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THINKING
STRAIGHT AND THE WAYS TO ACHIEVE IT
Some truths are absolute,
universal and without exception, some are general and some relative. For example,
God’s existence with His essence, attributes, names and works are absolute and
universal truths; so are principles of faith such as divine justice with its dimensions of
unity, gathering, destiny, forgiveness, munificence and mercy. Occurrences that can be
examined by sciences like physics and chemistry are general truths for which exceptions
can be found. On the other hand, truths showing differences in color, tone and character
dependent on time, individuals, or conditions as opposed to seriousness, discipline,
gentleness and tolerance, are relative truths. The number of relative truths in our lives
is much greater than the number of absolute and universal truths.
If we evaluate knowledge as
"an accumulation of information obtained as a result of a person’s effort,
merits, and capabilities," then man will come to this world without knowing anything
and will encounter an endless universe where innumerable creatures come together and
countless events unfold. Everything in the universe outside of man’s influence is in
its proper place and complete order, harmony and balance reign. We can say that all the
spiritual and scientific principles underlying the unshakable order, harmony and
indestructible balance of this vast and complex universe, of which the human body
comprises a miniature, are the sum of truth or truths.
On the other hand, sciences like
physics, chemistry and biology—regardless of whether or not they are
accurate—examine the universe and universal relationships with their own peculiar
principles. The data from these sciences are taken up by philosophers, scientific and
existentialist philosophers, etc. and data from human relations is used by sociologists
and psychologists. In contrast, through their basic tenets of faith, monotheistic
religions like Islam see the universe and man as an expression of the same truth in all
relationships, principles of life and particulars of existence. In this situation divine
books like the Quran are an expression of, in fact, comprise, themselves, the truth that
provides universal harmony, balance and order or the totality of truth. Throughout history
philosophers, sociologists and psychologists who have determined or discovered truths have
differed among themselves, which has lead to the emergence of different schools of
thought. In contrast, all prophets and the divine books they brought have espoused the
same thing. Consequently, we can say that all the principles that bring about the universe
in all kinds of events and relationships and provide universal harmony, order and balance
and the Quran, the only divine book that has remained unchanged, are the "truth
itself." Thinking and drawing conclusions according to these in view of all things
and events can be called "thinking straight."
Main factors of thinking straight
Character and
intention
Man is equipped with many
capabilities, while being at the same time caught in a web of very mixed emotions and
endless needs. He has faculties like intelligence that surround and burden him with
sorrows from the past and fear and anxiety for the future, a conscience that reminds him
of his human responsibility and the essential purpose of his creation, and a will that
continuously brings him to choose between alternatives. Just as man can put his
intelligence, conscience and will under the command of truth, he can also surrender them
to the power of his desires, needs, interests and ambitions. The characteristics inherited
at birth also play an important role in his thought. The sum of these characteristics is
called man’s nature or character.
A person under the influence of
self-interest, desire, and moral weaknesses, and who has not yet found the right
direction, especially one motivated by lower emotions such as jealousy, revenge, hatred
and hostility, cannot easily think straight. Thus, one of the most important conditions
for thinking straight is spiritual and moral training, of which the most reliable for all
times and peoples is by the guidance of the Quran.
The elements making up a
person’s character such as desire, inclination, sensibility and need, always
influence his intentions. When the intention is not to reach the truth but to realize a
personal goal the individual has set for himself, then that individual may not hesitate to
distort data or even twist the truth. In order to strive after the truth and think
straight, a person must have a sound intention which depends upon a trained and
disciplined character.
Sent to this world with a nature
that is ready to be trained, in fact, must be trained, man encounters two main resources
for filling the transparent and empty mental cup that he is born with. The first is an
environment composed of the immediate family circle, the cultural and social milieu (this
includes the modern media) and schooling. The second is divine inspiration. From the
moment of birth man naturally falls under the influence of his immediate family and
surroundings. In time this influence leads to the development the individual mind of many
notions, modes of thinking, patterns of value and understanding. At school these are
changed, reinforced or renewed by what is learned there.
During this process many divinely
inspired thoughts come depending on the individual’s effort and mental concentration.
These thoughts can come, like many scientific discoveries, in the form of dreams or as
inspiration to the heart. Divinely inspired thoughts, even if they are always essentially
true, take on colour and form (like water taking the colour and shape of the bowl )
according to the person’s mental make-up, spiritual degree, and emotional
sensitivity. Thus, the mental framework that has been shaped by the family, the
environment, by formal or informal training, and by received modes of perception and
patterns of value, can be regarded as the individual’s measures.
At every stage in the process of
developing the mental make-up, that is, at the different stages of the life-long
educational process, man thinks and evaluates differently. This is normal. We can see
changing thoughts and values as the normal consequence of a constantly developing mental
make-up. What is abnormal is if a person falls into the trap of thinking that every stage
is the final one, then promotes his thoughts at that stage as absolutely true. This is one
of the gravest mistakes that people make. The presentation of his thoughts as the absolute
truth by one who is constantly in a learning phase, and in whose mind many false thought
patterns and measurements have accumulated, is harmful. It can prevent him from learning
new ideas, from avoiding repeating his mistakes, from reaching the truth, and from
questioning and investigation at a later stage. God forbid, it can even lead him to stray
or become a despot ‘for the sake of knowledge’.
In view of this, the path to
thinking straight passes through sound measures and, as a result, a healthy perspective.
This can be achieved first by doubt, that is, by doubting everything except absolute
truths taken from their source. Then, by mental and spiritual purification. The mind must
be cleared of mistakes and biases and the heart of sin and lower emotions. Beyond that,
signs of enlightenment that will take one to the truth and to thinking straight should be
followed. Unless these stages are accomplished, unless sound measures and consequently a
healthy point of view are obtained, it doesn’t matter how much a person knows or
works; he can’t reach the truth.
Accurate
knowledge
After a sound character, sincere
intention and correct point of view, the most important factor for thinking straight is
accurate knowledge. For a person with a healthy intention and perspective, accurate
knowledge is the essential sound material with which to think straight, just as, for
making bread the right flour in the right amount is essential material. Without this,
it’s not possible to think straight. Unless, there is revelation as for the
Prophets—but that is no longer possible. Otherwise Divine inspiration can only
manifest in a very pure heart. Even with inspiration, the range is very limited; in most
aspects of life there is a need for accurate knowledge.
Escaping
from the restrictions of time and conditions or perceiving time and conditions accurately
Another factor for thinking
straight is being able to escape the restrictions brought about by epoch and
circumstances. While doing this, current time and conditions must be taken into
consideration so that one is not crushed by them.
Another important factor in
thinking straight is thinking about subject-matter or seeking truths that are not tied to
time and conditions. This will save a person from thinking in fragments and allow for
holistic thinking, which is very important.
However important it is to be free
from the restrictions of time and conditions in order to reach truths not limited by them,
it is also vitally important to take advantage of time and conditions. Just as the number
of truths in our lives that are absolute (i.e. true for everyone all the time and under
all conditions) is small, the number of relative truths (those that change according to
people, time and conditions) is great. Thus, especially in finding truths in this second
group, knowing and diagnosing accurately the times, conditions, and people involved, is
one of the most important paths to thinking straight. Regarding the subject of Islam,
which is a religion that addresses every century, every level, every character and
temperament, and every condition, it is vitally important to know well all the different
epochs, social levels, characters and temperaments in order not to fall into error.
Otherwise, in the name of Islam the door to catastrophe can open and—God
forbid—the danger of man falling within the bounds of reference of the following
verses can arise: Say: ‘Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of
their deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that
they were acquiring good by their works?’ (al-Kahf:103-104) |
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