Search the Truth with Patience and Prayer

• Last Updated on January 12, 2024 @ 2:35 pm by Islaminlife Admin

It is not possible to understand the correct teachings of the Quran and Sunnah without the Pious Ulama. At the primary level, directly studying the Quran & Hadith individually, be it from books, or as it is common today: via online essays/videos, although these could be useful under certain conditions, one’s fundamental learning should be from the trustworthy scholars.

The answer to the question, of how it is possible to identify the authenticity of any Alim/Scholar — who is right and who is not, at first it is necessary to purify the intention. With pure intention, it is also necessary to visit some scholars. With complete surrender to Allah Almighty, one should seek His assistance. If there is genuine love for Allah and His Messenger, then it will be possible to recognize the righteous scholars.

Nowadays most people do not go to pious scholars. Even if they go to the scholars, they do not spend long time in their gatherings. If they go to the gatherings, they do not spend a considerable amount of time with them individually. For the sake of getting Allah, to know His blessed path, it is incumbent to attach to the pious scholars. To attach to them, sitting in their gatherings for a long time, visiting them regularly, sitting near them and taking their advice or asking them about Islamic matters and rulings with an open mind is important. An individual should travel several times and visit the scholars. Repeated visits and visits for a long time will remove confusion and determine which scholars are authentic and who are not. If one is very confused about knowing which scholars are authentic or genuine, it is very important to go to several scholars in the early stages of learning Islam. One should attend their programs more than once and spend a long time in their presence. If necessary, one should talk to them privately. One should prepare one’s questions and queries in advance. One should ask about his confusions/questions sincerely and politely — whenever one gets an opportunity to do so. In this regard, a few other points to observe are:

– How much balanced behavior and response have been received (in the respected place/scholar’s company)
– What changes did you feel in your heart when you approached the scholar

[If one’s (the seeker’s) knowledge is very limited then there is no need to worry about the above. Just visit the scholars and supplicate to Allah as said here]

What is very important is, don’t haste to find the right or the truth. A book written by someone may be full of Quranic verses and Hadith. This does not confirm that the individual is on the right! Just because you find a lot of things in someone’s book that contradict your opinion doesn’t confirm they are wrong. On the one hand, we say that we know less. On the other hand, we rush to verify. This is the wrong way to judge! Surrender yourself to Allah Almighty. Imaan (faith) and Hidaayat (guidance) are invaluable! In addition to the above-mentioned tasks in search of truth, pray with the supplications from the Holy Quran:

Sura Fatiha, which is contains supplications seeking the right path

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ- الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ- مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ- إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ- اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ- صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ

Sura Al-e-Imran’s verse No. 8

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ

“Our Lord, do not let our hearts go crooked after You have given us guidance, and bestow upon us mercy from Your own. Surely, You, and You alone, are the Bestower.

Also supplicate with the following Dua/prayer from Hadith:

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ

Meaning: O the changer of hearts! Keep me steadfast on Your Deen (Islam). (from Tirmidhi)

A trap where the most general people are getting trapped today is, when a scholar comments about another scholar/individual/group, be it a general negative comment, a statement to reform and correct something wrong, a direct accusation or a bitter criticism — general people (many of whom have no formal religious education) are too quick to jump to some conclusions (for instance, his words are harsh, or he is absolutely right). This is quite harmful. Sometimes when a scholar comments on something/someone, criticizes – he does it rightly.

Sometimes when a scholar or someone comments, or criticizes some other scholar/a group — there is a bias behind it objectively with evil intention. Judging these minute matters is not easy!

Many people say another thing. That is, I like the words of all scholars. I take the best from everyone. The meaning of such a statement is sometimes acceptable, sometimes it is not correct and right to do. This principle applies in many cases to those whose religious knowledge is very little and whose understanding level is also low. Others should know the basics of Islam as much as possible and proceed to determine the truth and falsehood by knowing the criteria of truth, not just sitting and trusting in accepting the good from everyone. (Although one thing is true. That is, there is no restriction in respecting the (genuine) good of all and accepting the goodness as much as possible is necessary. Rather, it is praiseworthy. However, if someone or a group is found to be disqualified in the judgement of truth and falsehood, i.e., it clearly is false/wrong, then there is no question of accepting it! Here too, a person with little knowledge should ask the scholars to direct him. This is the principle stated in the Quran)

Remember! We could make mistakes, we could embrace the wrong or false way. Someone can cheat us and show us the wrong way as right. However, with Allah’s assistance, we can come back to the right path even after going astray! Therefore, we require to accomplish our task. We have to have the sincere intention, make efforts and supplicate to Allah Almighty to search for the truth. In this case, full surrender to Allah and patience are pre-requisites. InshaAllah, the truth will be revealed, confusions will be removed. At least, we will be exempted because we sincerely searched for the truth.

It is inappropriate to be in a hurry or make haste and only the inclination of one’s judgement prevails (without sincere effort and supplication) in the search for truth.