The Price of Truth

Do you know that this world is brimming over with lies? Because lies are sweet. The truth is bitter. Lies are the demand of the ego, truth is the demand of the Truth (al-Haqq).

The servant came into the world to love the Truth. And one goes to the Truth by way of truth. But just as reaching the beloved is always hard, walking the path of truth is arduous. The price of truth is high.

What price is there on this path? A son may rebel against a father who is on the right path and kill his brother. If it were not so, would Cain have killed Abel? Your wife and child may go astray and perish; if it were not so, would the wife and son of Noah, peace be upon him, have perished?

A wife who loves her vile people may go on loving vileness even though she knows her husband is right; otherwise, would the wife of Lot, peace be upon him, have sighed over the destruction of her tribe sunk in filth?

It is not impossible that they will saw you apart simply because you are on the right path – just remember Zechariah, peace be upon him. However much good you wish for your people, it is quite ordinary for them not to stop doing you harm. Remember the oppression inflicted on Moses, peace be upon him.

Knowing full well how truthful and honest you are, your uncle may become your greatest enemy! Who was Abu Lahab, after all?

But truth has wondrous properties: from the son not merely of an idolater but of an idol-maker a prophet emerged – look at Abraham, peace be upon him!

Your son may even offer his head to the blade – like Ishmael, peace be upon him!

A baby who floated down the river in a cradle and later became a stammerer can, when grown, deliver the punishment of the tyrants – do you remember the story of Moses, peace be upon him?

If you do not shy away from the truth, your wife will lay down her life for you, and even the strongest of your people will become your friends. Look at the lives of Khadijah, Umar, Hamza and Khalid ibn al-Walid, may Allah be pleased with them!

Have you found the truth? Then be magnanimous, be loving, and entrust your heart to the Truth alone. Do not bind your heart to anything but the Truth. Love for the sake of the Truth, hate for the sake of the Truth, live for the sake of the Truth. Torment your soul for those who walk in the Truth; whoever departs from the truth, turn away from them forever – believe me, you will not suffer an atom of anguish.

Akrom MALIK