What is the measure for distinguishing truth from falsehood in all matters of the world?
[AR_ID:3616]
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you. To follow the path of truth and avoid falsehood, it is essential to return to the Holy Quran first, making it our judge, guide, and evidence of the truth. It is the primary source for knowing truth and falsehood, presenting the correct measures for understanding realities. If we err in our thinking and stray onto the wrong path, the Quran will guide us back to the right way and teach us how to reach the truth and avoid falsehood. The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said: 'The examples are presented according to the Book of Allah.' Since the nation has differed in its interpretations and is unable to reach the luminous truths that Allah has entrusted in His glorious Book, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) advised his nation to seek assistance and return to his guiding lineage. Those who hold onto it will be saved, while those who abandon it will be lost. This is mentioned in the well-known Hadith of the Two Weighty Things, where he said: 'I am leaving among you two precious things: the Book of Allah and my family.' Because the distinction between truth and falsehood is narrow, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) warns us about the proximity between them, stating: 'Indeed, there is only four fingers between truth and falsehood. Falsehood is when you say: I heard, and truth is when you say: I saw.' In response to a question about how far truth is from falsehood, he said: 'Four fingers,' placing his hand over his ear and eyes, and said: 'What your eyes have seen is the truth, and what your ears have heard is mostly false.' Applying this noble principle, he said: 'O people, if you know of a bond of faith and a righteous path in your brother, do not listen to the words of the people. Indeed, the archer may aim and miss the target, and the words may be false and lead to ruin. Allah is All-Hearing and All-Witnessing.' In another narration, he said: '...And you are a person confused. The religion of Allah is not known by men; rather, know the truth, and you will know its people.' Thus, the standard and criterion according to Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is that truth is higher than individuals, regardless of their history. The correct understanding is to know truth and falsehood, and based on these, people are measured. May you be successful in all good.