MAY 21

The Superiority of the Truth

Once an ‘alim (religious scholar) criticised his Shaikh (spiritual guide) and had difference of opinion with him. Someone pointed out to the ‘alim that it was not proper for him to differ with his mentor. The ‘alim replied ‘The Shaikh is dear to me, but the truth is dearer to me than the Shaikh.’

This incident tells us what the proper attitude should be in matters of differences and criticism. That is, each person must be accorded the respect and honour due to him. The human and ethical rights of everyone should be duly honoured. But when it is a matter of the truth, the truth will be held superior to everything. That is to say, if the issue is man versus man, personalities will be considered more important, but when the issue is man versus truth, the truth is important, in the absolute sense, while man’s importance is relative.

Human behaviour is subordinate to ethics. But when it comes to Truth, ethics itself will become subordinate to truth. It is because there is nothing greater in this world than truth. Morality is important because truth is God’s representative on earth. The appearance of truth is like the appearance of God. When God appears before one what else will be more important in comparison?

This does not mean that one who claims to be the champion of truth will wield unlimited power over others. In this matter, the truth will be considered supreme, and not the person who claims to be the upholder of truth. In actual fact, the claimant of truth will be judged by the same standard as he employs for judging others. Anyone who does not come up to the standard of truth is to be condemned. The best way is for the deceitful person willingly to accept the decree of truth against himself. Truth represents God in this world. That individual is blessed before whom truth reveals itself, on recognizing it, he bows before it.