Response to a blog comment: How to be not blind in following religion

Question:
Sir, all that’s been said is logical, I believe. But it is very hard to do that with the mental conditioning you have received as a child. There are so many conflicting opinions that an ignorant person like me finds it very difficult to distinguish right from wrong. It is very difficult for someone like me who is ignorant of the Arabic language to try to interpret God’s word. We have to rely on someone else’s interpretation. I understand you do not disapprove of that, but your point is not to follow someone blindly. But then most of us are doing that. In the absence of knowledge, we have no choice. Certainly some things appear blatantly wrong, but is that because we’ve been brought up in a certain manner, or because some of us have a rebellious tendency, or because they are wrong per se? Who will decide that?

Response:
I can see the points you are making. Let me briefly give you my understanding on the concerns you have raised.

Islam claims to be the true religion of God. Christianity claims to be the true religion of God. Likewise Judaism and so on. How do we come to the conclusion that Islam is the correct religion and others are not? Most of us don’t do any research. We follow the logic of our religion and gradually grow in confidence that our religion makes sense. This is an understandble and sensible approach. However, while following it, an intelligent believer would be acutely aware of the fact that he/she hasn’t researched the issue properly; therefore, it is incumbent upon all such believers not to criticize people belonging to other faiths for believing in their respective faiths. It is also expected of such believers to be open to the messages of other faiths, given that they know that their faith is as yet, not acquired by the influence of the environment and has not been achieved through the conviction of research. That, to me, is the only right approach. The good thing about this approach is that it makes sense no matter what religion you belong to. The bad thing about the other, converse approach is that it doesn’t make sense if you start applying it to peoples belonging to different religions.

What is true about religions is equally true about religious sects within the same religion. Follow your religious point of view so long as it makes sense to you. If the argument of another scholar/group begins to make more sense to you, follow that other scholar/group. If you are confused in the process of deciding, follow your first group as long as you are confused. It is important that you donot shy away from learning about the other views when you know that your own group’s view is not making sense. I don’t see any reason why the other view is likely to be ignored if an intelligent person knows that the one he/she is adhering to, is not convincing. Blocking a new view from influencing you in such a situation would be seriously problematic.

You are right that, at times, you know from inside that certain views expressed in the name of God’s religion are just not acceptable. Create a big question mark in your mind against them. Keep looking for alternative explanations to them. If you do so, one of these two things would happen: You would either know that what you had been informed as God’s teachings were not his teachings, or you would realize that your objection was wrong.

What else could be the right approach? Honestly, none. I mean, if you stick to your guns despite knowing that your understanding is problematic and you show emotions when alternative views are presented on those views, your approach would simply not be jusifiable. I have a strong feeling that such a person would be held responsible in the Almighty’s court as an arrogant, inflexible rejecter of the truth.

The Almighty, it is mentioned in the Qur’an, is least affected if a vast majority people are doing something wrong. Something wrong is wrong, whether no one is committing that wrong, or everyone is. The Qur’an says: “Tell them: What is good cannot be the same as what is bad, even though the predominance of bad might impress you. And fear Allah, O people of understanding so that you may prosper.” (5:100)

[This is Dr. Khalid Zaheer's response to a blog comment.]

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