Don’t Follow The Majority — Follow The Truth:
When a large number of other Muslims begin to practice their religion in a way that is un-Islamic — incorporating cultural or traditional practices that are not part of the faith — We must have the courage to stand for what is right. Even if we must, stand-alone. Because we are here to Follow Allah(swt), not people.
If We study the course and trend in history, we will find that the position of Truth is indeed almost always embraced by a small minority of Believers who are often among the poor, the needy, and the unfortunate. The story of Taloot (David) who faced the tyrant Jaloot (Golaith) conveys to us that the number of adherents who believed in David and who did not drink from the stream as he instructed were few.
Allah (swt) presents this story in the Quran and highlights — that the party of good can gain victory over the party of evil — even if they are Few with the help of Allah (swt) so long as the Believers have patience and steadfastness on that path.
One of the concept of Blind Followers is that “Minority in Islam can never be Right”. This is often seen that an individual adopt the practices and rituals of the sorrounding where one is brought up. He/she accept believes of what has been taught by their Forefathers or preached by their religious leaders.
The Quran negates the concepts of such people in clear way,
“And when it is said to them, Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger, they say: That on which we Found our Fathers is sufficient for us. What! even though their Fathers knew nothing and did not Follow the right way”.(5:104)
The characteristics of the people of the Days of Ignorance are that they would view the majority as proof that something was True and the minority as proof that something was False.
So according to them, whatever the majority of the people were upon, that was the Truth. And whatever the minority was upon, that was not the Truth. In their eyes, this was the balance used to determine Truth from Falsehood.
The Messenger (saw) was sent while the whole world was submersed in disbelief and misguidance. And when he called the people, only one or two answered his call. It was only until later on that they grew to be many.
The Tribe of Quraish, not to mention the whole of the Arabian Peninsula and the whole world, was upon misguidance. And the Messenger of Allah (saw) was the only one calling the people. So those who followed him were few concerning the entire world.
So consideration is not given to the majority. Consideration is only given to what is correct and to achieving the truth. Yes, if the majority of the people are correct, then that is good. However, the way of Allah is that the majority of the people is always upon Falsehood.
And most of mankind will not Believe even if you desire it eagerly.
(Surah Yusuf:103)
Quran Few Verses — On The Majority:
….And if you obey most of those on the earth they will lead you away from the path of God; that is because they follow conjecture, and that is because they only guess.(6:116)
…The majority do not Believe (in The One God) (2:100) …Majority are ungrateful.(2:243) …Majority actually do not know.(27:61)
And He says: And most of them We found to be not true to their covenant, but most of them We found indeed to be evil sinners.(Surah Al-A’raaf, ayah 102)
So the Balance is not the majority and the minority. Rather, the Balance is the Truth. So whoever is upon the Truth – even if he is by himself – he is the one who is correct and deserves to be emulated. And if the majority of the people are upon Falsehood, then it is obligatory to reject them and not be deceived by them. So consideration is given to the Truth.
This is why the scholars say: “Truth is not known by way of men, but rather men are known by way of the truth.” So whoever is upon the truth, then he is the one we must follow and emulate.
And in a Hadeeth in which the Nations were presented to the Prophet, he (saw) said that he saw a prophet who had a small group of Followers with him, and a Prophet who had a man or two men Following him, and another Prophet who had no one with him. (Sahih Al-Bukhari).
So consideration is not given to which opinion or view has the most Followers. Rather, consideration is given to its being either True or False. So whatever is true, even though a minority of the people or no one is upon it – so long as it is the Truth – it must be adhered to — For indeed it is Salvation.
Falsehood is not aided by the Fact that it has a majority of people Following it – ever. This is a determining measure that the Muslim must always abide by.
“And indeed, he did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did you not, then use your intellect / reason (tAQLun)”?(36:62)
Many Will Blame Their Leaders On The Day Of Judgement:
“And they will say: O our Sustainer! Behold, we paid heed to our leaders and our great men, and it is they who have led us astray from the right path”.(33:67)
Quran emphasizes the Reader to use Intellect and Reason. Therefore each soul despite being part of a wider inclusive social group is ultimately only responsible for itself.
The Nature of mankind is to resist change that goes against one’s zone of comfort and personal inclinations — Man is typically Hesitant to Follow a Religion or School of Thought which requires patience and perseverance to uphold the Truth.
Hence, it is not surprising that there is an Immense Reward from Allah (swt) For those who embrace the Faith and uphold its pure principles, even if there are Thorns and Needles in that Divine path.
JazakAllah (May Allah reward you with goodness)for reading.
Kindly Follow & subscribe to receive latest insightful stories by email.