Page 44 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

Acting Upon Conjecture

In the state of heedlessness, logic and reasoning are seldom resorted to. This is indeed a
bizarre state of mind that can be defined as being half-asleep, half-awake. The heedless person
easily becomes involved in irrational deeds. The life of such a person becomes a sequence of
illogical deeds and the grave consequences he has to suffer.
One of the basic principles of logic is not to put implicit trust in anything, which is not
based on sound reasoning. No man of intelligence bases his life on a system which is inherently
of a dubious nature. For instance, no one randomly takes a pill assuming that “it might bring
relief”. All actions should rest on ascertainable facts.
However, unbelievers, or those who associate partners with Allah, assume this kind of
unwise attitude. That is solely because their lives are entirely based on certain presumptions.
For instance, almost all unbelievers presume that judgment will not be passed on them on
judgment day. Or even if judgment is passed, they will be found innocent. All the systems and
ideologies they embrace, likewise rest on unfounded beliefs. Their viewpoint about the world is
not based on genuine grounds.
The Surat’Al-Kahf, tells the story of two men, one an unbeliever who bases his life on
unfounded conjectures and suppositions, and the other a believer:
Set forth to them the parable of two men: for one of them We provided two gardens of
grape-vines and surrounded them with date palms; in between the two We placed
corn-fields. Each of those gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least
therein: in the midst of them We caused a river to flow. (Abundant) was the produce
this man had : he said to his companion, in the course of an argument: I have more
wealth than you, and more honour and power in (my following of) men.” He went
into his garden in a state (of mind) unjust to his soul: He said, “Surely this will never
perish, Nor do I believe that the hour (of judgment) will (ever) come. Even if I am
brought back to my Lord, I shall surely find (there) something better in exchange.”
(Al-Kahf, 32-36)

The statements in the above verses are striking. The unbeliever dares to say : “Surely this
will never perish, Nor do I believe that the hour (of judgment) will (ever) come. Even if I am
brought back to my Lord, I shall surely find (there) something better in exchange.” This was a
blatant assumption. He had no evidence whatsoever to verify his assumption. Yet, the owner of
the garden persisted in voicing his groundless views. However, his end matched his attitude: his
garden was utterly ruined. The story continues as follows:

His companion said to him, in the course of the argument: “Do you deny Him Who
created you out of dust, then out of a sperm-drop, then fashioned you into a man? But
(I think) for my part that He is Allah, My Lord, and none shall I associate with my
Lord. Why did you not, as you went into your garden, say: ‘Allah’s will (be done)!
There is no power but with Allah!’ If you see me less than you in wealth and sons, it
may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and that He will
send down on your garden thunderbolts (by way of reckoning) from heaven, making it
(but) slippery sand!- Or the water of the garden will drain off underground so that you
will never be able to find it.” So his fruits (and enjoyment) were destroyed and he
remained wringing his hands over what he had spent on his property, which had
(now) tumbled to pieces to its very foundations, and he could only say, “Woe is me!
Would that I had never ascribed partners to my Lord and Cherisher!” Neither had he
anyone to help him against Allah, nor was he able to deliver himself. In such ordeals
the (only) protection comes from Allah, the True One. He is the best to reward, and
the best to give success. (Al-Kahf, 37-44)