Category: Spirituality
A student of sacred knowledge from outside Saudi Arabia contacted me inquiring about the secret behind what he perceives as my “emancipation” from the path of extremism, narrow-mindedness, and superficiality, despite circumstances that, in his opinion, should have defined me.
I answered as follows:
By the grace and assistance of Allah:
- Patience in seeking knowledge and a passionate love for truth.
- Complete independence and non-subordination to others.
- Isolation from people, as intermingling has its effects.
- Fearlessness in deviating from the norm when the truth becomes clear.
- Proclaiming the truth and not concealing it, for truth guides to truth. [The truth] almost forsakes you by preventing you from continuing in its guidance when you forsake it out of fear of people.
- Deep faith that the truth is dominating [by its essence], and that it will prevail, sooner or later.
- The [sheer] honor of truth and the triumph it brings about through evidence and arguments provides a pleasure that surpasses worldly pleasures. Those who have tasted it and witnessed the humiliation of falsehood and the defeat of its adherents in the face of its proofs are strengthened in their boldness and persistence in dedicating themselves to spreading knowledge and truth.
Al-Sharif Hatim Al-'Awni 