Spirit of Islam November 2017

36 Spirit of Islam Issue 59 November 2017 REALIZATION OF TRUTH Mirror of Reality T HE human mind is a mirror of reality. Everyone knows the function of a mirror: it reproduces anything that is placed in front of it. The image it produces corresponds exactly to the reflected object, leaving nothing out and adding nothing of its own. So it is with the human mind. When reality is placed before this mirror, it is reproduced exactly. The image of truth which is reflected in the human mind is exactly the same as that which stands before it. It recognizes the truth for what it is, and accepts it as such. This being the case, why is it that truth comes before many people, yet they fail to accept it? The answer to this question is that it is always personal attachments and commitments that prevent one from accepting truth. There can be no sound reason for denying the truth; those that do so are motivated by their attachment to something else which prevents them from attaching themselves to truth. If a third object is placed in between a mirror and the thing that is meant to be reflected, then the image will be obscured. So it is with truth and the human mind. If something else comes in between the two, then the image of truth that should be cast on to the mind becomes obscured. It is essential, therefore, that nothing should be allowed to come in between oneself and truth: there should be nothing to prevent one from accepting it. This is a basic precondition for realizing the truth, yet it is one that people are usually unable to fulfil. All too often they let something else come in between themselves and the reality that has been placed before the mirror of their minds. Sometimes it is people to whom one is attached who come in the way of truth. Sometime it is self-interest, or some other commitment. In every day and age people have let some unconnected thing come in between themselves and truth, with the result that they remained bereft of what should have been lodged in their souls. Abu Jahl was a major opponent of the Prophet Muhammad. He failed to accept the truth due to concern for his own power and position. Taif was The only ones who can succeed in the search for truth are those who forsake everything else and give themselves up to it entirely when it comes before them.