Hawzah News Agency – The Almighty God states in the Holy Quran:
«قُلْ لَا یَسْتَوِی الْخَبِیثُ وَالطَّیِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَکَ کَثْرَةُ الْخَبِیثِ.»
"Say, ‘The good and the bad are not equal, though the abundance of the bad should amaze you.’" (Ma'idah; 5: 100)
Explanation:
At times, when making decisions or choosing a path—especially in matters of belief—individuals are influenced by the sheer number and clamor of a group, following their lead and even branding the views of a minority as false. In other words, their sole criterion for selection is mass appeal (popularity).
However, in the logic of Islam, majority does not equate to superiority, nor does a minority signify falsehood. The standard for superiority is “the Truth.”
Therefore, since “the Truth” is introduced as the criterion—not “numerical strength”—we must first recognize the Truth itself and then judge others by this scale. It is for this reason that the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali, peace be upon him, states:
«اَلْحَقُّ لاَ یُعْرَفُ بِالرِّجَالِ اِعْرِفِ اَلْحَقَّ تَعْرِفْ أَهْلَهُ.»
“Truth is not known by [the status of] men. Recognize the Truth first, and then you will know its people.” (Rawdhatul Wa'idhin, v. 1, p. 31)
The significance of the Truth and the necessity of accepting it is such that Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, says:
«خُذُوا الْحَقَّ مِنْ اَهْلِ الْباطِلِ وَ لا تَأْخُذُوا الْباطِلَ مِنْ اَهْلِ الْحَقِّ.»
“Take the truth from those who follow falsehood, but do not take falsehood from those who follow the truth.” (Al-Mahasin, v. 1, p. 229)
Yet, what complicates this is that accepting the Truth is sometimes bitter, while accepting falsehood is often beneficial to one’s personal interests; thus, one might prefer the sweetness of the latter over the bitterness of the former. This is why Imam Ali, peace be upon him, advises:
«اِصْبِرْ عَلَی مَضَضِ مَرَارَةِ اَلْحَقِّ وَ إِیَّاکَ أَنْ تَنْخَدِعَ لِحَلاَوَةِ اَلْبَاطِلِ.»
“Endure the bitterness of the Truth, and beware of being deceived by the sweetness of falsehood.” (Ghurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 149)
A wise person never attaches their heart to ephemeral and transient matters, nor do they allow themselves to be imprisoned by the superficial sweetness of such things. Falsehood belongs to this category, as God Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
«إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ کَانَ زَهُوقًا»
"Indeed falsehood is bound to vanish." (Isra'; 17: 81)
Furthermore, once the Truth and the path of guidance are recognized, one should not fear or despair due to a lack of companions. On this, Imam Ali, peace be upon him, states:
«أَیُّهَا النَّاسُ، لَا تَسْتَوْحِشُوا فِی طَرِیقِ الْهُدَی لِقِلَّةِ أَهْلِهِ، فَإِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَی مَائِدَةٍ شِبَعُهَا قَصِیرٌ وَ جُوعُهَا طَوِیلٌ.»
“O people! Do not feel lonely on the path of truth because of the fewness of those who travel it; for people have gathered around a table [of worldly gain] whose satiety is brief, and whose hunger is lasting and long.” (Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermon no. 201)
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