Awakening and the major questions

If a person went to sleep and then woke up in a different place, it would be reasonable for this person to ask:

• “How did I get here?”
• “Who put me here?”
• “Why was I placed here?”
• “Where will I go next?”

These same questions apply to existence. We did not always exist, yet we suddenly found ourselves alive. The wise ask themselves the great questions. Such individuals are not distracted by worldly concerns but instead remain focused on seeking answers. The heedless, however, are deceived by the life of this world (dunyā) and give little thought to these questions, dying without answers. Others attempt to answer them but arrive at false conclusions and die misguided. Then there are those who recognize the truth and remain steadfast upon it, while others also recognize it but reject it out of arrogance and die opposing the truth.

A person may experience burnout from constantly seeking answers to these existential questions. It is important not to neglect one’s worldly responsibilities and to take rest from time to time. Finding a balance between fulfilling daily duties and pursuing deeper understanding is key to a meaningful and grounded life. Nevertheless, one’s priorities should rest in the search for truth and enlightenment.

Refutation of religious pluralism

Numerous ideologies, philosophies, and religions exist. While religion can also be understood as an ideology or a philosophy, religion is generally centered on the belief and worship of a being, especially one that is considered to have immense power over reality. Religions typically claim to hold absolute truth. Religions contradict each other in their core teachings. While people of different religions may coexist and tolerate each other to a degree, their core teachings cannot be harmonized or reconciled. Therefore:

• only one religion is absolutely true
• no religion is absolutely true

Indeed, multiple religions may possess partial truth, but either one of them can correctly claim absolute truth or none of them can, and there is no alternative. Some assert that all religions ultimately lead to the truth, but this claim is irrational and is often rooted in emotional reasoning. While emotions and feelings have their place, they should not blur an obvious fact: it is not possible for all religions that hold mutually exclusive claims to be entirely correct. Truth and falsehood are distinct, and those who adhere to the truth are in a superior position to those who follow error. We, the Muslims, claim our religion of Islām to have the hold on absolute truth.

Why seek the truth?

Seeking the truth and understanding the ultimate purpose of reality is a pursuit shared across many religious and philosophical traditions. It offers clarity, direction, and a sense of meaning in a world often marked by confusion and distraction. Being on the path to enlightenment is not only about reaching a final destination but also about the personal transformation that occurs along the way. Some faiths teach that actions and intentions shape a person’s next life through the cycle of reincarnation; a life of virtue may lead to a more prestigious life upon death and rebirth, while a life of evil may result in greater suffering and a lower existence in the next life. Other faiths speak of everlasting gains and consequences, such as an eternal abode of peace, contentment, and happiness filled with spiritual, mental, and physical rewards for those who lived by truth or an eternal abode of unbearable anguish for those who turned away.

Indeed, the search for truth and abiding by it is enough of a reward, but this is often not the case for many, who instead prefer more tangible benefits. Is it not enough motivation for a person to avoid perpetual torture by seeking the truth? Some faiths threaten disbelievers with eternal burning. Certainly, people may choose to believe these are empty threats, but consider that these threats did accurately portray reality. How horrifying would it be to imagine that unending punishment, particularly burning, is the fate of many and that people are not only misled but also mislead their loved ones as well? Even more astonishing is how little sleep people lose over this possibility. Moreover, if no religion is true or if the afterlife is not real, then one has nothing to lose; but if what has been mentioned is true, then one has everything to lose.