TRUE STANDARDS AND FALSE STANDARDS
One significant drawback of an imitative mindset is its inability to recognize truth on its own merits. Instead, individuals with such a mindset identify truth through their revered figures, making these figures their primary point of reference. Whatever their assumed elders declare as truth is accepted without question. Conversely, when someone outside their circle of reverence presents a matter—regardless of the strength of evidence—they remain unwilling to accept it. This stems from their lack of their ability to discern and embrace truth based solely on evidence.
This has been the single most significant reason for the rejection of prophets in every era. A prophet would appear to his contemporaries as an unfamiliar figure—someone outside the lineage of their presumed revered ancestors. As a result, they could not grant him the status of an important or noteworthy person during his lifetime. Furthermore, when the prophet criticized their beloved figures, they became even more infuriated and refused to consider his message seriously.
The fundamental difference between an imitative mind and an independent mind lies in their approach to truth. People with an imitative mindset recognize truth only through personalities, while those with an independent mindset can discern and accept truth based on pure reasoning.
This difference results in those with imitative mindsets being deprived of what holds the utmost importance in religion: faith that arises from realization. The wellspring of such faith lies in self-discovery. Those with imitative mindsets fail to think independently, and as a result, they remain unacquainted with the true essence of Islam.
In contrast, individuals with an independent mindset are fundamentally different. Their minds remain open to reflection and thought. They have the capability to recognize truth as soon as it becomes evident and to embrace it without hesitation.
In today’s world, the greatest achievement for any individual is the discovery of truth. Realizing that one has found the truth is undoubtedly life’s greatest blessing. However, this blessing is reserved for those with an independent mindset. Those trapped in the darkness of an imitative mindset can never experience truth as understood through maarifat (realization).
