed, way or views imparted by their mentors and teacher, which they have long regarded as the truth; then when eventually becomes evident to him that these beliefs are erroneous, he finds it challenging to acknowledge, just as when he his ancestors or those he follows follow a way and its falsity is made known to him. This is because he considers that their shortcomings would also mean confronting his own, and an acknowledgement of their misguidance or errors necessitates his own.

It is possible that his attachment to falsehood provided him with status, recognition, and financial support, making it challenging for him to admit this, as doing so would result in the loss of all those benefits.

It may be that a person is in a state of ignorance or falsehood until another individual presents clear evidence that illuminates the truth for him, thus he considers that accepting such evidence implies his deficiency and that it was that (other) person who guided him. Due to this, we observe that while some individuals who are regarded as knowledgeable can readily admit their errors when these become apparent through their own investigations, they often struggle to accept such corrections when pointed out by others.

When another person clarifies the truth for him, he considers that accepting this truth requires recognising the clarifier’s virtue, knowledge, and accuracy, thus this would become great in the eyes of the people, leading many to follow him. So, you will find some individuals who are regarded as knowledgeable are eager to prove the errors of other scholars, even resorting to falsehoods driven by envy and a desire to diminish their standing among the people.

To oppose desires for the sake of the truth -in affairs of knowledge and creed- can indeed be difficult to accomplish, therefore it requires research and contemplation. In this regard, one needs to ask the scholars and benefit from them, adhering to the fear of Allah, and seeking the Tawfeeq of Allah and guidance. (2)

[1] An Excerpt from “Hidaayah Al-Hayaaraa Fee Ajwibah Al-Yahud Wan-Nasaaraa”. pages 17-19

[2] An excerpt from “At-Tankeel Bimaa Fee Ta’need Al-Kawthariy Minal Baatil” 2/180-181 with the checking of Imam Albaanee, may Allah have mercy upon him.