The Search For The Truth pdf download

The Search for The Truth

THE SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH

Book contents

• Introduction
• The Beginning
• A Different Religion?
• The Interest Arises
• The Opposition
• The Way Out
• This is it, But!
• The Urge is Strong
• Another Move
• One More Move
• The Big Move
• The Slavery to Allah Alone
• But They will Come!
• References

The Beginning

No one can tell the story of Salman better than he himself. Sal- man  narrated his story to one of the companions and a close relative of the Prophet Muhammad ² by the name of Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas, who in turn narrated it to others.³ Ibn ‘Abbaas said,

Salman said, “I was a Persian man from the people of Is- fahaan⁴ from a town known as Jayi. My father was the town chief.

To him, I was the most beloved creature of Allah. His love for me reached the point to which he trusted me to supervise the fire⁵ he lit. He would not let it die down.”

This is an indication of good behavior of a son towards his father. Here Salman used the correct name of the true God, Allah. The name Allah is the same name used by all of the Prophets and Messengers. Allah is the same name of God in the Aramaic language of our beloved Prophet Jesus.

A Different Religion?

“My father owned a large area of fertile land. One day, while busy with his construction, he told me to go to his land and fulfill some chores he desired. On my way to his land, I came across a Christian church. I heard the sound of people praying inside.

I did not know how people lived outside, for my father kept me confined to his house! So when I came across those people [of the church] and I heard their voices, I went inside to watch what they were doing.”

Interest Arises

“When I saw them, I liked their prayers and became in- terested in their matter [i.e., religion]. I said [to myself], ‘By Allah, this religion is better than that of ours.’ ”

Salman kept an open mind, free from blind imitation.

“By Allah, I did not leave them until sunset. I did not go to my father’s Land.”

Salman gave himself the time to contemplate this religion which he, at that point, thought was the correct belief. A perceptive and kind heart charged with patience are virtues which are necessary to free oneself from being confined to a thought such as, “O well! I will try to find out, but I’m too busy now,” etc. Death may knock at the door sooner than one may hope.

“I asked [i.e., the people of the church]. ‘From where did this religion originate?’ ”

Seeking the ‘origin’ is a guide for those in search of the true relig- ion. The ‘origin’ and ‘essence’ are essential terms that help in the search process. What is the ‘origin’ of Islam and what is its es- sence? Islam came from Allah, the Creator, the True God, and its essence is submission to Him .⁶

“They said, ‘In ash-Shaam.’⁷ I returned to my father who had become worried and sent [someone] after me. Upon my arrival, he said, ‘O son! Where have you been? Didn’t I entrust you with an assignment?’

I said, ‘O my father, I came across some people praying in their church and I liked their religion. By Allah I stayed with them until sunset.’ ”

This is amazing honesty shown by a person who knows well his father’s commitment to his religion. This is the kind of openness which one who is in search for the truth must have.

The Opposition

“My father said, ‘O Son! There is no good in that relig- ion, the religion of you and your forefathers’ is better.’ ”

This is the theme of all those who blindly follow others in mat- ters of faith. It reminds us of the saying of Allah,

6 This symbol represents the phrase ‘Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa’ which means: May Allah be exalted from what the disbelievers associate with Him. Out of respect, Muslims state this phrase after mentioning the Name of Allah.

7 Ash-Shaam: The Levant. It encompasses the areas known today as Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan.

“And those who disbelieve say, ‘Do not listen to this Qur’aan, rather speak noisily during [the recitation of] it, that perhaps you will overcome.’ ” [Surah al-Fussilat (41):26]

“We found our fathers following a certain way and re- ligion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.” [Surah al-Zukhruf (43):22]

“Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers (following)…” [Surah Luqman:(31):21]

“Never did we hear of this among our fathers of the old.” [Surah al-Mu’minoon (23):24]

Many times, when you talk to people who have converted to Is- lam from other religions, they say that they heard the same arguments which Allah mentioned of the disbelievers. The issue is the same. It comes in the form of, “Do you want to leave the religion of your fathers and forefathers?” Not only that, but the parents and the family at large may take a stand against the convert.

The magnitude of this opposition may range from actual life threaten- ing situations to strong boycotting. This is the general trend, but there are, however, cases of minor opposition and neutrality.

“I said, ‘No, by Allah, it is better than our religion.’ ”

He loved his father, but he did not flatter him. He didn’t com- promise about what he felt at that time as the truth. What was his father’s response?

Salman said, “He threatened me, chained me by my feet and kept me confined to his home.”

A father torturing his beloved son to sway him away from exploring the truth! Many prophets were opposed, accused, and ill- treated by members of their own families because of their opposition to ‘known tradition’! Did Salman stop there?

The Way Out