Page 24 - Those Who Do Not Heed The Qur'an

22 THOSE WHO DO NOT HEED THE QUR'AN

tells us how people stuck in the status quo respond when called to
the faith:
A Book whose verses have been demarcated for people who
know as an Arabic Qur'an, bringing good news and giving
warning; but most of them have turned away and do not hear.
They say, "Our hearts are covered up against what you call us to
and there is a heaviness in our ears. There is a screen between us
and you. So act—we are certainly acting." (Surah Fussilat: 3-5)

To have an incorrect idea about a worldly matter may not cause
them serious damage, but a fixed idea that causes people to ignore
the teachings of Allah is a very serious danger that can take them to
the flames of hell. Everybody needs to strive to avoid falling into
such a position. In fact the call to the Qur'an is an opportunity for
people to cleanse themselves of their superstitious, mistaken and in-
correct ideas. In such circumstances the intelligent way to behave is
to listen to the person making the call, to read the book of truth
which is offered and to evaluate it with commonsense. An open-
minded person with a conscience who sees that the Qur'an is bring-
ing more truthful ideas than the ones he currently holds will
abandon his own ideas without any hesitation.
Indeed, constant searching for something better is built into the
human constitution. People are drawn to better ideas, opinions, and
points of view. But godlessness makes close-mindedness (which is
contrary to human nature) seem reasonable and causes the person
to be attached to outworn ideas; they are prevented from examining
events as they need to, making significant steps forward and deep-
seated changes.
We can compare this mentality to the insistence of a person on
travelling with a horse and cart, when there are more efficient and
modern means of transport available, such as cars, trains, aircraft