Realization of Truth
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.
The human mind is a mirror of reality. Everyone knows the function of a mirror: it reproduces the image of anything that is in front of it. The image it produces corresponds precisely to the reflected object, leaving nothing out and adding nothing of itself. So, it is with the human mind. When reality is placed before this mirror, it is reproduced exactly. The image of truth reflected in the human mind is 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 does truth come 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 the truth. There can be no reason to deny the truth; those who do so are motivated by their attachment to something else, preventing them from attaching themselves to the truth.
The image will be obscured if a third object is placed between a mirror and the thing meant to be reflected. 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 onto the mind becomes obscured. Therefore, nothing must be allowed to come in between oneself and truth: there should be nothing to prevent one from accepting it. This is an essential 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, people to whom one is attached come in the way of the truth. Sometimes, it is self-interest or some other commitment. However, in every day and age, people have let some unconnected things 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 Prophet Mohammad. He was prevented from accepting the truth by a concern for his power and position. Taif was one of the places the Prophet of Islam visited in his early days in Makkah. The people of Taif refused to accept the truth that he presented before them because he appeared to them to be an insignificant person. How, they thought, can they be taught by one who does not rank high among the mighty of this world? As for the Jews, they also denied Prophet Mohammad. The reason for them doing so was their superiority complex. The Roman Emperor Heraclius showed clear signs of recognizing the truth of the message of Islam. However, he did not accept it because he did not want to become isolated from his people. In each case, the truth of Islam was recognized. There was no reason for these people’s denial except for their blind commitment to something else they could not break away from.
Truth only accepts one who has accepted it without any reservation, who has given himself entirely up to it. Those attached to something else they cannot break away from can never find the truth, for they cannot give truth the attention it demands. Therefore, 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.
